38 reviews
Loved this film from start to finish. Great acting with a good story line which had some funny bits that made me lol. My emotions were all over the place, excited, laughing, frustrated, anxious and also on the edge of my seat it was great to see the Russian side to the space race against the US it was a great watch I recommend anyone to watch this
- craigdales
- Jan 9, 2021
- Permalink
A Russian drama; A story about Voskhod 2, the manned mission which the Soviet Union hoped would achieve another milestone in space exploration: the first man to "space walk." Set against the backdrop of the space race, it's a film that dazzles with its superb cinematography, many thrills, and the good suspense it manages to sustain.
- shakercoola
- Apr 17, 2018
- Permalink
Depending on the definition there are more than a hundred. Find a portrait (ca. 1965) of the first eleven. You will doubtless notice Valentina Tereshkova and should read more about Vladimir Komarov, but unless you truly are a student of manned spaceflight only two names should come to mind: Yuri Gagarin and Alexei Leonov. This movie is Leonov's tale.
I don't view movies like this for their accuracy or dramatic license, while documentaries can only be what they are. (After decades books on the subject only improve on the pertinent tale.) This movie is very well made, paced and acted. (Subtitles never distract me, and it's the first Russian movie I've viewed in quite the while.) Whether you feel compelled to compare it with, say, Apollo 13 or First Man, it is nonetheless another view that you should at least tacitly consent as valid while it strives to entertain, as all movies should but not all manage.
If Leonov comes across as larger than life, the man in real life had every right to be so regarded. He was both a fighter and test pilot AND an artist, and it is no exaggeration to say he was welcomed everywhere. Honor his memory for these reasons as well.
We should also fully keep in mind that when Out There becomes Our Big Backyard (as apparently planned) we should not remember the names of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos for leading the way but learn and remember the names and backgrounds of, and perhaps emulate, the human travelers who challenge, explore, discover and survive while facing the very great risk of not returning. That risk shall ever be so.
(As for books, I highly recommend those of the Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight series published by the University of Nebraska Press.)
I don't view movies like this for their accuracy or dramatic license, while documentaries can only be what they are. (After decades books on the subject only improve on the pertinent tale.) This movie is very well made, paced and acted. (Subtitles never distract me, and it's the first Russian movie I've viewed in quite the while.) Whether you feel compelled to compare it with, say, Apollo 13 or First Man, it is nonetheless another view that you should at least tacitly consent as valid while it strives to entertain, as all movies should but not all manage.
If Leonov comes across as larger than life, the man in real life had every right to be so regarded. He was both a fighter and test pilot AND an artist, and it is no exaggeration to say he was welcomed everywhere. Honor his memory for these reasons as well.
We should also fully keep in mind that when Out There becomes Our Big Backyard (as apparently planned) we should not remember the names of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos for leading the way but learn and remember the names and backgrounds of, and perhaps emulate, the human travelers who challenge, explore, discover and survive while facing the very great risk of not returning. That risk shall ever be so.
(As for books, I highly recommend those of the Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight series published by the University of Nebraska Press.)
- johcafra-150-658402
- Feb 12, 2021
- Permalink
I personally met Major General Alexey Leonov in Beirut (Lebanon) at a seminar on the 14 of February 2006, and I managed to take a selfie with him. He told us the story of his spacewalking and how he reported the success to his supervisors. Perhaps not the best movie out there, but it is worth watching because of the fascinating story and the historic significance. I really enjoyed watching it.
- farshadtami
- Jan 9, 2021
- Permalink
The movie has it all: amazing story based on real events, charismatic actors, a lot of emotions, nice comedy moments and great filming. This movie shows again that you don't need explosions or a lot of action to make a movie thrilling. Also this is not about the USSR and its space achievements, although as a Russian I did fell somehow proud watching it. It is about 2 strong willed men, who were following their dreams and have not given up. So don't be afraid of political propaganda :)
- rayvitalee
- May 9, 2017
- Permalink
I liked watching this movie maybe even more than watching "The Right Stuff". Probably because it tells the story of the Sovjet efforts of the space race.
Throughout the movie I couldn't help thinking it was an American movie as there was a continuous criticism towards the Sovjet era. Some can be explained by the changed political system, but still....
And is it so much different now?
Maybe it just proves that we were always right when trying to imagine how life was there.
Or the film is just intended to be watched by the Western world and they like to confirm many of the clichés.
But I'm glad this film is made. A lot of movies are made on the American efforts when in fact the Sovjets won all battles except the ultimate one (putting a man on the moon). Interesting too how both sides solved the problems in different ways. All top German scientists fled to the US and still the Russians were able to win the most battles.
But I'm glad this film is made. A lot of movies are made on the American efforts when in fact the Sovjets won all battles except the ultimate one (putting a man on the moon). Interesting too how both sides solved the problems in different ways. All top German scientists fled to the US and still the Russians were able to win the most battles.
First of all, I will admit that I do not watch many Russian movies. However, I heard about this one and sought it out. It was a good decision because it is a really well made and very interesting look at the side of the space race that is rarely covered in the West.
It's superbly shot, very well acted and the effects, where used, are top-notch. It is said to be a pretty accurate telling of the story and every bit as compelling as Apollo 13, as the crew had to overcome quite a few problems during their flight and when they got back down to Earth.
The leads all play their parts really well and there really isn't a lot of propaganda tub-thumping. It's just a great story about some very intrepid, brave cosmonauts.
It really is worth seeking out and watching!
It's superbly shot, very well acted and the effects, where used, are top-notch. It is said to be a pretty accurate telling of the story and every bit as compelling as Apollo 13, as the crew had to overcome quite a few problems during their flight and when they got back down to Earth.
The leads all play their parts really well and there really isn't a lot of propaganda tub-thumping. It's just a great story about some very intrepid, brave cosmonauts.
It really is worth seeking out and watching!
A beautiful film, a great story, what a bit pompous and propagandistic, but those were the times. I think it was also perfectly conveyed.
- pmarszalek03
- Aug 11, 2020
- Permalink
Touching dramatic development with lots of suspense and many funny situations that will keep the line fresh and diverse. Don't expect it will be boring, the story keeps turning around all the time and will keep you watching till the last frame. There is a great emphasize on human values and willpower, it will no doubt touch your heart. Great CGI will also keep your eyes filled with plenty of awesome content.
I would recommend this product to everyone.
Impressive job Russia, I hope more is coming on the way!
( I will never forget the "That's some strong tea" scene ;D )
I would recommend this product to everyone.
Impressive job Russia, I hope more is coming on the way!
( I will never forget the "That's some strong tea" scene ;D )
- borissofiabg
- Oct 3, 2017
- Permalink
- almafuerte-1
- Feb 22, 2021
- Permalink
This is an amazing movie, well worth watching to see the Russian side of the story.
The sound of Leonov's breathing was recorded, and later looped into the soundtrack of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
- cook-gareth
- Jun 1, 2019
- Permalink
I watched the dubbed version of the film (not the original Russian audio).
The film's CGI was surprisingly good. The acting was OK. The pacing of the film was a little slow and A LOT of time was spend on 'unnecessary' character background plot instead of just focusing on the preparation of the spaceflight and execution of the spaceflight.
The film follows the ACTUAL events from the first manned spacewalk of 'Voskhod 2' pretty truthfully, but there's also lots of fabricated events and fake 'disaster situations' that the actors have to deal with... so the movie is basically 70% truth and 30% faked drama. I would have possibly rated this film 8/10 if they just sticked 100% to the truth, but that's the choice that they made.
Overall the movie scores a 6.5/10 and is totally watchable if you're in the mood for a 'space adventure' film. Obviously it's nearly as good as "The Martian" or "Interstellar" but it's not half bad for a Russian film.
The film's CGI was surprisingly good. The acting was OK. The pacing of the film was a little slow and A LOT of time was spend on 'unnecessary' character background plot instead of just focusing on the preparation of the spaceflight and execution of the spaceflight.
The film follows the ACTUAL events from the first manned spacewalk of 'Voskhod 2' pretty truthfully, but there's also lots of fabricated events and fake 'disaster situations' that the actors have to deal with... so the movie is basically 70% truth and 30% faked drama. I would have possibly rated this film 8/10 if they just sticked 100% to the truth, but that's the choice that they made.
Overall the movie scores a 6.5/10 and is totally watchable if you're in the mood for a 'space adventure' film. Obviously it's nearly as good as "The Martian" or "Interstellar" but it's not half bad for a Russian film.
Despite strong visual fx, a handful of beautiful images and two appealing leads, this film takes a remarkable true story and smothers it in cheesy dialogue, facile inanity and endless sub-Hollywood clichés. The tone is set early on by some painful dialogue and every moment of dramatic potential is neutered by the overbearing music score and painfully earnest direction.
A real shame, as the story carries so much potential and there is clearly some talent involved in this production.
A real shame, as the story carries so much potential and there is clearly some talent involved in this production.
- tim_slessor
- Nov 21, 2017
- Permalink
Very nice movie and more realistic actually I do enjoy it more than the Hollywood version First Man (2018) anyway if you're a space lover you'll like both films
- Q8-MarronGlace
- Jan 13, 2019
- Permalink
- sjahanzaibzaidi
- Jan 11, 2021
- Permalink
As a nerdy spacegeek from childhood (watched alan shepard launch live in a gradeschool class on TV) I knew the story of Leonov and Voshkod2 going in. As this was a russian film I prepared myself to guffaw at the propagandist inaccuracies to come. Yep, there were some, but far less than expected and the drama was actually true to history for the most part. They didnt try and sugarcoat the engineering mistakes and they were even a bit dismissive of the Soviet ethos along the way. The main spoiler was the inability to watch it with Russion audio as, is so often the case, the voise actors film productions hire to perform Engish dubbing make a real mess of it. They always try to overly dramatize where that isn't required and ruin scenes that could just stand on their own. That aside, they do put drama in intentionally where it never existed but Opie did that in Apollo13 as well. That's the movies for ya. Anyway, worth a watch, especially if youo get it in Russian.
- deshannonx
- Sep 3, 2024
- Permalink
Very realistic experience of an astronaut life.
Very realistic experience of being in a space. ! love those part, mostly. !
(i need to watch this again from the beginning. So then ill update my review with critical povs & comment )
rly love the mid to the ending, how they survived!
And rly love the story of how it all happened at that time.
I think it's a rly good summed up story for ppl like me, which had zero interest in it/some history.
What i learned: i had zero insight/knowledge about being in an astronaut, esp. Insight, related to physics of space. How its so dangerous, could possibly be scary if u have zero knowledge about .. transitioning air vs. Zero air. That part barely blew my mind.
Loved it.
Very realistic experience of being in a space. ! love those part, mostly. !
(i need to watch this again from the beginning. So then ill update my review with critical povs & comment )
rly love the mid to the ending, how they survived!
And rly love the story of how it all happened at that time.
I think it's a rly good summed up story for ppl like me, which had zero interest in it/some history.
What i learned: i had zero insight/knowledge about being in an astronaut, esp. Insight, related to physics of space. How its so dangerous, could possibly be scary if u have zero knowledge about .. transitioning air vs. Zero air. That part barely blew my mind.
Loved it.
- PurpleTreee
- Jan 14, 2022
- Permalink
i liked the movie very much at first i thought its American movie spoken in Russian but at the end of found out that its a pure Russian movie, i would love to see more movies, one of the greatest movies of 2017. everything is good with the movie. strongly recommended. heart touching and intense. good luck
- khaledsafi-63428
- Oct 6, 2017
- Permalink
Very realistic, but the opposite is that the ups and downs are not obvious, less than Hollywood's emotional power of a Pacific Ocean.
This is a great and touching film about human values and space exploration. I particularly liked the scene when the frost-covered Soviet spacecraft Voskhod 2 soared into the sky from snow covered Mother Russia, rising into the Cosmos, and taking humanity into a new age of space exploration. What I also enjoyed about this story, is that the two cosmonauts rose above the petty rivalry and squabbling during that time - within the Soviet government as well as with the United States - the negative elements of the "space race" between the Soviet Union and the United States having been counter-productive in many ways. Luckily though, those times are in the past. I think it is safe to say that both Western and Russian space pioneers nowadays work very well together, and do a lot of cool stuff in the Cosmos together, to further space exploration - such as improving spacecraft propulsion; which is still in the dark ages and urgently needs to be improved. (Spacecraft propulsion still being basically the same as in the 1960's; no physics breakthroughs having succeeded yet to improve spacecraft propulsion. So NASA will also have to pull up their socks :) On another note, I think the actors did a great job in their portrayal of Alexei Leonov and Pavel Belyayev; not only providing an insight into their careers as cosmonauts and aviators, but also into their lives and personalities; the whole picture emphasising very much the humanity of those two great space pioneers.
- Dr_Mark_ODoherty
- Sep 14, 2020
- Permalink
I watched a documentary analysis of that film on the "historical accuracy" presented by creators. Such a huge difference with reality, such a huge number of Hollywood cliches ... I will no longer respect myself if I give this false painted fairy tale high rating. Those who gave a high rating to this fake, and are praising it would be worth seeing/reading about what they praise.
- SilverOrlov
- Mar 15, 2019
- Permalink
This movie is a must if you are fan of the space years in the 60's where it all begun....good thriller with drama and accurate comic scenes...a good and interesting Russian movie based in the 60's but no political propaganda at all...I recommend it if you want to try something different than the usual Hollywood flick.
For a movie based on a true event, it's quite accurate!
I checked on Wikipedia all what have happened from take off to landing, it's all there.
Actors are good, picture is good, script is good, special effects are very good, I did love this movie. Also a very good friendship story.
I should add, that now I have understood why Alexei Leonov did not get back legs first as it shows very well, in this movie, the problem he encountered and why he was forced to get in, head first. Very well made demonstration and FX.
I have to say that they added drama which was not necessary like the bouncing part in space was not true, or scene in the tundra was too much and not true. But i did love the all movie.
I checked on Wikipedia all what have happened from take off to landing, it's all there.
Actors are good, picture is good, script is good, special effects are very good, I did love this movie. Also a very good friendship story.
I should add, that now I have understood why Alexei Leonov did not get back legs first as it shows very well, in this movie, the problem he encountered and why he was forced to get in, head first. Very well made demonstration and FX.
I have to say that they added drama which was not necessary like the bouncing part in space was not true, or scene in the tundra was too much and not true. But i did love the all movie.
- AliensReservoir
- Apr 11, 2021
- Permalink
If you liked Apollo 13 you will love this. EXCELLENT! True pioneers.