Ballad of a Soldier
Director: Grigori Chukhrai
Year Released: 1959
Rating: 3.0
Innocence-amidst-the-chaos war picture that shows the bright-eyed protagonist's positive influence on those he comes across, giving them hope in the grim days of WWII. While on his journey he shares cigarettes with his fellow soldiers, helps mend a broken relationship between a handicapped soldier and his wife, discovers the dark side of human nature - greed, cruelty - all on the way to visit his mother. Plot contrivances aside, it's a splendid film, designed for the mass audience, and features a romantic relationship that is believable and sweet. Above all, it's an exquisitely photographed piece, every scene perfectly lit and framed. I'll take it over Closely Watched Trains any day.
