Father of a Soldier (1964) User Reviews

What Am I Going to Say to Your Mother?

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 27 November 2014]

In the World War II, the peasant Giorgi Makharashvili (Sergo Zakariadze) receives a letter from his beloved soldier son Goderdzi, who is fighting in the front driving a tank, telling that he was shot in the shoulder and is recovering in a hospital in Dubovo. He leaves his wife and his grapes in Georgia and travels for a long time by train and wagon to reach the hospital. However, he learns that Goderdzi has been discharged and sent back to the front. Giorgi decides to head to Domidovo to seek out his son but he does not find him. He joins the Soviet Army to fight against the Germans expecting to find his son. Will he succeed in his search for Goderdzi?

"Jariskatsis mama", a.k.a. "The Father of a Soldier", is a touching and beautiful Georgian and Russian antiwar movie. The plot alternates funny moments with dramatic situations in an impressive environment of war. Sergo Zakariadze has a magnificent performance in the role of a family man that needs to see his "tall and handsome" son no matter the price; otherwise what will he say to his wife and friends? The heartbreaking conclusion of this little masterpiece is very sad but never corny. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Pai do Soldado" ("The Father of the Soldier")

Beautiful film!

[yakflora · 9/10 · 18 March 2006]

SPOILER AHEAD

This was a magnificent film. I found the old fellow very lovable and just a gem of a character. I am not Georgian at all, but a Texan, so there you have it- this is a movie that goes beyond cultural pride.

The heart of this film is the heart of Giorgi, and he made me laugh and cry, he made me want to shout "hurah!" and shake my fist at annoying people. He made me want to grow a vineyard, smell the soil, and he made me cry. The death scene was particularly sorrowful, especially after such a joyful high in the preceding scenes.

The film is a beautiful picture of an earthy, simple man, but filled with wisdom and tradition. The viewer can see that family roots run deep from the dialog, and that Giorgi is an honest patriarch. His generous nature and happy smile, flailing gestures and mournful eyes capture the viewer. I thoroughly enjoyed this film!

profound beauty

[Vincentiu · 9/10 · 16 August 2013]

it is one of my childhood films.a masterpiece by Rezo Chkheidze. a kind of miracle because, after years and years, it remains fresh, touching and impressive. a father in search of his son. a long way. a cruel war. and expressions of deep humanity. it is brilliant demonstration of great acting and a wise script. it is work of an extraordinary director. in same measure, it is proof of a special Eastern manner to discover and transform reality. because the subject is the love. for son, motherland, grapes, values, faith and the large circles of hope. sure, it is not unique. many Soviet films presents the war in different manners. but it is different because its team has huge courage to explore the heart of war in a form who escapes by ideological rules. it can be an answer to "Ivanovo detstvo" but , if you know more about this part of world it is not complicate to discover the traces of Georgian measure of things and facts.in same measure, it can be a variant for Otets i syn by Sergei Potepalov. but, in fact, it is only itself. because Giorgi Maharashvili remains

the signature of order , soft, correct order in a time without sense and measure. and the old song is the strong proof for that.

just watch it!

[darima · 10/10 · 18 September 2008]

I have never even thought about that movie as Georgian. For me - it is a movie of human heart (which is international and has nor borders). I remember when I first watched it - I was not able to fall asleep. The movie had already finished, but I was still crying my heart away. Since that I have seen it a few times and every time I cried (considering that usually I don't do it - for example - movies like Shindler's list can not make me cry). For me it is best movie I have ever seen about cruel essence of war. Movie, which is not declarative (like most soviet time movies about the war) or sentimental (like Spielberg's ones for example), but just so unbelievably touching. Just watch it, but have in mind - whether you want it or not - it will fill your heart with compassion and the process is sometimes quite painful.

Salam Georgia

[vishal_wall · 8/10 · 19 July 2006]

A father leaves his village to meet his soldier son who is wounded and is in the hospital. By the time old man reaches, son has recovered and is sent back to the post. Father decides to join the army to meet his son. Film is a little slow and very predictable. Acting is fantastic and situations very moving. Duration of the film is very short. Its a fine film with good message and good acting. Very expensive war scenes. I am yet to decide if I liked it or not still I must say that the film is very relevant and to the point. It is better than most second world war films west makes in the name of 'freedom' and for 'anti-communist' propaganda. Watch it if you like subtle war films and not mindless action.

Top of Georgian movies

[Ivane · 10/10 · 8 August 2004]

Georgia is a little country with a population of 5 million people and its quite amazing, that we could produce such a great movies... (Unfortunately COULD is the key word here)

This is a touching story of a father who takes this long, sometimes very funny and at the same time very sad journey to find his son... his tall, handsome son...

maybe one have to know Georgia and people of Georgia to understand this movie and especially understand this old man...

And though I give credit to the director, I must admit the movie is great because of Sergo Zaqariadze... this is one of the best actors performances you can find... not only in post-soviet countries... I recommend to rent this movie as well, and maybe get a bit of Georgian Soul...

P.S. I don't see why it is recommended 'Ivanovo detstvo' (1962)... GREAT movie from GREAT TARKOVSKI... but nothing in common with 'Father of a Soldier'

Strong, hard, realistic...

[qeboqebson-97486 · 10/10 · 14 November 2017]

This movie is simply a masterpiece! Loving father searching his son,war,heavy atmosphere,music-all of this gives the film a unique charm, which is why we can freely call it Georgian Masterpiece.In addition to Rezo Chkheidze's direction,must be mentioned the great performance of Sergo Zakariadze-this is the main reason,why we love this film,i think. It is true that I am Georgian, and I was watching the film may be a little subjective, but I think this film is not only for Georgians, but for those,who knows what is war and losing your own son... I advise everyone to see this true Georgian classic, which gives the viewer the unique emotions and forever endears itself.

I agree, it's one of the best movies ever

[imdbfreeeeeeeak · 10/10 · 21 June 2003]

though people don't care about other traditions or foreign movies, or specifically about Georgia, if you mistakely read this post, then I really recommend you to rent this movie. this is one of the Greates Georgian movies, since I'm Georgian i maybe be wrong, cause I love my country and culture and i am proud of such things as this movie, it's so moving and so funny. by the way, Gio, are you Georgian? cause it's Georgian name.

about the small things

[Kirpianuscus · 26 February 2017]

A war film. like any other. because it is a film about basic, small, insignificant things of life. an admirable cinematography. and small, moving details from a long, hard way. it is not a history lesson, it is not a pledge for abstract virtues, it is not a sentimental story. it is only the map of a trip of a father from a Georgian village, to see his son . and it is enough. in same measure, it is the film of Sergo Zakaridze. who propose an unique Georgi, reflecting the feelings and the force and the vulnerability of every father. it is difficult to describe it. because it is a simple film. not the Soviet political vision about the Great War. not the looking for impress. only a story about an old man and his travels, his huge generosity and his sense of life. his wisdom. and this does it almost an experience. useful. refreshing. and essential to define the war not as event but as slice from an ordinary life.

One of The Greatest Movies of All Times

[gio73 · 10/10 · 3 June 2003]

This is the great movie about war. This is the story about an old man, who takes a long journey through the war seeking his injured son. He becomes a real father of soldiers with whom he fights shoulder by shoulder. He reaches Berlin to finally find his son dead in his arms.

Very heart touching movie

[lukagabashvili · 10/10 · 9 May 2020]

Ww2 one of the best Soviet Union movie about a simple,Gerorgian (-kakhetian) oldman, and about his son,named Goderdzi...

Another Over-Rated Russian War Film!

[chrissso · 4/10 · 5 April 2016]

Maybe it's me but I am very skeptical of a movie that comes from the Iron Curtain in 1964. There are just too many that are so bloody bad. For instance: The Cranes are Flying (1960), Ivan's Childhood (1962), Ballad of a Soldier (1959), Ashes & Diamonds (1959) … I could go on and on. They all just feel so outdated, low budget, melodramatic and amateur!

This film is no different, outdated, low budget, melodramatic and amateur! And no, I do not connect with the old man (the scenes where he kills the German and defends the grapes where particularly bad) and this was supposed to be the films strength. Perhaps it would have been easier had he not been portrayed as this ugly ogre for the first third of the film. Finally I was not moved by the films climax as it was so freakin predictable!

On the other hand the film did have a few remarkably good battle scenes that typified the early part of the Red Army's march to Berlin. But these were not enough to save this obvious piece of Soviet propaganda. After all, while this nice old man was trying to get to his son over 2,000,000 woman were being raped and Stalin had his eye on half the continent. Bad Huns! Bad Huns!!!

4 of 10 stars.

really great movie

[chakvis · 10/10 · 3 September 2022]

It's a really great movie that really shows the horrors of war. Also, the director beautifully painted the face of the Georgian peasant (Giorgi Makharashvili), how pleasant, how right-wing, how just, who only cultivates the land, grows grapes and is happy with that. Giorgi learns that his tank driver son (Goderdzi) was wounded and is in the hospital to recover. At the insistence of Goderdze's mother, Giorgi will go to see her son in the hospital, which is not very close and it will take several days to get there. Giorgi will reach the hospital anyway..., I will only repeat Giorgi's last words What Am I Going to Say to Your Mother?

Best film !

[nika_levanidze · 10/10 · 8 May 2022]

I proud for my country and also rezo chkheidze is genius. This film for me is best which I have seen The most sad and at the same time Amplifier. The attitude of the main character towards grapes is amazing because Georgia is the homeland of grapes . The film has been blocked by Russia for a long time since Giorgi struck a Russian soldier. This is my favorite episode.

A movie about universal feelings

[yaxopi-14613 · 10/10 · 12 March 2024]

This film is a magnificent example of post-war soviet films. It tells the story of Georgiy Maharashvili, who went through the entire war to find his son, whom he had not seen for a very long time.

This film, first of all, shows us what a person should be. Sergo Zakiaradze (the actor who played the role of the father), screenwriter Suliko Zhgenti and director Rezo Chekhiadze perfectly conveyed the cultural characteristics of their nation, with their traditions and customs. Just look at the scene with the tankers who decided to drive their car over a German vineyard. And when the main character hears a Georgian song in a broken building and realizes that he hears the voice of his own son, whom he has been looking for for so long along military roads... there are simply no words, only powerful emotions.

This is simply a very high-quality and emotional Soviet movie with a very powerful message. Please give it a chance.