A Russian disaster film; A story about an ice-breaking ship which collides with a huge iceberg and is forced to drift along the coast of Antarctica. Based in part on real events that occurred in Antarctica in 1985, this film wastes no time in propelling us into the action. The cinematography is impressive. The soundtrack is too melodramatic at times and there are a few continuity problems but overall it serves up engaging drama. The struggle for leadership and direction between the new martinet captain and the younger demoted captain is interesting, touching on themes about unquestioned power.
16 Reviews
Ship of Fools
jarth_58 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
As far as the visual spectacle is concerned, the film delivers solidly. The sense of fragility and danger is constantly maintained by the spectacle of an original natural and utterly inhuman villain in the form of a monolithic iceberg seemingly bent on crushing the ship and her 70 souls. Any scene that involves special effects reflecting this danger are at the least competent and generally effective. It is in relation to story- telling and human drama, in which the film begins to fail.
To qualify my review, i must inform the reader that i was unlucky enough to see this film dubbed in English; typically, i am opposed to seeing a film in anything other than the original language, however i am presently in a foreign country where that option was simply not available. I implore you: AVOID THE DUBBED VERSION AT ALL COSTS! In addition to the emotional content lost with the actors' original voices, some of the choices made in voice direction WERE APPALLING! Example: for no explicable reason, the character of Bannik is endowed with an accent that sounds like a bad combination of Hungarian and Scottish. It grates enough to make you wince! I can't be certain how much of the film is lost in translation until i am able to see this film in the original Russian, but it did hurt the experience somewhat.
We're pretty rapidly introduced to the Mikhail Gromov, a Soviet icebreaker underway off the Antarctic. No clear explanation is ever proffered as to what the ship's mission actually is. The suggestion is that the objective is exploration, however none of the crew are identified as having any clear scientific or exploratory function and no exploration is ever undertaken. In point of fact, it is never discussed in any substance. This exacerbates the confusion of the observer at trying to understand the behaviour of the crew as well as the performance of their captain. This vessel certainly is not ship-shape and Bristol fashion! Clearly, we as an audience are meant to find the crew sympathetic, but their presentation does not make much sense in context. Daily routine seems haphazard, discipline is lax, and the crew appear openly critical of the captain, who for his part, seems an exceptional and illogical choice to his appointment. This is not so much a crew of a ship as it is apparently an assortment of individuals who happen to be aboard a ship.they appear amiable enough to one another, yet when confronted with a threatening predicament, their response is nothing like one might expect from what we are led to believe is a highly experienced crew of a ship designed for operating in the extreme polar conditions. This leads to the most confusing aspect of the film: the portrayal of the captain. Given the sparsity of information on the actual incident that can be obtained (in English), I have to assume that the representation of events in the film at least roughly reflect the reality; if this assumption is correct, then my sympathy for the character of the captain is particularly limited.
Without giving too much of the story away, the initial incident leads to circumstances which call the leadership of the captain into question; when the incident is reported to Leningrad, the Soviet leadership relieves the standing captain of command, and dispatches a replacement (this alone implies that the mission is valuable, yet again no clear explanation is ever provided). Predictably, the incoming captain is a stern disciplinarian bordering on martinet; this sets the scene for a formulaic struggle of wills between the popular, youthful and relate-able first captain, and the acerbic, unapproachable new one. It's a familiar plot device that, while not executed entirely unsuccessfully, still feels uninspired and expected.
It's clear that the intention of the film is to direct the sympathy of the audience towards the younger, original captain; yet his behaviour at times verges from the unpredictable to the utterly irresponsible; his motivation in attempting to selflessly help his ship is obvious in a juvenile way, but any observer must conclude that his actions are ultimately ill-advised and immature. In the meantime, the relieving captain is, at least initially, seemingly preoccupied with alienating everyone around him. Neither man,apparently, has any control over the crew, who at times seem to display no sense of discipline or command integrity, especially for a soviet crew of a ship undertaking what is implied to be a mission of certain underscoring political significance to the soviet leadership.
In short: the ship appears immersed in chaos. While it is conceivable that the circumstances of the ship's predicament would lend themselves to issues of discipline and confusion, it also seems apparent that the filmmakers are simply trying to heighten the tension. To my mind, this is to the detriment of the story. The overall behaviour of both the crew and the two captains is at various times confusing and illogical. More effort has been made, in the case of the first captain, for example, to present him as likable and appealing, than to credibly present him within the parameters of his responsibilities. Furthermore, his haphazard character development is not unique. Other characters, without giving too much away, are even more erratic in places. There are points in the story in which the actions of certain characters simply make no sense whatsoever (remember: captain's cabin, helicopter pilot, flare gun, knock on the door; you'll see what i mean).
It is a pity because i was genuinely engaged by overall story and sufficiently intrigued that i hope to be able to find more information about this ship and its incredible story. If only a little more time and effort had been expended on developing the characters, perhaps almost as much as was expended on animating that iceberg, impressive though it is. This is not what i would call a bad film; it could have been so much better though...
To qualify my review, i must inform the reader that i was unlucky enough to see this film dubbed in English; typically, i am opposed to seeing a film in anything other than the original language, however i am presently in a foreign country where that option was simply not available. I implore you: AVOID THE DUBBED VERSION AT ALL COSTS! In addition to the emotional content lost with the actors' original voices, some of the choices made in voice direction WERE APPALLING! Example: for no explicable reason, the character of Bannik is endowed with an accent that sounds like a bad combination of Hungarian and Scottish. It grates enough to make you wince! I can't be certain how much of the film is lost in translation until i am able to see this film in the original Russian, but it did hurt the experience somewhat.
We're pretty rapidly introduced to the Mikhail Gromov, a Soviet icebreaker underway off the Antarctic. No clear explanation is ever proffered as to what the ship's mission actually is. The suggestion is that the objective is exploration, however none of the crew are identified as having any clear scientific or exploratory function and no exploration is ever undertaken. In point of fact, it is never discussed in any substance. This exacerbates the confusion of the observer at trying to understand the behaviour of the crew as well as the performance of their captain. This vessel certainly is not ship-shape and Bristol fashion! Clearly, we as an audience are meant to find the crew sympathetic, but their presentation does not make much sense in context. Daily routine seems haphazard, discipline is lax, and the crew appear openly critical of the captain, who for his part, seems an exceptional and illogical choice to his appointment. This is not so much a crew of a ship as it is apparently an assortment of individuals who happen to be aboard a ship.they appear amiable enough to one another, yet when confronted with a threatening predicament, their response is nothing like one might expect from what we are led to believe is a highly experienced crew of a ship designed for operating in the extreme polar conditions. This leads to the most confusing aspect of the film: the portrayal of the captain. Given the sparsity of information on the actual incident that can be obtained (in English), I have to assume that the representation of events in the film at least roughly reflect the reality; if this assumption is correct, then my sympathy for the character of the captain is particularly limited.
Without giving too much of the story away, the initial incident leads to circumstances which call the leadership of the captain into question; when the incident is reported to Leningrad, the Soviet leadership relieves the standing captain of command, and dispatches a replacement (this alone implies that the mission is valuable, yet again no clear explanation is ever provided). Predictably, the incoming captain is a stern disciplinarian bordering on martinet; this sets the scene for a formulaic struggle of wills between the popular, youthful and relate-able first captain, and the acerbic, unapproachable new one. It's a familiar plot device that, while not executed entirely unsuccessfully, still feels uninspired and expected.
It's clear that the intention of the film is to direct the sympathy of the audience towards the younger, original captain; yet his behaviour at times verges from the unpredictable to the utterly irresponsible; his motivation in attempting to selflessly help his ship is obvious in a juvenile way, but any observer must conclude that his actions are ultimately ill-advised and immature. In the meantime, the relieving captain is, at least initially, seemingly preoccupied with alienating everyone around him. Neither man,apparently, has any control over the crew, who at times seem to display no sense of discipline or command integrity, especially for a soviet crew of a ship undertaking what is implied to be a mission of certain underscoring political significance to the soviet leadership.
In short: the ship appears immersed in chaos. While it is conceivable that the circumstances of the ship's predicament would lend themselves to issues of discipline and confusion, it also seems apparent that the filmmakers are simply trying to heighten the tension. To my mind, this is to the detriment of the story. The overall behaviour of both the crew and the two captains is at various times confusing and illogical. More effort has been made, in the case of the first captain, for example, to present him as likable and appealing, than to credibly present him within the parameters of his responsibilities. Furthermore, his haphazard character development is not unique. Other characters, without giving too much away, are even more erratic in places. There are points in the story in which the actions of certain characters simply make no sense whatsoever (remember: captain's cabin, helicopter pilot, flare gun, knock on the door; you'll see what i mean).
It is a pity because i was genuinely engaged by overall story and sufficiently intrigued that i hope to be able to find more information about this ship and its incredible story. If only a little more time and effort had been expended on developing the characters, perhaps almost as much as was expended on animating that iceberg, impressive though it is. This is not what i would call a bad film; it could have been so much better though...
Telling of Russian and Soviet culture-- and a hidden message!
vikpk12 March 2017
This is an interesting story, based on true events. I must say the movie fails the typical standards of the trade: there are intense moments but without the classical build up, climax and conclusion.
It is truthful to the Russian/Soviet/Communist way of doing things although the time is 1985 when the "perestroika" was happening. The harshness of the system is clearly seen in the replacement captain. The unyielding nature of good people even in the face of the regime is shown by the younger captain.
However, I think there was a message in the movie that was hidden even from the actual authors, actors and directors. What you can see in the story is that Russians have this respect for authority beyond human reason. In other words the moral character of the man in authority is beyond question. Yes, there is some rebellion going on, but in the end it becomes clear that one is worthy not because they are morally good, but because they have power. This is a cultural and spiritual reality for other Slavic peoples and those where Eastern Orthodoxy and communism have been in place for centuries. I personally have little tolerance for such values. I cannot accept that there is inherent goodness in power over people, especially when used to assert power for the sake of power. As it will be seen in this movie, such assertion are rather brainless, as they serve no clear purpose, be it moral or utilitarian, but just the assertion of power over the "lower classes." This aspect may be too subtle for some viewers to appreciate, but for me this was the most important message of this film. It delivers in this regard, maybe even unbeknownst to the actual movie makers. That's why I gave it 5, otherwise it is a 4.
In a typical Eastern and European fashion there are moments where the viewer is left scratching his head wondering, and where did this come from? Or what is this sequence trying to tell me?
Cinematography is good, great pictures. If you watch the movie you won't be left feeling like you wasted your time. There is no disgusting language and profanity as in 80% of the Hollywood flicks. But this film is in no way a masterpiece.
It is truthful to the Russian/Soviet/Communist way of doing things although the time is 1985 when the "perestroika" was happening. The harshness of the system is clearly seen in the replacement captain. The unyielding nature of good people even in the face of the regime is shown by the younger captain.
However, I think there was a message in the movie that was hidden even from the actual authors, actors and directors. What you can see in the story is that Russians have this respect for authority beyond human reason. In other words the moral character of the man in authority is beyond question. Yes, there is some rebellion going on, but in the end it becomes clear that one is worthy not because they are morally good, but because they have power. This is a cultural and spiritual reality for other Slavic peoples and those where Eastern Orthodoxy and communism have been in place for centuries. I personally have little tolerance for such values. I cannot accept that there is inherent goodness in power over people, especially when used to assert power for the sake of power. As it will be seen in this movie, such assertion are rather brainless, as they serve no clear purpose, be it moral or utilitarian, but just the assertion of power over the "lower classes." This aspect may be too subtle for some viewers to appreciate, but for me this was the most important message of this film. It delivers in this regard, maybe even unbeknownst to the actual movie makers. That's why I gave it 5, otherwise it is a 4.
In a typical Eastern and European fashion there are moments where the viewer is left scratching his head wondering, and where did this come from? Or what is this sequence trying to tell me?
Cinematography is good, great pictures. If you watch the movie you won't be left feeling like you wasted your time. There is no disgusting language and profanity as in 80% of the Hollywood flicks. But this film is in no way a masterpiece.
Perestroika on Ice
pgeary600111 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Set in the mid-eighties, a Russian icebreaker faces both natural disaster and ethical quandaries while Gorbachev is creating a new political reality back home. Although the pacing is fitful and the CGI is nothing to write home about, the film's heart is in the right place and the digs at Soviet inequities make interesting viewing for Western audiences.
Bonus points: the sailors' pet dog survives the disaster, unlike several crew members. Hate to see film animals go to doggie heaven.
Bonus points: the sailors' pet dog survives the disaster, unlike several crew members. Hate to see film animals go to doggie heaven.
Icebreaker trapped on ice
christophermoverton25 June 2019
An iceberg breaks friendly ice for this Soviet era survival tale. Between Soviet bureaucracy and Russian spirit, a ship and its crew finds itself stalled in Arctic waters with winter's ice advancing. Adding to bureaucratic changes from one seemingly self determined and reckless captain whose near colliding mishap with an iceberg proves too much, this story draws from a number of culminating points which might have served well for hindsight risk analysis. A crew's mutiny adds to the drama of an ending that were more likely a slow moving but still entertaining Sebastian Jünger story. Fortunately for the crew such tale neither ends on a note of deep tragedy and what once might have been an omen of the crew's death serves to provide their safe passage.
CHOPPY
thebushwacker2 October 2021
The story is pretty interesting, but it feels choppy, and incoherent. I get the feeling the editing is the problem. On top of that, you are watching a Russia movie with English over dubbing. In spite of these things, the movie is still intriguing. I wouldn't call it spellbinding . . but it keeps your interest. Olga Filimonova is stunningly beautiful. // The Bushwacker 10/1/2021.
Decent Visuals marred by ludicrous dubbing
Armin_Nikkhah_Shirazi3 May 2022
THE ICEBREAKER, tells a story, apparently based on true events in 1985, of a Soviet ship which gets stuck in ice and is in danger of being hit by an iceberg, all the while waiting for help which, due to Soviet bureaucracy, may not arrive in time.
The strongest point of this film are the visuals: some of the landscape scenes, whether real or CGI, are simply breathtaking. There is also personal drama involving two rival captains which is used to convey social commentary on Soviet culture and the various inefficiencies and injustices it brought about.
Unfortunately, the lousy dubbing kept taking me out of the movie. Technically, it is so bad that at points we know exactly when the original sound is being silenced so that we can hear the dubbed voices. The first time I heard it, I laughed out loud at this amateurishness, which stands quite in contrast to the rest of the film. Also, a kid in the film was dubbed by an electronically distorted adult voice, which sounded just bizarre.
The ridiculously poor quality of the dubbing made it hard for me to evaluate the dramatic aspects of the film because it kept taking me out of it. It also gave me reason to doubt the quality of the translation. At least the overall story, interlacing personal drama with sociocultural commentary, is a good one, and that is what I went by.
This film is mainly for fans of maritime drama and those who enjoy beautiful icy landscapes, but either way, if you do not know Russian, watch the subtitled version.
The strongest point of this film are the visuals: some of the landscape scenes, whether real or CGI, are simply breathtaking. There is also personal drama involving two rival captains which is used to convey social commentary on Soviet culture and the various inefficiencies and injustices it brought about.
Unfortunately, the lousy dubbing kept taking me out of the movie. Technically, it is so bad that at points we know exactly when the original sound is being silenced so that we can hear the dubbed voices. The first time I heard it, I laughed out loud at this amateurishness, which stands quite in contrast to the rest of the film. Also, a kid in the film was dubbed by an electronically distorted adult voice, which sounded just bizarre.
The ridiculously poor quality of the dubbing made it hard for me to evaluate the dramatic aspects of the film because it kept taking me out of it. It also gave me reason to doubt the quality of the translation. At least the overall story, interlacing personal drama with sociocultural commentary, is a good one, and that is what I went by.
This film is mainly for fans of maritime drama and those who enjoy beautiful icy landscapes, but either way, if you do not know Russian, watch the subtitled version.
Impossible to watch with bad dubbing
symmachos12 October 2021
I was intrigued by the trailer so I tried watching this. But instead of the original Russian dialog with subtitles, I got a version with the worst dubbing I've ever heard. It sounds like the same non-actor was voicing all the characters. It was absolutely ridiculous. I couldn't stand it for more than 3 minutes.
Decent movie
SamWizeGanji15 June 2021
The US dvd audio mix is cheep and poorly done. I wish it had the original audio with English subtitles. They turn down the audio and dub the English over the original mix, much of the action and music is muted.
Probably would like it more if it was the original audio.
Probably would like it more if it was the original audio.
A great battle against an ice giant
Chinesevil25 November 2021
I have rarely found a Russian movie pleasant. This one is realistic and very interesting above all because the life of men locked up inside a ship is always a great adventure. The quality of the events in the plot is also remarkable.
Like Das Boot..
cnoonward21 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
...If it were made in your mom's basement by five year olds. Sponsored by the Russian Fur Coat Association, starring a poor man's Colin Farrell and a lush headed Christopher Heyerdahl, this is an impressive study in the art of overdub featuring a single actor performing the voices of all characters. At times like a confused first table reading of soap opera and at others like an insurance pamphlet read aloud. The crew is ruthlessly pursued by an I'll tempered iceberg stalking them slowly while the crew throws a marathon ugly Christmas sweater / track suit party. Plot spoiler: nothing happens, however..
random sub-plots will keep you on the edge of your seat:
A dog barks then steals a sandwich
A man hordes sugar cubes
A sadistic captain does a Peter Townsend impression
An random lady sees a gynaecologist
Men in leather coats make menacing threats
How will it end? Only one thing is certain, not soon enough.
Pretty Bad
wicj15 November 2021
It's not just the dubbing; the dialog is terrible. And as bad as the script is, somehow the editing is worse. There is no suspense. There is no continuity from the cuts on the boat to the ones on shore. The time shifts are unceremoniously mashed up so you have to intuit that you just jumped a few weeks ahead before any mention of it is made. The CGI is passable, the cinematography is pretty good and the storyline might have had some entertainment value as some early point in this filming project but the poor dialogue and amateurish dialogue makes this film almost unwatchable.
Russian Propoganda
AnthonyVincentBruno3 May 2020
A ship in peril and a crew under stress under a Captain they don't trust
Mobius_loop3 October 2021
A Russian language film (I saw the English dubbed version) somewhat based on true events set in 1985. In Antartic waters the ship encounters an iceberg and the Captain is replaced when the ship becomes stuck in the ice. The rest of the story is the tension between the crew and commander under increasingly difficult conditions and uncertainty of rescue. The acting is good throughout and even with the somewhat sloppy translation the individuals and their responses to the situation generate genuine emotional involvement. Since it's based on historical events, you sort of know how it turns out, but you can't resist pulling for the crew and hoping they all survive. Someone called this a propaganda piece, but I disagree since it hardly shows the Soviet state in a good light. I lost count of the negative comments made by the crew regarding the bureaucracy they feel has abandoned them. In fact the representative of the State is painted as a true company tool (something which seems to transcend nationality and politics) and is possibly the only real villian in the film.
HILARIOUS ENGLISH DUBBING
writevjnow-IMDB3 March 2022
I have to base this review on my viewing experience, not necessary what others saw, or head.
You see, I watched much of this with English subbing which was so bad it turned what I assumed was supposed to be a thriller into a comedy. That's why I gave it 4 stars out of 10 because it was so bad that it was hilarious! There was even a child with, obviously, an adult doing the child's voice. I'm surprised the dog didn't speak too.
Also, I think the translation was a bit off. Either that or the screenwriter was drunk.
Oh dear.
Oh, very very dear. 🤣
You see, I watched much of this with English subbing which was so bad it turned what I assumed was supposed to be a thriller into a comedy. That's why I gave it 4 stars out of 10 because it was so bad that it was hilarious! There was even a child with, obviously, an adult doing the child's voice. I'm surprised the dog didn't speak too.
Also, I think the translation was a bit off. Either that or the screenwriter was drunk.
Oh dear.
Oh, very very dear. 🤣
Terrible
davesandlund23 October 2021
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