Trial of the Road

A strong morally ambiguous exploration of treason and redemption in the context of war. I loved the cinematography but it's the character study aspect of the film that is strongest. The various interactions and reactions to the surrender, the understandable suspicion and the human hope for redemption push and pull at each other throughout the film and, while the film's perspective favours a certain view, the various positions do come off as defensible and understandable in context.

A fine exploration of the ambiguities of loyalty and betrayal in the desperation of war, this film refuses most generic elements and presents interesting characters and situations, unusual aspects of the wartime experience, and an excellent ending. It's not difficult to see why the Soviet authorities suppressed the film, even if doing so was obviously an act of stupidity.

An important movie about White Russia during WWII. Story was also about simple people who were important part of the war.

While it isn't as daring or singular in style as KMC! or HTBAG, it's an interesting early example of German's obvious talent, finding a unique midway point between Soviet war films and American ones, with an unexpectedly violent sequence toward the end that foreshadows Rambo. Claims of moral ambiguity are grossly exaggerated; it's always clear where German's sympathies lie, and the redemption theme is handled in a reasonably straightforward manner. Nonetheless, this is impressive work.

İstanbul Film Festivali - Atlas Sineması: ...

A fairly middle-of-the-road Eastern European war movie stylistically, though the premise didn't play it quite as safe - it took 15 years for the film to be released from the clutches of Soviet censorship. Well-made in every respect.

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I have honestly no idea why this film has one of my highest PSI ever. It's an interesting piece of history but a masterpiece? And why are there no reviews at all, am I missing some kind of inside joke?

Aesthetically similar to the 1977 Shepitko's Ascent, albeit somewhat less profound, it's another of the great Russian war movies. It's a poignant depiction of various facets of humanity in extreme conditions, with an added story of redemption.