The film was interesting and watchable, but lacked focus regarding the central characters and the love story, which a film like this seems to require.
If one compares it to the similar film Dr Zhivago, David Lean was able to articulate the political events in a convincing and intelligent manner, and at the same time provide us with a moving love story as the central focus of the movie. Cameron's 1997 Titanic succeeded in a similar way.
But the Admiral lacks the narrative structure of Zhivago and Titanic, and seems to jump around haphazzardly between history, patriotism, heroism and love, never giving us a chance to see how the love developed. We are simply not brought close enough to the real lives of the characters, nor are we really presented with believable characters who we can relate to. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that is is based on a true story and they didn't want to invent too much, like Cameron did in Titanic. But then why the stereotyped heroics? In the first battle-scene Admiral Kolchak is a fearless, brazen Russian, completely nonchalant as his ship was bombarded with shells and the bodies of his own crew members were reduced to bloody pulps. He merely thrusts his chin out, and calmly fires the ships small powder gun at the bridge of the attacking vessel, disabling it. This and further heroics is entertaining heroic stuff, but not very plausible or realistic.
The film picks up when the revolution begins, and from then on holds us with suspense and excitement. The historical murders by the Bolshiviks are brought home with grisly detail. Computer graphic effects are used subtly in this film, but to great effect.
Konstantin Khabenskiy, who plays Kolchak, enthralls us, and the final scenes on the Trans-Siberian train to Irkutsk, and his eventual betrayal, are memorable.
Definitely a film worth watching, but it shouldn't be called a love story because the drama is focused on the tragic and brutal events perpetrated by the Bolsheviks, and long, suffering march by kolchak's army. In the end it's the story of a good man, who fought hard and bravely for his country, only to be murdered by his own countryman. Good to see that Russia can make films like this now, and that it is beginning to show a different perspective on the events of the revolution.
If one compares it to the similar film Dr Zhivago, David Lean was able to articulate the political events in a convincing and intelligent manner, and at the same time provide us with a moving love story as the central focus of the movie. Cameron's 1997 Titanic succeeded in a similar way.
But the Admiral lacks the narrative structure of Zhivago and Titanic, and seems to jump around haphazzardly between history, patriotism, heroism and love, never giving us a chance to see how the love developed. We are simply not brought close enough to the real lives of the characters, nor are we really presented with believable characters who we can relate to. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that is is based on a true story and they didn't want to invent too much, like Cameron did in Titanic. But then why the stereotyped heroics? In the first battle-scene Admiral Kolchak is a fearless, brazen Russian, completely nonchalant as his ship was bombarded with shells and the bodies of his own crew members were reduced to bloody pulps. He merely thrusts his chin out, and calmly fires the ships small powder gun at the bridge of the attacking vessel, disabling it. This and further heroics is entertaining heroic stuff, but not very plausible or realistic.
The film picks up when the revolution begins, and from then on holds us with suspense and excitement. The historical murders by the Bolshiviks are brought home with grisly detail. Computer graphic effects are used subtly in this film, but to great effect.
Konstantin Khabenskiy, who plays Kolchak, enthralls us, and the final scenes on the Trans-Siberian train to Irkutsk, and his eventual betrayal, are memorable.
Definitely a film worth watching, but it shouldn't be called a love story because the drama is focused on the tragic and brutal events perpetrated by the Bolsheviks, and long, suffering march by kolchak's army. In the end it's the story of a good man, who fought hard and bravely for his country, only to be murdered by his own countryman. Good to see that Russia can make films like this now, and that it is beginning to show a different perspective on the events of the revolution.