Rating: 
Summary: Shameless propaganda but a classic nontheless
Review: Like one of the other reviewers, I own the BMG laserdisc, with the completely remastered soundtrack. Therefore, I can only comment on the movie in general, not this particular DVD. Having said that, I strongly recommend the movie to any viewer with a taste for classic cinema. In my opinion, it is epic storytelling of the highest order. The character of Nevsky appears early and is made larger than life from the outset. Anyone looking for complex characters won't find them here - the focus is on storytelling (and just a bit of political propaganda) and the clearcut portrayal of good vs. evil. It's a nice break from life's ambiguities. There can be no doubt that the entire film is in large part a backdrop for the battle scene on the ice. And what a scene! The creative imagery combined with Prokofiev's masterful music made a lasting impression on me, and, like a great work of music, I found the scene so artistically complex and effective, that no matter how many times I watch it, it never loses its appeal. Equally moving is the following section of the movie, where, in the dim light, a young woman makes her way among the bodies of the fallen soldiers, looking for her own beloved hero. A heartbreaking soprano aria accompanies her. This scene, more than all the rest, makes clear just how integral the music is to the movie's substance; at times it almost seems like an opera written for the screen (except that the actors don't actually sing). Sentimentality flows like water, but at least molded in the finest romantic Russian tradition. For simple, effective storytelling, grandiose heroism, unforgetable imagery, and as perfect a synthesis of music and drama as ever graced the screen, I think this film is hard to beat. And while the movie may have lost some of the immediacy and relevance it had for the Russians of the thirties, faced with having to fend off yet another hostile German invasion, the movie touches on some social/political themes which are still very relevant today. Unprovoked military aggression is thwarted; arrogant, self-righteous religious fanaticism is humbled; and cowardly sedition is held up as the worst possible evil. The movie even makes an argument for feminism, since the honour of highest valour is given to a woman soldier. If the movie has any serious failings at all, I haven't found them. True, the political "message" is at times so blatantly crude as to seem almost comic. But the movie is, after all, a creature of its time, and was funded by the Soviet government, who I'm sure cared far more about the film's political effect than its artistic merit. Happy for us that Eisenstein was able to marry the two, and achieve the first without compromising the second. All in all, it's a film that I treasure as one of the most prized in my collection. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: A Review for Alexander Nevsky
Review: This is a Russian film released in 1938, just before the start of World War II. Although the film features battle sequences between the Germans and Russians, it is not about World War II. It is set in the 13th century cities of Pskov and Novgorod. Alexander Nevsky is the prince and a famous war leader who previously defeated the Swedes when they tried to invade Russia. The film has very strong images (and songs) of Russian patriotism, and is probably one of the reasons it was so popular when it was released. Since the Russians were preparing to fight the Germans once again in WWII, this film was likely a morale-booster for the soldiers and the public alike.The opening sequences of the film feature beautiful cinematography. Alexander Nevsky and his men are fishing on a lake when a band of Mongols crosses their path. The Russians have just fought a war with the Mongols and so some fighting ensues as the Mongols pass by the Russians. Alexander Nevsky, irritated with this commotion as it is scaring the fish away, breaks up the fight. Some of the Mongol leaders recognize him as the man who defeated the Swedes and invite him to become a general in their army. He replies with an old Russian saying that it is better to die than to leave your homeland, giving yet another shot in the arm to Russian patriotism. After the Mongols depart, one of Alexander's men comes up to him and warns him that they may have to battle the Mongols yet again. However, Alexander brushes this warning aside and advises that the Germans will have to be defeated before the Mongols. Next, we move on to the city of Pskov. The Germans have already taken over this city and are holding the surviving Russians captive. The men are tied up in the center of the city while the women and children look on. The site of the German army is actually rather amusing. The Germans are dressed up in sheets, somewhat reminiscent of the garb members of the Ku Klux Klan are famous for wearing. Regular German infantry soldiers have buckets on their heads with cross cutouts allowing for them to see out. The German nobility also have buckets on their heads but they get specials horns and other decorative regalia. This is probably the most graphic and disturbing scene of the movie as the Germans then proceed to exterminate every surviving Russian, somewhat ominous as this is also what the Germans do in WWII. There are close-ups of a German soldier throwing children into a pit of fire as they are screaming out in fear. Everyone else is either burned to death or hanged. However, at least one man manages to escape Pskov and goes to warn Alexander that the Germans are advancing. When the escapee relates his message to the famed prince, Alexander is deeply disturbed and begins planning how to seek revenge on the Germans. He forms a company of troops and even orders the peasants to join in. One exceptionally brave female also joins the army. They then march to the city of Novgorod to gather more troops. Although some at Novgorod initially refuse to fight, more patriotic speeches are made and everyone agrees the Germans must be stopped. Once the battalion is formed, they begin marching towards Pskov and run into some German troops. Although the German troops appear to win this minor battle, Alexander regroups and forms a plan for attack set for the next morning. The attack is staged on an ice-covered lake and while some of the men are worried the ice may give way, Alexander advises them that if it does, the Germans are likely to go in first since their armor is heavier... so, all the better. The lake battle is really quite spectacular for its time, although it would probably be considered cheesy by today's standards. Some of the more hilarious images involve the German soldiers getting conked on the top of the head with an axe and then their buckets crumple up, presumably squishing their heads. As it is mainly a sword battle, there are images of several soldiers getting played out from swinging their heavy swords and having to lean upon their teammates in order to remain standing. The Russians begin to chase the Germans away, seemingly towards areas of thin ice as the next scene is that of the remaining German troops falling through the ice into the piercing cold lake beneath them. The rest of the film is rather anti-climatic as the Russians return to Pskov and prove their moral superiority over the Germans by releasing the captured foot soldiers and holding the captive nobility for ransom, rather than executing everyone as the Germans were notorious for doing. Then, some brave soldiers choose wives and Alexander declares that everyone should celebrate. All in all, this is a decent film worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: A Kept Promise
Review: Russia in the 13th century: The opening shot shows the relics of the last invasion: moldering uniforms, human skulls, a horse's skeleton. Prince Alexander Nevsky (Nikolai Cherkasov) chased the swedish army away and impresses the mongol ruler to such a degree that he proposes to promote him to the rank of captain. But Nevsky replies: "Die on your homeland, but don't leave it". He wants to fish, build ships and trade. But he also warns of a more dangerous enemy: nearer, meaner, and no possibility to buy oneself out: Germany. Their objective is Novgorod. They have already reached Pskov. Mothers and Daugthers suffer for their fathers and sons. The marauding occupation forces distribute the looty among each other. Rich merchants want to purchase their liberty (always place for some anti-capitalist p.r.), but the "common people" are ready to fight and want Alexander as their leader. Pskov is burned to the ground. The teutonic knights feel invincible and have just a smug smile for the russian women who witness helplessly how their fathers and sons are butchered. Babies are thrown in the fire while high dignitaries of the church look on and remain idle. In Novgorod: Olga Danilovna has two admirers: Rich and staid Gavrilo and tall and jolly Vasili. She promises to marry the most valiant. Vasili calls on Alexander Nevsky in Perejaslav: the prince decides not to wait for the attack, but to strike at once. Even women put on a chain armor. The invaders want to bait the "russian bear", but Nevsky's stratagem stands the test: Lake Peipus is his war zone: his men know the territory, but the germans, who are heavier, will break through the ice... Open your eyes and watch the most impressive battle-scenes ever filmed. It's not just the multitude of extras (who were, I think, pressed in this patriotic exercise), but Eisenstein's masterful management of such a large number of individuals. He displaces divisions like pieces on a chess-board and nearly every shot looks like a composition for a painting of Rubens or Rembrandt (including horses in phantastic outfits). Russia in winter looks intimidating in itself, but Eisenstein's visual imagination is hors concours. Heaps of corpses are plunged in cosmic light under an endless horizon. At nighfall Olga and other women search with torches for survivors. A devoted falcon sits on his master's dead body while a crow waits for the right moment to pick out the eyes of the deceased. Eisenstein's direction and Prokofjev's score make ALEXANDER NEVSKY the "Rolls Royce" among propaganda films. Nevsky is, of course, Stalin (who commissioned the film), and the russians are tall, good-looking, heroic, and they have a perfect hairdo. The germans are bearded savages and look like members of the Ku-Klux-Klan. The actor who plays Vasili gives a one-man-four-characters performance: first wavering, then heroic, youthful lover and comic relief. Cherkasov's main duty is to look heroic: At the end Nevsky-Stalin displays his generosity: He pardons the little soldiers and barters the knights for soap. Only a bearded killer and a traitorous cleric are turned over to the mob. He does not forget a final warning: who comes with the sword will die by the sword...He kept his promise...
Rating:
Summary: perhaps a little too hyped in my own opinion...
Review: I have just recently become interested in the classic cinema, or classic world cinema in this situation, and I have not delved too far yet into fully understanding cinema in general, but being an extreme history enthusiast I was compelled and influenced by outside forces to purchase the Eisenstein Sound Years Criterion set. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Ivans", but unfortunately the "Nevsky" film and dvd fell a little short of oustanding. The film itself I believe is an important lesson in understanding Soviet propaganda and the limitations set on artists during Stalin's regime, but the actually story and pace of the content is a little...old?(!) I also do agree with this being a milestone in the terms of film epics, and the costumes and cinematography seem to be very good for its time. The only problem I have is you barely begin to understand any characters for the film can only have so many sequences before the epic battle scene, but perhaps I am saying this for I believed both "Ivans" to be artistic and in-depth looks at a complex human being. I will have to show a little dismay also in the dvd, for I know tranfers must be hard to accomplish but the score and film itself are still somewhat grainy. I will not go into the cons very much, for I still see this as a very important film for modern times, and you can easily see the influence in nowadays epics (ie. Star Wars, Lord Of The Rings). I guess my main point is not to come towards the film after reading about it and expect one of the most amazing pieces of art ever made, but instead pull it in as a study of modern propaganda and Soviet Philosophies. As stated, I enjoyed the "Ivans" much more, but considering the restrictions Eisenstein had faced prior to making "Nevsky", it is still a film far above par and unique.
Rating:
Summary: ALEXANDER NEVSKY!
Review: SERGEI EISENSTEIN's first SOUND FILM tells the epic tale of the great ALEXANDER NEVSKY, who led the people of RUSSIA against the Tutonic Knights invading from GERMAN! This film was made in 1938 and obviously constitutes one of the better examples of Soviet Propaganda during World War II! Not that they were the only ones: LAURENCE OLIVIER did the same thing with his version of "HENRY V"! The thrilling BATTLE ON THE ICE actually foreshadows the way the harsh Russian WINTER would stop the NAZI assault into the Motherland! The MUSIC score by SERGEI PROKOFIEV is truly awesome!
Rating:
Summary: "with their crimson blood they have fed our soil"
Review: It is amazing to think that when this film was released in1938, many dismissed it as merely propaganda, as war loomed ahead with Germany. Though certainly the conditions of the time influenced the script, the film is an epic masterpiece. The history depicted in the story is of the Russians in 1242, already oppressed by the Mongols, being invaded by the Teutonic Knights.
Director Sergei Eisenstein, one of the pioneers of editing for dramatic effect, here created filming on a scale that is astounding. The famous battle sequence takes place on a frozen lake, with a cast of thousands, many who were a part of the regular army.
Eisenstein also collaborated extensively with the great classical composer Sergei Prokofiev, whose magnificent score is so intricately meshed with the cinematography by Eduard Tisse, and along with the spectacular battle scenes, the sweeping panoramas of desolate plains are also extraordinary. Nikolai Cherkasov's charisma and majestic presence fill the screen as Nevsky. He's considered one of Russia's greatest actors, and here as the warrior prince, he is a larger-than-life heroic figure, with blazing eyes and resonant voice.
An epic film that has influenced many of today's filmmakers, this is one not to miss.
There are a few signs of age in this film, it has been well restored, though the subtitles are sometimes in awkward syntax. Total running time is 108 minutes.
Rating:
Summary: Great film, but.....
Review: The Image transfers to DVD of Eisenstein's 'Ivan the Terrible' parts One and Two are sensational -- gleaming blacks, crisp whites; tonal values as exciting as full colour. And the sound is rich and strong. This transfer of 'Nevsky' though gives us a palette of greys instead of the crisp black and whites it deserves. And the sound is too muted; there's been little attempt to get the best out of the 1930s soundtrack. That soundtrack doesn't sound the greatest on any version, but it is still preferable to the better sounding but artistically mechanical and drab re-recording done in the 1990s by BMG. Until there's a better DVD on the market, this one will have to do. Put up with the flaws, because this is one of the greatest films of the fondly remembered 20th Century. There is a rumour that Criterion is going to remaster both 'Alexander Nevsky' and the two 'Ivan' movies. The Image 'Ivan' is already good enough, but I'll be ordering the Criterion 'Nevsky' the day it appears. But Criterion, make sure you use the original soundtrack, with all its faults, not the BMG technological update. Or, to satisfy everyone, and if BMG agrees, why not a dual music track to let everyone choose between the better sounding but dull modern re-recording, or the poorly recorded but exciting original!
Rating:
Summary: Superb Eisenstein classic
Review: For those familiar with this classic of the Russian cinema, little need be said. For others, here are the high points: the story is set in medieval Russia and it essentially is about a great warrior who is drawn out of seclusion to lead the fight to defend the homeland against invading barbarians, who are German; there is much bravura acting from the loyal patriots, who deal not only with a vicious enemy from without but also with insidious traitors from within; the hero-warrior who leads them is suitably understated and dignified, striking a memorable portrait of nobility and grandeur. All this is dramatically heightened by some of the best cinematography ever, climaxing in a final battle over the ice which is done entirely with striking visuals and music-only sound. The result is one that rises far beyond the level of a mere costume picture or any cartoon story of battling types. This is a rich treasure from cinematic history, with all talents (including Sergei Eisenstein, one of the greatest directors ever, seen at his best) in brilliant form. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: I agree with Moreno
Review: Note that this was released as RCA Red Seal on laser disc. On laser disc, it is spectacular. A pity that none of the RCA laser dics have been transfered to DVD .. yet?
Rating:
Summary: not a patch on Ivan
Review: It seems that Eisenstien had a particularly tough transition to the world of sound in cinema. After delivering starteling visuals in Battlship Potemkin, Eisensitein seems to have struggled to realise the dramatic potential of the medium of sound, and it shows in this film. Eisenstien uses sound as little more than a medium for delivering dialogue, and the most interesting sonic asspect of this film is Prokofiev's stunning score, which is unfortunatly all but lost in the primitive sound on this DVD. The film itself is to my mind something of a dissapointment. It starts well, with Alexander and his men fishing against an impressivly scenic backdrop of windswept Russian country side. The sound limitations begin immediatly, when it becomes obvious that no sound, other than the dialogue has been recorded. Maybe this has something to do with the technological limitations of the day, I don't know, but it seems to show a lack of interest in the possibilities of sound on the part of the director. As the film develops, it becomes obvious that the scenes have been developed with little imagination, certainly not of the quality of the vision behind Potemkin. The apparently 'amazing' battle on the ice also proved to be something of a dissapointment to me, there seemed to be a great laziness on the part of the director in repeating the same rather tired imagery, and I noticed that rather than shoot the German Army's retreat, their advance was simply played backwards! When viewing this film, it was not immedeatly apparent that the music was of such a high quality, indeed it was not until I heard Claudio Abbado's excellent digital recording that I realised how good it was. The picture quality annoyed me, as it seemes to have an unnatural digitised look throughout. This film has recieved many good reviews on this page, so maybe I am missing something. But please don't feel that I am critical of it because I don't understand it. I think that elsewhere Eisenstien displayed great ability, I was gripped by Ivan the Terrible part 1, and foungd Battleship Potemkin worthy of its reputation. I just don't consider this to be the director's finest work, nor do I consider this I good DVD. I would also suggest that anyone primarily interested in the music should listen to Abbado's excellent recording on Deutche Gramophone. Still, it's probably worth watching anyway, if only to make your own mind up.
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