User reviews

I believe that "Ostrov" (the Island) is among the great pieces of world and Russian cinema somewhere close to Bergman and Tarkovsky. For Russia - it is an important and timely message. For those who want to know more of "the mysterious Russian soul" - it is an excellent description. I've hardly seen a better one. For all taking the spiritual development seriously - the film will also be useful no matter what is their religion. People say that they are becoming better and cleaner after watching the film. Those who used to a lot of action on the screen would require to concentrate. It is more a meditation rather than a blockbuster. Strongly recommend to watch.

This is an Orthodox movie in its core, and it might not appeal to people of different religious backgrounds. Orthodox church is not a church of comfortable and simple, but ridiculous answers. Its path is hard and full of obstacles, and the fight for salvation, is life long. Of course, this is completely opposite to evangelical, easy fix theology that calms the minds of the naive folk. This movie is not an advert for converting to the Orthodox faith. How could it be? All three monks that we see in this movie are struggling to understand their spiritual journey.Being religious is a tough gift, not for the faint of heart.

Some people saw this film as a religious propaganda. I don't think it is so - "Ostrov" it's rather a testimony, for those interested, about the Russian soul, which is deeply religious and rooted in Orthodox Christianity. I think the main target of the movie were the Russian themselves, or maybe, by extension, those nations who are traditionally Orthodox Christian, but forgot their roots.

The movie tries to bring into attention the essence of Orthodox Christian belief - the reunification of man with God, which is done through repentance and unceased prayer, in humbleness and ascetic struggle. According to the same beliefs, God is the one who works this union in co-operation with the man.

The main character, Fr. Anatoli, was inspired from the lives of some Russian "fools for Christ" - men who tried to hide their sanctity and keep their humbleness behind a mask of apparent insanity - especially from the life of St. Theophile the Fool for Christ.

I think the success gained by this movie in Russia and beyond is determined by the inner identification of the viewer with the concepts revealed in it.

Nevertheless, beside it's religious significance, "Ostrov" has a brilliant image directing, with superb shots of the remote locations, and a very good and balanced script - even a surprising final turnaround, for those who may have felt the need for it. You may think of it, in a way, as a sort of "fictional documentary".

As a final note, I think the movie requires at least a second viewing, both for deepening and re-enjoying it.

Ostrov gives the viewer a rare and deeper than ever before glimpse at a "starets" (elder) and "iurodivy" (fool for Christ), embodied by the main character Fr. Anatoli. These spiritual figures - unique to Eastern Orthodox Christianity - possess a prophetic spiritual insight, and in the case of the iurodivy use odd behavior and humor to spiritually awaken those around them. The film is set in an isolated skete during Soviet times, when Russian society was forcibly steeped into atheism.

The film's actors deliver top notch performances, the cinematography is excellent, and the sound design is thought through. A great film for those who want to get a truly spiritual experience, and encounter a world that few in the west are familiar with.

This movie is absolutely great. Greatly filmed, greatly directed, greatly acted. But thats nothing to what hides behind all the image, where this movie becomes a masterpiece. Its about a life of a man, who made a sin, and all his life have been asking god to forgive him for his sin. In his praying he have got a power to help other people to get rid of their sins. And thats about the power of religion and faith. Can't say anything more without spoiling the plot. This movie may seem to be just about monks and church, but its much wider. Its about pure people.

Highly recommended.

If you love Lars Von Trier's series about Human Virtue and Sin, you will definitely fell the same way about with this brilliant movie and the main character- once sinned soul turned life-long searching forgiveness wonder-working monk, played by unique and genius Russian actor/musician/now-hermit- Petr Mamonov. The movie actually reflects the real current life and spirituality of the actor.

The movie won't leave you indifferent and senseless even if you try. To preserve beauty and richness of Russian language may be an arduous task for an interpreter, but you shouldn't worry about it very much since dialogs are rare, short and sharp, and the movie is very rich visually.

Enjoy. D.

This film is about a young soldier committing a grave sin, and hence spends the rest of his life being a monk, praying and repenting every day in order to redeem his sin.

"Ostrov" proved to be a phenomenally moving and affecting spiritual experience that is unparalleled by any other film. From cinematography, composition of scenes, scenery, philosophical messages, religious messages and the good side of humanity are all absolutely prefect beyond any description. The slow pacing and monochrome colours adds to the high level of religious message and spirituality. The most thought provoking scene is when Father Anatoli curses the devils, therefore helping his senior, Father Filaret to achieve a higher level of spirituality. The ending is deeply affecting, and it is almost impossible not to be touched to tears. My friends and I were deep in thoughts for an hour after the film finished. This film is a perfect piece of art that offers an unprecedented spiritual experience. It is a must see.

Somehow, Father Anatoly, (born again Christian ex rock star Pyotr Mamanov) a rather unorthodox Orthodox monk who lives on the titular Russian Baltic island, is very much his own island.

Anti-social, dirty, and a prankster that both annoys and causes discomfort to his fellow monks, Anatoly is a troubled old man who is harbouring a soul-destroying act that he was forced to commit, over forty years previous.

Strangely, this unkempt and rather obnoxious figure seems to hold healing powers that his superiors do not understand or particularly approve of. A string of characters visit the almost impossible to reach monastery and they target Father Anatoly, who is dressed in rags and not in the Orthodox robes of the others.

This film reminded me so much of the excellent south Korean film 'Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter....Spring', which in some ways is unfortunate for The Island as I am comparing it against the former. That's why I'm awarding 7, not 8/10. Whilst hauntingly beautiful throughout, with its poetically arctic landscapes, it lacks the subtlety and ultimate tenderness that would really make it special. The comical moments are just a little clumsy and some of the miraculous undertakings a little beyond credibility.

Spiritually, the ending is glorious and special, with the silent soundtrack before rousing to a joyous climax.

I rented this DVD from my local library, showing how diverse and useful their collections can be. Try them!

Though all of my friends were recommending this picture I was very skeptical about it at first, I could not imagine the director of "Oligarch" to make something really worthy, I was mistaken and I realized it within the first moments of the movie. During the whole film I was filling delight for every moment of the film, the acting, the work of operator... everything was great, especially the idea, to be more concrete the way director brought the idea to us. It took Russians more than 20 years to make movie of Tarkovsky's level, so I am not afraid of the word "masterpiece" in this case. So far I have watched this movie two times and I am sure that I will watch it some more times. I think that this movie will be interesting for all kind of people, despite their likes in the field. So if you have not seen it, go and watch it!

I see a lot of reviewers are discussing the socio-political and religio-cultural aspects of this film. Well, I'm a historical dimwit, so I won't touch that stuff. Instead I'll tell you what I experienced artistically.

I found the pace to be perfect. Perhaps it will be considered slow to some, but I thought it was just right for the subject presented. Cinematography was wonderful. I was especially impressed to see smooth and graceful camera work, perhaps indicative of a high budget which is rare amongst east European art films. Overall, I thought this film was very polished yet not too glossy.

Now the bad. In contrast to the magnificent visuals, the music was rather uninspiring. I don't think the piano (which constitutes 75% of the score) was a real piano, but rather it sounded like a computer-scored midi instrument. Either that or the person playing the piano had all the emotion of a grapefruit. Either way, it sounded a little too much like a cheap Hallmark greeting card commercial or an ABC afterschool special. It's a shame that with all the rich musical history of great Russian composers they settled for a bland soundtrack to compliment this film.

The acting... Although it was quite engaging, I don't feel that it was nearly as stellar as some people tell you. In particular, there were several missed opportunities where a subtle pause could have made all the difference in presentation, but the actor rushed through the scene instead. The climactic scene of the movie could have been absolutely phenomenal, but instead it passes by so uneventfully that you're left wondering if it really happened. So while the performances weren't *bad*, they certainly weren't Brando.

But these small flaws (music, acting) become trivial when set against the gorgeous landscape and the carefully designed sets, costumes and other visual aspects. I think most people who aren't scrutinizing the movie will enjoy it for its pure message in the old Shakespearian tradition that says the greatest wisdom comes from the mouths of fools. Definitely an interesting watch, but not quite good enough to see twice.

I was almost reluctant to watching this movie because of all the hype it receives in Russia currently. At first, I thought it was one of those "we are the best", the usual Russian things. Not so. It is still the #1 feature in Russian movie theaters at the time of this writing. Anyway, Russians don't wait as long as Americans do before they release a movie to the television. And so today they did (the movie is still in the theaters and is doing really good at the box office). Don't know how exactly it works in Russia. But anyway, the movie is SO GOOD! It is definitely up there with Bergman and Tarkovsky. It is simply spectacular! Don't even think of missing it! Everything is great about this movie. The story is really short to get you into the mood in the orgasmic kind of way, and it will keep you at the edge of your sit to the very last second. Beautiful actors. The film is shot in beautiful widescreen – an absolutely breathtaking cinematography. The only thing bad about this movie is that it is too short!!!! Don't get me wrong, it is a full-length film, but it's ended just a couple of hours earlier than I expected :) Just watch it! You will not regret it.

For post-soviet Russia, being left without what they call "the national idea", it's quite logical to be searching for one. I see this movie as a successful attempt to create "the right movie". In this "right" movie you can clearly see the supposed demand of Russian society for spirituality and new moral reference points. As we remember from the classics of soviet cinematography the concept of the "right movie" allows the "idea" to prevail on everything else. This is the main problem of this movie - the internal logic, the protagonist, the course of events - everything is sacrificed to the "idea". This explains the reaction of the audience to the movie - most prefer to forgive the numerous errors and unpersuasive episodes in favor of the overshadowing "idea".But what is this "idea"? Is it humanity? Is it mercy? Is it retaliation for the sins? Is it faith? I guess everyone is free to understand it in his own way and that's why I personally don't like that the comprehension of this idea is supposed to be through the abundance of praying scenes and ascetism.

Plot: 2 people on a soviet ship that carries coal are attacked by a Nazi fighter ship. The Nazi captain forces Anatoli, the less brave between the two men, to kill his captain and then leave him to die from the explosives they have placed there. Anatoli survives somehow and is saved by some Orthodox Monks. Some decades later Anatoli, the weirdest amongst the other monks, is pursued by strong guilt but also seems to have gained the ability to heal people that come in the monastery or predict the future.

You'll love Ostrov if: You are a very faithful Christian or at least a very humble and spiritual person. Humility… in my view that's the lesson of the movie. Anatoli is tortured by his own sins, constantly in tears and full of inner pain, doesn't care about "the right procedures" and other earthly and useless stuff like his fellow monks, sees himself as the lowest of the low and spends most of his time praying to God and asking for forgiveness. The gifts of Anatoli aren't exaggerated… you won't see God speaking to him, or light sparks coming from his hand. Anatoli is a humble man, a great lesson in Monastism. Apart from that the movie looks wonderful. Ostrov combines great cinematography, with nice camera work and beautiful but bleak soviet landscapes that make you feel the isolation and the overall depression of the main character.

You'll hate Ostrov if: You are not spiritual at all, or if you hate slow paced movies with almost no plot. I'm not a believer, (not anymore at least), but I still like the concept of humility that the Christian Orthodox faith is –supposed to be- based upon. However the way this movie portrays that, is quite wrong in my opinion. You'll see Anatoli carrying his coal in his wheelbarrow for 10 minutes, then a five minute pause for tearful prayers, then more coal, more prayers, more coal and so on. In all respect to religious people I am among these people whose opinion about prayers is "Doing nothing and still thing you're helping". OK, we get it! Anatoli is sorry for the murder of his friend, his guilt and repentance is genuine and so on and so forth but other than that what is the movie all about? Sorry but it takes more than constant, (although genuinely straight from the heart), prayers to make me like a movie about religious morals. And for those people that right now think stuff like, "Damn Atheist!!!", I disagree. I loved Jesus Of Nazareth when I was a Christian and I love it even to this day that I'm not anymore…

FINAL VERDICT: Doesn't Do The Trick (3/10)

[+] Humility in Monastism 101. Great cinematography with wonderful Russian landscapes.

[-] More prayers than an actual plot. Slow paced and badly directed.

Also Check: Jesus Of Nazareth (1977) – The Last Temptation Of Christ (1988) - The Passion Of The Christ (2004)

P.S.: My purpose in all my IMDb Reviews is not to say "I like\don't like this movie" but to help you decide whether YOU will like it or not since everything is all about taste and expectations IMO...

Some scenes in this film have an almost Bergman-like quality to them. I had anticipated that somehow the clergy depicted would be subjected to at least subtle ridicule, which has become common practice in most films produced in the West. Refreshingly, this was not the case. I had never suspected that a work of such spiritual dynamism could arise so soon from the ashes of the Soviet Union. The main characters were presented as spiritually honest people, who consciously struggled with their human weaknesses. The presentation of Russian Orthodox monastic practice was quite intriguing and instructive. A second viewing of the film clarifies some of Fr. Anatoly's peculiar behavior, which proves to be clairvoyant.

The movie also is available on DVD with English subtitles. Currently, you will need a DVD player that plays all regions to view. Maybe, someday this film will be dubbed in English, which would make this excellent work available to a wider audience.

This movie is a cry for God, for repentance, for continuous prayer, for simplicity and humbleness, especially now in a Babylonian "unified" world where "political correctness" is more important than anything spiritual that might turn man to God. We know how to say "I'm sorry" in many sophisticated and intellectual ways but we don't feel it. We are cold. A movie that has the power to save our souls. From the same realm, the last excellent film I saw was Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev. You don't need 10 lines of text to summarize this movie.... one word that defines perfectly this masterpiece is "prayer"! Continuous prayer! God bless!

I don't think to "Ostrov" as a movie. (by the way: there is also a novel "Ostrov" based on which the film was done, and we all know how great and deep writers has Russia given to the world).

This is more than a movie. Check your state of spirit after seeing the movie. For a time, after the movie, you are another human being. The film has the power to change you - even just for a while. And this is not a spell. This is because - shortly - you can see (it is offered to you) the essence of the human being. Afterwards you goes back down in your cave, as you can not continue by your own to see it. (this is your limitation, not movie's). But the traces remains in your soul. It is like an initiation. I don't consider it especially linked to the orthodox church. There are principles in this film which transcends religions. A man have a mission on this earth. Only few peoples knows their mission. Father Anotoly have lived just to accomplish his mission. Shortly after, he died. An initiated human being knows when he will die. And death is not something awful for him. He prepares for his death, it is just another step. Another import idea in the film: how strong are human beings attached to not important things. This stop them to see the essence. And this is the drama of the society.

The film shows also the difference between being a real religious man and being part of the church institution.

The film can be interpreted from various points of views. It is amazing how reach in meanings it can be. For everybody interested in spiritual life: it is a MUST.

The plot begins as a story about an ordinary man, who yielded to his weakness and preferred killing his mate and saving his own life to being killed himself. The second part of the movie is a story of no man, but of a soul, attempting to become forgiven and find piece. The picture makes you experience its suffering and need for repentance, as if it were yours - so it can be called a kind of spiritual masterpiece. During this experience you can look at your way of living with fresh eyes, which results in a kind of real purification. The fact that a picture which neither cannot be called an action nor contains erotic scenes still is able to thrill people is very pleasant!

an Orthodox film. religious in a profound sense. because it only remands old pieces from the Church's life. the figure of Starets. the weakness who becomes, step by step, sainthood. the image of Fool for Crist , present in Russia, Greece, Romania in same measure. it could be, for the viewer from West, a surprise and a revelation. in fact, it is only a testimony about the force and essence of faith. about God in simple - honest manner. Pyotr Mamonov presents the pillars of his faith. and that fact gives the touching emotion. the images from a far land for who the life is different , the meetings as keys of old events, the humor, very strange for a large part of the public, are only pieces from a fascinating puzzle about the life's meaning.

A wonderful script (Dimitry Sobolev) for "a Fool for Christ" tale. With some fascinating tidbits--the main actor was a rock musician who became a Russian Orthodox monk and lives on a distant island in real life, just as the fictional monk in the film. The director of the film Pavel Lungin says the lead actor Petr Mamonov played himself. The actor apparently received a blessing from his confessor for playing the fictional monk. The Patriarch of Moscow Alexei II praised it for its profound depiction of faith and monastic life. Another amazing tidbit--the film won the best spiritual film award in 2008 at the Fajr film festival in Iran, a fervent Islamic country. The negative factor: the highly improbable visit of a Russian Admiral returning to the fictional island three decades later with a sick daughter for a cure by the monk he does not easily recognize. The film was chosen as the closing film for the 2006 Venice film festival.

What to say about this movie, one word should describe it: MASTERPIECE.. First, for me was to slow, but after ~ 20 minutes I was so enthusiastic. Great movie, great actor(s), great story. The best movie I watched this year. I watched this movie yesterday, I am sure that I will watch it some more times. The cinematography is excellent, main actor (Fr. Anatoli) is excellent, story is excellent. Story about crime and repentance. These kind of things happens in real word, in many countries, so this is not only story of Orthodox Christian, but for all people no matter of religious background. This movie return faith and heal souls. My recommendation as one movie that you must watch before you die :)

The story seems original, but at the end it's just a variation of the Greek classic tragedy theme extended over time. It's the eternal crime and punishment, sin and redemption story. Nothing against to recycle this theme if you do it in a proper way. In writing it's more difficult to do it, you will be instantly compared to Dostoevsky - which novel, by the way, I find more and more hard to be considered as a masterpiece by the present and future generations. What many of the younger generation will find hard to swallow from the story of this film - as I also do find, while being in my late 50's - is the explicit, direct, high level miracles performed by the main character. No mystery, no doubt, no effort, the present and the future is just unfolding on front of him, healing the suffering and exorcising the devil is just a matter of a 1 minute prayer and it's done! It's erratic behavior is not convincing, the script-writer seems to have just looked hard to find something to put into the story. Now about the filming. Black and white somehow becomes the boring norm for this kind of films. Long shots of water rippling along the shore is so unoriginal after Tarkovsky's masterpiece "Stalker". All in all is not a movie hard to watch, just that at the end you have the feeling of an under-accomplished work, a strain with mediocre result.

Great film. It gives me a sense of hope, that God's plan is perfect and in the end, if we seek Him diligently, it will all work out and all the pieces will fall into place. I was wondering why doesn't the protagonist just accept God's forgiveness and lay his burden down. Father Job mentions that too. Just believe that your sin is forgiven and move on. But then I began to see, that Father Anatoly has found favor with God and he is a lot more sensitive to His will than an average person. It was God's perfect will to bring it to this kind of completion. We never hear back from the people who were helped by Father Anatoly. That calls for our faith that things for them worked out the way he said that they will. I can't help but wonder if the widow made it to France, if the boy's leg healed, if the young girl's baby turned out to be a 'golden boy'. What is going to happen to Father Job? He wanted 'to serve people', but complains that it was not given to him. Is he going to step up after Father Anatoly's death? This movie is a kind that stays with you for life. It brings light to the simple truths in deep powerful way.

I am a Greek Orthodox and i hold in high regard Bergman and Tarkovsky. So, reading the reviews here, i had high expectations. Unfortunately, i can't say this movie live up on them. Cinematography was great, acting was very good as well and there were some strong scenes but overall, i found it a bit boring and confusing, i could even characterize it as impenetrable. There are many enigmatic, artistic movies that i loved but OSTROV is more weird than enigmatic. It started strong, the scene with the Nazis was shocking because i didn't expect it would turn the way it did. I also get why this guy became a monk or something like that but i didn't understand why he became a troll, teasing the other people and saying gibberish. His interactions with other people didn't make sense at times. I don't have a problem with ambiguity but this was a guy who looked like a clown at times and like a Saint at others. Not the defintion of a balanced script nor a well written character.

I liked movie's messages, i understand that Orthodox Christianity doesn't provide easy answers, the Bible is not a Self Help Book. I understand the Leap of Faith and all. I wanted this to be a religious experience and whereas i can't say it was a failure because it started and ended really strong, still i can't say it was a success either. It should definitely be shorter.

The ending is probably the best part here, even better than the start. 6 stars from me.

This puddle of derivative drivel stole from every Soviet film of note and failed miserably. I was left with an experience of everything that is wrong with organized religion in general and the Russian Orthodox Church's particular shortcomings (mind you this comment comes from a person of faith). Even the outstanding cinematography left me uninspired. I spent its most beautiful moments very aware of the masterworks that it was poorly imitating. I would not recommend seeing this movie unless you have a deep passion for the Russian Orthodox Church, its monastic traditions, miracles in the face of Communism, and Saints of the Seventies. It is a meaningless film from (and about) a narrow perspective that did absolutely nothing for me.