Rent The Commissar (1967)

3.6 of 5 from 66 ratings
1h 43min
Rent The Commissar (aka Komissar) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
Banned for over 20 years by the Russian authorities for its controversial stance on anti-Semitism and women's right, 'The Commissar' was finally screened at the Berlin Film Festival in 1988, where it won the Silver Bear and met with international acclaim. Set in 1920 during the Russian Civil War, the film follows the story of Clavdia Vavilova (Nonna Mordyukova), a female Commissar from the Red Army who is sent to stay with a poor Jewish family in the final stages of her pregnancy. The initial hostility and resentment of both parties begins to mellow as they gradually discover that they have more in common than either realised.
But following the birth of a son, Clavdia is faced with leaving her newborn behind and returning to the grave realities of war.
Actors:
Lyudmila Volynskaya, , Raissa Nedashkovskaya, , Vasily Shukshin
Directors:
Alexander Askoldov
Aka:
Komissar
Studio:
Artificial Eye Film Company Ltd.
Genres:
Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
Collections:
A History of Soviet Silent Cinema
Countries:
Soviet Union
Awards:

1988 Berlinale Silver Bear Jury Prize

1988 Berlinale FIPRESCI Prize

BBFC:
Release Date:
26/03/2007
Run Time:
103 minutes
Languages:
Dubbed, English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Russian Dolby Digital 5.1, Russian Dolby Digital Mono, Russian DTS 5.1
Subtitles:
English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
B & W
Bonus:
  • Interviews with director Alexander Askoldov & actress Raissa Nedashkovskaya
  • Archive cast interviews with Nonna Mordyukova, Rolan Bykov & Raissa Nedashkovskaya
  • Archive documents & letters: 'Case History of Comrade Askoldov': letter to the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committe
  • Alexander Askoldov biography
  • Extracts from international press coverage and publicity materials
  • International film awards
  • Image gallery
Disc 1:
This disc includes the following episodes:
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following special features:
- Interviews with director Alexander Askoldov & actress Raissa Nedashkovskaya
- Archive cast interviews with Nonna Mordyukova, Rolan Bykov & Raissa Nedashkovskaya
- Archive documents & letters: 'Case History of Comrade Askoldov': letter to the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committe
- Alexander Askoldov biography
- Extracts from international press coverage and publicity materials
- International film awards
- Image gallery

More like The Commissar

Reviews (1) of The Commissar

One of my top favourite movies - The Commissar review by CW

Spoiler Alert
15/06/2020

Years ago I saw Commissar at a  Russian film festival. I was stunned by its brilliance and bravery. Thanks to Cinema Paradiso I was able to see it again. This is a vast story of war and the effect on the lives of the soldiers and people trying to survive. It is a story of profound love, empathy and kindness. The woman commissar is soon to have a baby. She is lodged with an extremely poor Jewish family with 6 young children. They are forced to and then willingly, lovingly share their cramped home and meagre rations with her. All she knows is military life. She sees their struggles and watches them laugh and dance. They are survivors. There are shocking memorable scenes of what happened to Jews. This was the only film made by Askoldov, the writer and director. Because he refused to change the ethnicity of the Jews and because he showcased the hard life of women, the movie was confiscated and banned. He was not allowed to make another movie. What a loss. There are marvellous long shots of riderless horses symbolising soldiers killed in battle. Heartbreaking and gorgeous. This classic immense story certainly does not feel like a first film by a director. So after years since I first saw it, I watched it again and will watch it once more before returning. Thank you Cinema Paradiso.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Unlimited films sent to your door, starting at £15.99 a month.