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Andrei Rublev
8.0

Andrei Rublev (1966)

Dec 16, 1966 3h 3m Drama History

An expansive Russian drama, this film focuses on the life of revered religious icon painter Andrei Rublev. Drifting from place to place in a tumultuous era, the peace-seeking monk eventually gains a reputation for his art. But after Rublev witnesses a brutal battle and unintentionally becomes involved, he takes a vow of silence and spends time away from his work. As he begins to ease his troubled soul, he takes steps towards becoming a painter once again.

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Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Andrei Tarkovsky
Writer
  • Andrei Tarkovsky
  • Andrei Konchalovsky
Producer
  • Tamara Ogorodnikova

Reviews

CinemaSerf
7/10

Later canonised (in 1988!), this tells the story of the renowned Russian iconographist and fresco painter. His actual life, as you might expect from the early 15th century, is not well documented so Andrei Tarkovsky has, forgive the pun, a pretty blank canvas on which to draw us a portrait of the trials and tribulations of this inspired, misunderstood, suspected and troubled soul. It has an octuple, episodic, narrative that marries his own development as a man and an artist with the quite literally revolutionary goings on as his country is, frequently quite brutally, coming into some some semblance of cohesive existence. It focuses on the role of the church in this most religious, and superstitious, of nations and offers us a much less aggressive correlation between the communist Soviet threads so often prevalent in sate backed movies made at the time and of those iconic figures so prominent in Russian history. The imagery is creatively bamboozling at times; the story doesn't follow any linear a-b-c narrative and we are presented with an oblique interpretation not just of his life, but of life in an embryonic nation that is emerging from an almost primitive existence - and that is fascinating (if not always easy to follow and/or comprehend). It is the vision of the man in the title, but also of the man behind the camera - a startlingly effective sequence of beautifully photographed concepts that offer layers of complexities depicting human nature in pretty much all of it's guises. Surprisingly, for a film in excess of three hours, it flows effortlessly with Anatoliy Solonitsyn conveying an overwhelming sense of humanity with his character. If you can ever see it on a cinema screen, then it is definite a must - especially the last ten minutes or so which demonstrate (in glorious colour) some of his magnificent artistry.

Jun 8, 2022

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Andrei Rublev examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Andrei Tarkovsky brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1966, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Andrei Rublev took approximately 4 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 183 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 217 minutes long.
  • The film contains approximately 2010 individual shots.
  • The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.

Historical Context

  • In 1966, when this film was released:
  • Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
  • The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

While Andrei Rublev shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Metropolis, which focuses more on action than character development, Andrei Rublev subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Apocalypse Now and Talk to Her explore similar territory, Andrei Rublev stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: December 16, 1966
  • Runtime: 3h 3m
  • Revenue: $24,173

Where to Watch

Criterion Channel

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