User reviews

I will not retell the story or describe the acting, except to say that everything was top notch. Ukrainian Folk Music in Indiana accompaniments with motifs served as a perfect accompaniment to the film. As you probably guessed, the film is biographical. It can not be called historic in full, since the film does not cover military operations and are limited to a couple, beautifully shot, flights protagonist. A lot of action in the film, and perhaps a few dialogue. This is the only negative. There is a national humor, which positions itself as a naive and sincere Ukrainian human soul. Development and the theme of the struggle between good and evil, which further exacerbates the events and intrigues the viewer. "Firecrosser" really touched. This is the film that when after the credits can say a quiet "wow" ...

Firecrosser (the original title is The One who Went Through the Fire) deals with a real caracter, Ivan Datsenko. He was born in 1918 in the village of Chernichy Yar, district of Dykanka, Ukraine. A veterinarian by profession, he was drafted into the Red Army and graduated in 1940 from the School of Aviation at Orenburg. He served as fighter and bomber pilot and was awarded many decorations, among them the Order of the Red Banner and the coveted title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1943.

Datsenko was shot down in 1943 over the Western Ukraine, near the city of Lviv. The Soviet Government declared "he died a hero's death." His memory was venerated during and after the war, although the attitude of the Soviet government towards Datsenko was curiously ambivalent; probably there was a secret order to play down these commemorations.

In the eighties there were rumors that Datsenko did not actually die in 1943 but was taken prisoner by the Germans and had a second life in Canada in rather unusual circumstances. This was later corroborated by witnesses (although there never was absolute proof). This movie reconstructs Datsenko's life, perhaps fancifully at times. Actors as well as production values (cinematography, special effects, music) are excellent. Director Illienko moves the story along with good pacing; the only (minor) objection could be that, at times, one may have some difficulty telling what actually happens and what happens only in the mind of a character (this probably would be clarified by a second viewing). This movie is well worth watching and shows that the level of the Ukrainian film industry is up to the best in the world.

Ukraine is not famous with its movies but this one has potential to touch many hearts.

It's based on a true story but it's not a story of one man. Similar stories happened to many Soviet officers and soldiers after the WWII so it gives you a sense of that epoch. It's adventurous and at the same time romantic, historical and modern and has a touch of Ukrainian authentic culture.

Behind intricate plot are existential topics: love and loyalty, friendship and betrayal, religion, nation and language.

It's a beautiful combination of mystic scenes, subtle humour, powerful characters and cultural ideas.

a film from Ukraine. not spectacular but beautiful. expression of high ambition , it is a story who remembers more than present. because , like few good films from East is a form of testimony. and the fact who defines it is the courage to use different tools - humor and slices of magic are basic bricks - for a story not credible at whole but interesting in its message. more than a film, it is demonstration of a young cinema school with a long tradition. and exercise to defines it. far to be perfect, it is important step for a different cinema. and that fact is the good point who transforms it in precious travel to affirmation. the meeting between cold past and myths are always risky. in this case it is inspired foundation for a movie with role of promise. because, despite errors, it is encouraging message from Kiev.

it is a special film. not only for status to be the first real Ukrainian film. but for its high ambition to propose a story who , at first sigh, is real crazy. at the sigh - a parable about a people and its trip across history. it is amusing, dramatic, full of crumbs of fairy tale, heroic and chaotic, a film about a man who discovers men, situations, worlds and truth in a lot of dramatic situations. a film who could seduce. and to remember not only clichés from Soviet cinema but the flavor of life from childhood's dreams. a film who must see. not for great artistic virtues. but for a nice story who could be inspired portrait of a part of Europe in XX century.