MatthewVanitas
Member
Just finished watching one that's been on my "to watch" list for years: White Sun of the Desert.
I believe it falls in the "Red Western" category: films made in the Soviet Bloc, which were heavily influenced by American Westerns. Some were actual cowboy films shot on the plains in Hungary, etc., while others were films with Western-style plotlines, set in Soviet Central Asia.
WSotD was one of the latter: the story of a lone-wolf Soviet officer wandering in Central Asia, had much resonance with American West themes of loyalty, perseverance, etc. It was really intriguing to see that strange mix of Soviet and Muslim mentalities melded into a Western plot. You could kind of squint and see the classic "burned out drunk sherrif who no longer enforces the law" character in the Tsarist customs clerk. Scenery was bizarre as well: set on the shore of the Caspian sea, so huge expanses of desert, ancient fortresses and mosques, contrasting with Soviet oil rigs and bright blue ocean.
The guns in the film were pretty interesting, being carried by Central Asian bandits, post-Tsarist sell-outs, and far-flung Soviet patrols. Lots of Moisin Nagants (many carbines?), Nagant revolvers, of course. But also tons of C96 Broomhandle Mausers, various revos (did I see a S&W Russian in one scene?), an RPD machinegun, and a Lewis gun. Also one brief scene with a lever-rifle.
If you're into odd foreign films, unusual historical time/places, or are curious about images of Central Asian (Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan), it's a decent little film. Anyone else seen it? Any better descriptions of the guns in the film?
-MV
I believe it falls in the "Red Western" category: films made in the Soviet Bloc, which were heavily influenced by American Westerns. Some were actual cowboy films shot on the plains in Hungary, etc., while others were films with Western-style plotlines, set in Soviet Central Asia.
WSotD was one of the latter: the story of a lone-wolf Soviet officer wandering in Central Asia, had much resonance with American West themes of loyalty, perseverance, etc. It was really intriguing to see that strange mix of Soviet and Muslim mentalities melded into a Western plot. You could kind of squint and see the classic "burned out drunk sherrif who no longer enforces the law" character in the Tsarist customs clerk. Scenery was bizarre as well: set on the shore of the Caspian sea, so huge expanses of desert, ancient fortresses and mosques, contrasting with Soviet oil rigs and bright blue ocean.
The guns in the film were pretty interesting, being carried by Central Asian bandits, post-Tsarist sell-outs, and far-flung Soviet patrols. Lots of Moisin Nagants (many carbines?), Nagant revolvers, of course. But also tons of C96 Broomhandle Mausers, various revos (did I see a S&W Russian in one scene?), an RPD machinegun, and a Lewis gun. Also one brief scene with a lever-rifle.
If you're into odd foreign films, unusual historical time/places, or are curious about images of Central Asian (Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan), it's a decent little film. Anyone else seen it? Any better descriptions of the guns in the film?
-MV