This Latvian film depicts hell on the battlegrounds through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old boy named Arturs during World War l. In this period of time, I learned that the Latvians had been infringed and butchered by neighboring countries such as Germany and Russia. To gain freedom, even children had to fight with rifles in their hands and their innocent blood was spilt.
Although the overall style of this film is rather subdued, it conveys the pain and the horror the boy experiences very intensely. Even the battle scenes aren't overly dramatic which makes the film more realistic. Very sad yet a powerful story to watch.
37 Reviews
This happens when you kill my dog (and mum)!
frank-liesenborgs7 November 2021
"Blizzard of Souls" tells the story of a young man, Arturs Vanag (Oto Brantevics). This is story like so many other war stories hitting the theatres lately. The difference lies in the details. Once the movie starts, you get sucked into the story, knowing what will happen. After German soldiers kill his mother and the family dog, he signs on with the Latvian battalion of the Imperial Russian Army, along with his father and brother. Then more tragedy strikes. I was really impressed by how the movie was filmed and the awesome acting of Oto Brantevics (first movie role and casted out of 1300 candidates). The last part of the movie is slower paced and makes you think about Artur. All the choices he made seemed the wrong ones. But are there good ones in a war like this. The storytelling tackles two wars and the absurdity of the war. Again, if you like war movies, this one you have to see. There are really awesome scenes you will not forget.
James Ryan in Latvia
DLochner12 March 2021
Latvia, the playground of other nations. A small country suffering from the war. You don't often get to see something cinematic from Latvia. And this film in particular can compete with greats in the world. Even if the budget has certainly lost some of its visual power, it is intense and always believable.
Due to the low budget, the film is full of ingenuity. Especially seeing the fight scenes without pompous music is just very stressful and looks very real.
Unfortunately from the second third the film loses its speed and its emotional connection to the viewer. It becomes banal and harmless. In addition, the actors are sometimes not very convincing. Still absolutely worth seeing.
Due to the low budget, the film is full of ingenuity. Especially seeing the fight scenes without pompous music is just very stressful and looks very real.
Unfortunately from the second third the film loses its speed and its emotional connection to the viewer. It becomes banal and harmless. In addition, the actors are sometimes not very convincing. Still absolutely worth seeing.
"Fantastic, better than 1917"
MovieIQTest22 December 2020
I completely agree with reviewer, fernandojnfalmeida's short but right on the money review:
Quote: "Fantastic, better than 1917 fernandojnfalmeida-672-22614620 November 2020 Let's say it's a 1917, with better cinematography, with a plot at a much higher level and a density and complexity of historical facts stratospheric compared to 1917." Unquote
The movie 1917 that won an Oscar is still a clueless myth to me. The whole movie was merely about two British grunts volunteered or been forced to carry out an alert mission. What we saw was just a camera followed those two young men went through the battlefield with actually nothing to tell, except when a German plane after bombing was shot down by the British riflemen on the ground. That was the only incident worth mentioning. Other than that episode, there's nothing special to tell. We just followed the damn camera which followed those two grunts backs went through the whole lame movie to the end.
But "Blizzard of Souls" is a totally different achievement. Telling us how a young kid under 17 from a farm boy to grow up into a seasoned veteran, who lost his mother, father and later lost his big brother. Wounded so many times, almost was killed several times, even escaped from an execution.
The movie itself is a saga, a journey throughout the four seasons, so many deaths, so many losses, so many bloody battles, bleeding, wounds. When the movie ended and the credit appeared, you would see those photos in black and white shot at that time were all subtly acted, directed and edited with the real actors to realize truthfully. The harshness of the fate of that little country, first invaded and raped by the German, then cheated, manipulated by the Tsars, then again coerced, forced and cheated by the Soviet Russia. A small but tough nation not liberated from the slavery of the Red Communist Russia until late in the 20th Century and finally allow the world to know what a beautiful country it is. What a journey!
If the lousy "1917" could win Oscar, then this "Blizzard of Souls (The Rifleman)" should win more! I am also quite amazed that a small country could produce and present to us such a mature and wonderful war movie. Everything looked authentic and real, battle scenes, costumed, make-up, editing, directing and acting are very very good. Every scene was so detailed and carefully shot. What a nice work! I never got bored, lost focus and became impatient from the beginning to the end.
Highly recommended!
Quote: "Fantastic, better than 1917 fernandojnfalmeida-672-22614620 November 2020 Let's say it's a 1917, with better cinematography, with a plot at a much higher level and a density and complexity of historical facts stratospheric compared to 1917." Unquote
The movie 1917 that won an Oscar is still a clueless myth to me. The whole movie was merely about two British grunts volunteered or been forced to carry out an alert mission. What we saw was just a camera followed those two young men went through the battlefield with actually nothing to tell, except when a German plane after bombing was shot down by the British riflemen on the ground. That was the only incident worth mentioning. Other than that episode, there's nothing special to tell. We just followed the damn camera which followed those two grunts backs went through the whole lame movie to the end.
But "Blizzard of Souls" is a totally different achievement. Telling us how a young kid under 17 from a farm boy to grow up into a seasoned veteran, who lost his mother, father and later lost his big brother. Wounded so many times, almost was killed several times, even escaped from an execution.
The movie itself is a saga, a journey throughout the four seasons, so many deaths, so many losses, so many bloody battles, bleeding, wounds. When the movie ended and the credit appeared, you would see those photos in black and white shot at that time were all subtly acted, directed and edited with the real actors to realize truthfully. The harshness of the fate of that little country, first invaded and raped by the German, then cheated, manipulated by the Tsars, then again coerced, forced and cheated by the Soviet Russia. A small but tough nation not liberated from the slavery of the Red Communist Russia until late in the 20th Century and finally allow the world to know what a beautiful country it is. What a journey!
If the lousy "1917" could win Oscar, then this "Blizzard of Souls (The Rifleman)" should win more! I am also quite amazed that a small country could produce and present to us such a mature and wonderful war movie. Everything looked authentic and real, battle scenes, costumed, make-up, editing, directing and acting are very very good. Every scene was so detailed and carefully shot. What a nice work! I never got bored, lost focus and became impatient from the beginning to the end.
Highly recommended!
Not a bulls eye..
bryangary6517 December 2020
Best movie ever about beginnings of Latvian state.
krisjaniszarins11 November 2019
A moving story of teenager, who joins army to fight for his people, and his coming-of age against the backdrop of terrors of first World War I, then Russian revolution and finally Latvian War of Independence. A film making at its best, and an especially moving story for Latvians, as it all really happened just a hundred years ago, a birth of our nation state.
Official Foreign Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards 2021 (subtitled)
Starfilmsgold21 January 2021
Based on true events and the novel by Aleksandrs Grins, it is a moving story of friendships and strong camaraderie amongst the soldiers in the WW1 battlefields of Latvia (part of old Russia in 1915). Undaunted by guns, grenades, snipers, bayonets, blizzards, and all the bloody horrors of WW1 ... fearless Latvians were proud to defend their homeland from the Germans.
Young actors and engaging characters make compelling watching. The Isle of Death and Christmas fights. I usually do not like war movies (bloodshed) but after 30 mins of viewing, I was hooked. l had to watch it to the end just to see what happened to the FRIENDS who fought TOGETHER - HEROES OF LATVIA. Historically, 1.2M Latvians died in that war. Not telling if the boy hero Arturs, or any of his friends survived the war ... but you might need a hanky at the end of the movie.
I'm buying the video from Amazon Prime, as it really is a good movie that you could and would want to watch again, unlike most war films which are too grisly gore fests. It premiered with Screen International on-line screenings yesterday. Good luck to cast and crew with this year's Oscars.
Young actors and engaging characters make compelling watching. The Isle of Death and Christmas fights. I usually do not like war movies (bloodshed) but after 30 mins of viewing, I was hooked. l had to watch it to the end just to see what happened to the FRIENDS who fought TOGETHER - HEROES OF LATVIA. Historically, 1.2M Latvians died in that war. Not telling if the boy hero Arturs, or any of his friends survived the war ... but you might need a hanky at the end of the movie.
I'm buying the video from Amazon Prime, as it really is a good movie that you could and would want to watch again, unlike most war films which are too grisly gore fests. It premiered with Screen International on-line screenings yesterday. Good luck to cast and crew with this year's Oscars.
Very inspiring and uplifting!
eloLatvia10 November 2019
This film tells a story based on a novel "Dveselu putenis" by Aleksandrs Grins.
Novel is too long for the film, so Scriptwriter Boris Frumin took the best parts to match 120 minute playtime.
Film resembles war tragedy, as scriptwriter Boris Frumin puts it. Many people gave their time and energy, you can literary feel it in the movie. That important it was. Our nation needed it. This is a people's film. Very inspiring and uplifting.
This film have a wide appeal. Just go and see it!
Film resembles war tragedy, as scriptwriter Boris Frumin puts it. Many people gave their time and energy, you can literary feel it in the movie. That important it was. Our nation needed it. This is a people's film. Very inspiring and uplifting.
This film have a wide appeal. Just go and see it!
Soul-shaker : superb Latvian movie!
marruciic18 November 2019
First ever thought after movie credits started to appear on the big screen line after line was - I want to hold on to the feeling this movie has been awakening inside of my soul.
It's hard to tell a story about a time that has been long gone, yet is in people's memories trough books and history lessons in school. Nevertheless - creators of "Blizzard of souls" are touching audiences with the simplicity, with extracted one person perspective, one joy and love, one...
This is actually extremely hard to shine light on history trough a personal journey trough war days and relationships that are formed by the rush of war - everyone understands the urgency to take action and live this very second, to fullest, since there's great chance that might be the last sunrise, last meal, last kiss. Yet everyone is hoping to be able to live long enough to have that peace after.. Movie balances, telling us all the mix of emotions via superb camera work, brilliant movie soundtrack and acting that is heavenly simple and to the point.
Some of the episodes are proudly written in the golden heritage of Latvian cinema, some will be.
This is the movie that starts great line of stories - after the Alexander Green masterpiece here as cinematic marvel, people should watch "Chronicles of Melania" - these both are letting foreign people to understand the utmost importance and pain we feel and can make you understand why all the time under the soviet oppression was so dark for people who just recently had to fight so courageously to have own time, own country and own values..
No - this is not an easy and entertaining movie.
This is a soul shaker.
I would love to see 11 stars out of 10 - but giving here full 9 - as my effort towards "less biased" ratings.
Must see!
Masterpiece that is to be remembered for decades to come.
brunoskulte21 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Everybody who i have discussed this movie with has said that it is impressive. And i believe anyone reading believes it too.
Blizzard of souls excellently captures the horrors of war and that is what i believe to be it's greatest achievement. The VFX and SFX combined with great directional choice of bringing more shock than empathy gives the best insight of how it was to be on the battlefield.
I feel like all the other compliments about this movie have been said more than enough and that is why now i want to focus on what i did not like.
You can't get attatched to any of the characters. Even the main one. Most of them are well-acted but bring no real personality. I really liked the mother of the main character Arturs but she died in about first 5 minutes of the film. The main character Arturs is a very good character on paper. A masterful actually. But to be honest the actor is yet to prove himself. His performance was underwellming.
Also the score was pretty uninspired. Just some basic stuff you find in most movies.
The end was really something confusing and stupid at parts. Arturs overestimates his power and starts walking around totally exposed to germans. Such a stupid and urelatable decision that is very absurd. Of course, he gets shot. In the chest. No explaination did he die or not. The movie continues going as what i thought was a flashback but one scene later it is finally clear he had survived. That was very confusing but probably subjective matter.
Of course there is still a lot to appreciate. Impressive filmmaking and definitely worth the time.
Blizzard of souls excellently captures the horrors of war and that is what i believe to be it's greatest achievement. The VFX and SFX combined with great directional choice of bringing more shock than empathy gives the best insight of how it was to be on the battlefield.
I feel like all the other compliments about this movie have been said more than enough and that is why now i want to focus on what i did not like.
You can't get attatched to any of the characters. Even the main one. Most of them are well-acted but bring no real personality. I really liked the mother of the main character Arturs but she died in about first 5 minutes of the film. The main character Arturs is a very good character on paper. A masterful actually. But to be honest the actor is yet to prove himself. His performance was underwellming.
Also the score was pretty uninspired. Just some basic stuff you find in most movies.
The end was really something confusing and stupid at parts. Arturs overestimates his power and starts walking around totally exposed to germans. Such a stupid and urelatable decision that is very absurd. Of course, he gets shot. In the chest. No explaination did he die or not. The movie continues going as what i thought was a flashback but one scene later it is finally clear he had survived. That was very confusing but probably subjective matter.
Of course there is still a lot to appreciate. Impressive filmmaking and definitely worth the time.
A realy good ww1 movie about a unique front, previously not properely explored.
matisslinde15 December 2020
The movie was realy good, it is definetly the best latvian war movie, and prehaps the best ww1 movie out of all of them. The only problem i can pinpoint is the acting and sometimes the diolouge, wich was decent for most of the characters but sometimes the main characters voice acting was just terible in my opinion. I wouldnt say that the acting ruined the movie tough. Most of it was realy servicable, and i quite like that they didnt take all the overused latvian actors wich were realy tireing. Overall, the movie was fantastic, telling a almost completely unexplored ww1 front, especialy when it comes to wich part of the front. Definetly would recomend to anyone even remotely interested in ww1.
Foreign Film Oscar
chrisgray-9183018 December 2019
WOW
latvija-114239 November 2019
Fantastic film. Tough, but it's our history. In my opinion, every citizen of Latvia should see this film. Indeed, one of the best Latvian films I've ever seen. Yes, some battles, especially the Isle of Death and the Battle of Cesis, could have been more depicted, but the scenes of the Christmas fights were something wow.
The only thing I didn't like was the filming style - I don't know if it was done by purpose, but the camera was very often shaking , and at some moments I wasn't able to enjoy the film by 100%. Especially in fighting scenes.
But it's a great movie all over. 9/10
Thank you.
The only thing I didn't like was the filming style - I don't know if it was done by purpose, but the camera was very often shaking , and at some moments I wasn't able to enjoy the film by 100%. Especially in fighting scenes.
But it's a great movie all over. 9/10
Thank you.
One of the best ww1 movie iv'e seen.
HotDoggyBoomBooM30 October 2021
A superb movie detailing some noticeable apsects on trenches ,deaths, mutilation's ,betrayal and love. Im glad we are born in a time with less invasions unlike these soldiers who knows they are just cannon fodder following their orders to fight evil but at what cost to follow their sense of justice and die for it or follow blindly the people who cause these wars .
Many souls had to die for winning a few meters of the trench and then retreating and then fighting back again .
Many souls had to die for winning a few meters of the trench and then retreating and then fighting back again .
Latvian actors are simply bad
zeltmanis1 April 2020
So, all who gave 10 stars are Latvians. Sure, I am also, but I am objective.
The story overall and the book is great. No doubt there. The history is powerful as well, but let's keep to the movie.
Latvian actors are bad. Just simply bad. Main character was not even a proper actor before.
Due to bad dialogs, bad acting I could not connect to the movie. I know it is par of Latvian history and I wanted to feel connected to this movie, I had no emotional connection to none of the characters.
The budget and special effects are ok-ish. What I liked in the movie was death. I mean, when someone got shot - he died. Instantly. Not like Hollywood movie style - saying last words etc. Also the night after battle was powerful where soldiers have nightmare and could not sleep.
But bad acting kills everything.
For example - movie "We Were Soldiers". I have no connection to Vietnam war or Americans, but that movie got me, Mel Gipson and other actors touched my soul and I was sad, and emotional. This movie - nothing.
Great Latvian movie, reminiscent of 1917
RAFoord2 August 2020
Great movie, just watched it in an English cinema with subtitles.
The visit was spontaneous with no prior knowledge of the movie nor the preceding book.
It was a fantastic representation of the suffering of a small country torn apart by war.
The story gets off to a swift start and scarcely moves away from the battlefield. I don't want to reveal any spoilers, but it's a fairly constant rollercoaster of ups and downs during perilous times.
I would highly recommend anyone to watch the movie, very good, and thought provoking. Enjoy.
Very good for Latvian modern day cinema
mblaubarde18 November 2020
One of the best War movie iv'e seen, A must see,.
thisarananayakkara328 November 2021
Reveal the horrors, cruelties & propagandas of the war. Great Latvian movie! Great actors! . Glad that Word war era ended even corona virus era is better than that time I sincerely hope there want be a word war again.
All quiet on the eastern front
norwell-services15 December 2020
It's hard not to draw similarities between this film and All Quiet on the Western Front ... Its clearly anti-war and anti-Soviet/communist ... The fact that's it's based on real life experiences as mentioned in the end credits lifts this film above the ordinary war film ... This is a great film if you enjoy gritty realistic war films and in some ways it reminds me of Cross of Iron in that respect ... As of Dec 2020 it's on Sky Cinema so if you get a chance watch it ... 10/10 from me
Bad casting
claude65438 January 2022
I recognize the production value on a relatively small budget. I also appreciate the attempt to depict a little-known aspect of WW1.
Casting and directing are the problem. The main character looks and acts like a doofus. You just want to slap him into acting, reacting, anything. He is completely useless. This irreparably detracts from what could otherwise be an interesting movie.
Casting and directing are the problem. The main character looks and acts like a doofus. You just want to slap him into acting, reacting, anything. He is completely useless. This irreparably detracts from what could otherwise be an interesting movie.
The meaning of war
MiguelAReina11 February 2021
It has the virtue of questioning nationalisms and loyalties in the context of the WWI, building a story that does not pretend to be pacifist, but that reflects on the meaning of war. And it certainly achieves a good visual result on a low budget, hiding the enemy in mists and shadows. However, it lacks a director who can strike a balance between the battlefield and the intimate story. Everything is as correct as it is unexciting.
Fantastic, better than 1917
fernandojnfalmeida-672-22614620 November 2020
A work of art
tomszvejnieks12 December 2021
A dramatic and thought provoking tale of the crossroads between big world powers, really shows the brutality and the true colours of war. Perhaps not the greatest movie ever put out there, but for something made in Latvia, this is very impressive. If you are a latvian, then you definitely must see it.
The Russians governments have and...
Blumanowar9 April 2022
(Correction.. Iwrote this for wrong movie but oh well I'll leave it for Russians who might get IMDb :(...and the last paragraph is accurate about the movie.. this was intended for The Pilot, another decent movie if you haven't seen it) )
...will Always will be cowardice, frightened idiots who always choose violence over common sense and negotiations. Until the former KGBs and older line are finally dead, it won't change. Once they die out I believe things will change because you can't hold an entire nation in the dark for long these days. Even the older citizens are clearly so brainwashed after a lifetime of lies... so this will take time. In the meantime we must do whatever we can to help Ukraine keep their democracy. Putin must go first of course but he hides like a scared little rabbit so that'll be difficult. But we must forget the past 20 yrs of somewhat normal relations and realize Putins trying to fulfill his legacy and will stop for naught. Let's hope many good Russians have the courage to overthrow him.
As far as the movie, I enjoyed it very much. Really good war movie!!!
...will Always will be cowardice, frightened idiots who always choose violence over common sense and negotiations. Until the former KGBs and older line are finally dead, it won't change. Once they die out I believe things will change because you can't hold an entire nation in the dark for long these days. Even the older citizens are clearly so brainwashed after a lifetime of lies... so this will take time. In the meantime we must do whatever we can to help Ukraine keep their democracy. Putin must go first of course but he hides like a scared little rabbit so that'll be difficult. But we must forget the past 20 yrs of somewhat normal relations and realize Putins trying to fulfill his legacy and will stop for naught. Let's hope many good Russians have the courage to overthrow him.
As far as the movie, I enjoyed it very much. Really good war movie!!!
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