Epic movie of A. H. Tammsaare's epic novel published 1926.
Mirror of the Estonian's soul - the history, lifestyle and point of view to everything we all Estonians come.
I'm proud we had such a masterpiece in 2019.
"What a man will do when he has lost his way in life?"
8.0Plot summary
Estonia, 1870. Young and staunch Andres along with his wife Krõõt arrive at a farm bought on a loan to establish their new life. Desolate and neglected between the marshes, Robber's Rise must be transformed into a place that will take care of the family. All they have to do is to break the resistance of the barren land, make his neighbour cooperate, and raise an heir - a son to inherit his father's life's work. But when nature refuses to bend, the neighbour turns out to be a roughneck rival, and Krõõt keeps giving birth to daughters, Andres struggles to find the right way. In his desperate search for truth and justice - from the court, the tavern and the Bible, he sacrifices his family, his friends and eventually himself. The beautiful dream of prosperous and nurturing Robber's Rise gives way to an obsession, resulting in none of the things Andres wanted and everything he was afraid of.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 1.48 GB
1280*534
Estonian 2.0
NR
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
Our truth and justice
Reviewed by
A bright-line and versatile Estonian film
The novel behind the script is old and famous in Estonia, but most of depictions of these hard times in Estonian rural history have been traditional, like dramatic plays on screen. Tanel Toom, using his talent and know-how obtained from UK, has created a really Western film, with smart angles and frames, making all performers (regardless of their age, track record, etc.) act skilfully and convincingly. Unlike in most Estonian films, even tragic and sad events are not totally burdensome - they are part of life and life goes on / one has to move on, particularly if having a family.... This film was an Estonian candidate for Academy Award, but it did not reach Top5, alas. Nevertheless, it is a good film (having the biggest No. of viewers in Estonia last year),and many local foreigners who saw it told that now they understand Estonian "spirit" more than before. Besides, the film includes e.g. several Shakespearian motives and observations, so it is not very country-based, enabling to understand it by those without Estonian connections.
Reviewed by
a parable, maybe
I admitt, I do not know the novel. But the film represents one of magnificent definitions of life. About family, rivalry, ambitions, death, illusions, Bible and hard work and propriety and fury and children and deep loneliness and about the clash against the pure truth. i saw it as a sort of parable. And, no doubts, it is one. But, in same measure, it is a film keeping the viewer as part of it. And that makes it just great.