Review of Ballad of a Soldier (1959) by Patrice F — 06 Jul 2008
An expertly crafted, beautiful film that spans beyond its own hour and a half timeframe. It's one of the few War films that does not give a distinct "enemy" to hate, and it's in this where it succeeds to be simply a great story about courage, love and, above all, compassion for your fellow members of the world.
Leave it to a Russian film to accomplish this at a time where most other countries would have jumped on their chance to point their enemies out of a crowd. Its story is quite simple, but effective; A young, naive, soldier commits an incredible feat of bravery and is told he will receive a medal for this act.
He asks, instead of the decoration, that he take a short time off to visit his mother; his request is granted for 6 days. On his journey across the war-scarred Russian countryside, he meets many people and sees how those who are not on the frontline are also tragically affected by the war.
It is on this journey that he also finds love. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to see a great work of art that communicates the great message of genuine care to any language, gender, race.
This review of Ballad of a Soldier (1959) was written by Patrice F on 06 Jul 2008.
Ballad of a Soldier has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
