Review of Ballad of a Soldier (1959) by Chris W — 11 Jul 2007

Ballad of a Soldier was a film with very high ups and very low downs. First, it succeeds mostly as a love story. The middle portion of the film features Alyosha and the girl he meets on the train as they become close, falling in love. Honestly, the only film that matches the realness of this love on film is The New World. The relationship portrayed to viewers is beautiful, touching, and very believable. This section of the film is perfect.

However, with these great strengths came a few weaknesses. Without giving away spoilers, I just want to say that the end of the film is not very good. Well, I mis-spoke; the end is good, but doesn't really fit with the direction the middle portion of the film takes viewers. It has a very chopped feel. If you see this and enjoy the middle portion as much as I did, you will understand what I mean. Regardless, the middle is so good that I think everyone should see this and soak up its beauty.