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      The Saratov Approach

      PG-13 Released Oct 9, 2013 1h 47m Drama Mystery & Thriller List
      60% 5 Reviews Tomatometer 87% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score In 1998, two Mormon missionaries (Corbin Allred, Maclain Nelson) in Russia are kidnapped, beaten and held for ransom. Read More Read Less

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      The Saratov Approach

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      Critics Reviews

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      Louis Black Austin Chronicle In so many ways the film would be more interesting if it were more ambitious, but on its own terms it is surprisingly strong. Rated: 2.5/5 Jan 30, 2014 Full Review Gary Goldstein Los Angeles Times Uneven acting, some trite dialogue and several overplayed emotional beats flatten instead of round out the storytelling here. Jan 9, 2014 Full Review Josh Terry Deseret News (Salt Lake City) The final result is suspenseful, faith-promoting and very entertaining. Nov 30, 2017 Full Review Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue There's not as much suspense as the premise suggests, thanks to a bloated middle section that's more concerned with religious reflection than practical negotiation. Jan 31, 2014 Full Review Bruce Bennett Spectrum (St. George, Utah) A riveting tale that affirms the faith of the already converted without insulting the intelligence of the skeptic who primarily wants a high-caliber movie. Rated: B Oct 25, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Spoilers: I wouldn't rip it for having religious themes because it seemed both organic and authentic, if a bit overly earnest, but that, too, is reflective of this culture, where young people venture out to the "missions," to spread their word. People live this way. As for a story narrative, it did drag, and this is a "based on" story, so we don't know how much is true, how much is embellished. Russian criminals don't seem to be all that willing to change, as I think of Putin, the war criminal of our time. But I suppose a replica tattoo could push one over the line if he is close to relenting on killing the pair anyway. The family decided not to pay the ransom dough in order to protect others, and the pair decided not to bash the captor and to die to keep others from facing the same thing, which were heroic decisions. The main characters sold the roles pretty well. Their continuation of the mission afterward reminded me of something I saw from a Ukrainian soldier who was asked if he is afraid of dying. He said, "I die, you die, we all die, it's not so important when we die, it's important what you are doing when you die." Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member A great movie showing a very unique experience of two missionaries that get kidnapped. Spiritually enlightening. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Best movie ever!! Scary, intense, and you can feel the spirit. I can’t believe what happened to these lds missionaries! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/19 Full Review Audience Member https://sites.google.com/view/ttbreviews/our-company/the-saratov-approach Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Suspencful, heart wrenching and highly entertaining. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Are you guys serious? This is a mormon propaganda movie. There's a lot that does not stack up here and the movie clearly was not shot in Russia. There was a witness to their first encounter with Nikolaj; a priest was watching them as they walked towards the apartment 105; they got directions from another guy. Russian police are not dumb. They can follow leads. Furthermore, if you add up all the probabilities, they were unlikely to be shot, even when the kidnappers realized that they were not going to get paid. 4 years for kidnapping is a lot better than life for murder. Could have been a good movie but they had to make out this was "God's plan". The only convincing aspect of the movie was the anguish of the parents and the communal prayer that crossed denominations. Finally, when is Hollywood going to stop using the "backwards R" in the Russian alphabet which actually makes the sound "ya"? Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1998, two Mormon missionaries (Corbin Allred, Maclain Nelson) in Russia are kidnapped, beaten and held for ransom.
      Director
      Garrett Batty
      Screenwriter
      Garrett Batty
      Distributor
      Purdie Distribution
      Production Co
      Saratov Films, Three Coin Productions
      Rating
      PG-13 (Some Violence)
      Genre
      Drama, Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 9, 2013, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Feb 14, 2017
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $2.1M
      Runtime
      1h 47m
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