Adventure, detective, thriller, drama. The film adaptation of the novel of the same name by the Soviet and Russian playwright Alexander Ostapovich Avdeenko, who also wrote the script here. And since I have not read the original book source, therefore I will consider the painting as an independent work. So, quite recently I saw some fragments of this picture, which was shown on the channel "Spas" (this is probably the only good channel on Russian TV left), and what I watched was very interesting. I decided to definitely watch it in full, but without the annoying ads. As a result, I looked - and the impressions are the best. And here's my brief opinion for you - Hunting for an enemy saboteur. There are no minuses from the word "absolutely" in the picture, but there are several controversial points that must be mentioned, but for now I will focus your attention on the advantages of this picture.
So, here they are:
1. The script is 1952. The border of Transcarpathia. Chervonnaya Rus. A seasoned foreign intelligence agent (which one is not specified) penetrates into our territory under the guise of the guard Sergeant Belogray with the task of undermining the strategically important bridge over the Tisa River (and not the Tissa, as in the title of the picture), this should be prevented by Soviet border guards together with Sergeant Smolarchuk and vigilant collective farmers. Against the background of these events, a love triangle develops between the false Belograd, Andrei Smolyarchuk and the local beauty Theresia Simak. The script is a mixture of a patriotic detective story and a good melodrama in the entourage of the post-war Soviet Transcarpathia. The atmosphere and the mood of the people of that time are perfectly conveyed: front-line soldiers everywhere, getting used to peaceful life, memorials in honor of the fallen defenders of the Motherland, the restoration of the country after the hardest war, the peculiarities of the life of the border territory and, of course, the activities of enemy agents. Apart from the controversial points, the script fascinates, drives into tension, and makes you watch the picture from beginning to end. And since the author of the novel himself worked on the script, I dare to hope that he put all the important events in the timing of the picture (only one hour nineteen minutes).
2. Bright heroes - False Belograi, Andrey, Theresia, Major Zubavin, General Gromada and so on. All the characters presented in the picture have a memorable appearance and bright characters. Everyone is interesting. It feels like everyone has their own story behind them with their victories and defeats. The main characters stand out here because they are devoted the most screen time.
3. Patriotism - every Soviet painting is imbued with patriotism and love for our Motherland (exactly everything shot before Perestroika, and there you already know everything and without unnecessary mention), and this picture was no exception. When watching, you feel the real pain from the death of our people, no matter military or civilian, and with all your might you wish the heroes to reveal the vile enemy agent and his accomplices who have warmed up on our land. And the agent himself is shown to be a very cunning opponent, which is extremely difficult to neutralize. The finale is predictable, but all the same, you feel a real delight from the victory of the Soviet people over the enemy.
A little about the main characters:
1. The false Belograi performed by Valentin Zubkov is a foreign intelligence agent sent to the Soviet Transcarpathia with an important task. A seasoned fox, with a well-hung tongue, who manages to insinuate himself into trust and almost complete the task. Valentin Ivanovich excellently managed to play a two-faced scoundrel, especially a look that forms a kind of contrast with an unremarkable appearance. Bravo!
2. Andrey Smolyarchuk, played by Afanasy Kochetkov, is a foreman of the USSR Border Guard, who must find and neutralize an enemy agent. An experienced fighter who is in love with the local collective farmer Theresia, but is ready to retreat for the sake of her happiness. Afanasy Ivanovich also excellently succeeded in the role of a smart and brave border guard who defended, are now defending and will defend the borders of our Great Motherland!
3. Teresia Simak, performed by Tatiana Konyukhova, is a local collective farmer, a leading production worker, whose hands are being sought by two front-line soldiers at once, and now she needs to choose. She is represented by a modest, but vulnerable and romantic girl, and even by an attractive appearance, for which it is not a sin to "hit on". Tatiana Georgievna perfectly coped with this role. Bravo!
Now that all the praises have been sounded, let's talk about the controversial points. The first of them is an obvious gluing at the beginning of the picture when the border guards are talking. Smolyarchuk's replica is clearly cut out. It can be seen that there was talk about Stalin, and it was decided to cut it out during the installation of the painting in 1958, so as not to anger the cornhusker. The second and most important point is the understatement. The real name of the False White-Haired Man is not called in the picture (although the name (or pseudonym) Clark is mentioned in some sources). The name of the foreign intelligence is not specified (although there is a hint of the CIA, but this is only a hint). And most importantly - why blow up the bridge over the Yew Tree? They did not explain to us what the importance of this bridge is for foreign intelligence. Now, if the action took place during the war, then everything would be clear and so. And the action of the picture takes place in 1952. So why are these points controversial? Yes, because many viewers can say this: "Yes, it doesn't matter at all", "This picture is about brave border guards", "Why are you digging in?" It's just important to me, and it was because of this understatement that I lowered the final grade.
As a result, we have an excellent political detective with elements of thriller and drama, with a good script, excellent atmosphere, bright characters, and great acting.
My rating is 9 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
