The algorithm on YouTube throws up some interesting videos now and again. Tonight I came across the 2019 Latvian film "The Rifleman" based on the 1934 novel "Blizzard of Souls" by the Latvian writer Aleksandrs Grīns. The story concerns a young Latvian volunteer who joined the Imperial Russian army in the First World War, and is based on Grīns' own experiences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAOBRidir_M
It was an engaging film, well shot and well acted, and the Great War scenes were excellent. However I felt the film was weaker when it concerned the outbreak of the Russian Revolution and the transitions between that, the Russian Civil War and the Latvian War of Independence. But overall it is worth watching. It would be interesting to read but I cannot see any English translations available.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_of_Souls_(film)
Grīns was rounded up after the Soviet invasion and occupation of Latvia in 1940 and shot in December 1941.
Sounds interesting Chris. I can imagine he was not on Stalin's friends list having been in the Tsar's army, presumably fighting for Latvian independence, and part of the bourgeoise intelligentsia.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was probably the latter two reasons that did it. If he'd bumped off people for being in the Tsar's army, that would mean wiping out nearly everyone who fought in the Red Army during the Civil War too. The main (semi-autobiographical) character was also in the Red Army, but the manner of his recruitment is omitted.
DeleteI must confess to having read little or nothing on the WW1 Eastern Front since my very early twenties.There are intriguing references in Patrick Leigh Fermor’’ s books to folk he meets who served there in big cavalry battles. Perhaps l need to remedy this …
ReplyDeleteI will give the film a look too
Alan Tradgardland
It certainly gives a different perspective to the usual Western Front fare on offer in films. Obviously similar but with different challenges, like how do you make 'trench' lines when the ground is too frozen to dig.
DeleteI'm pretty sure it is available on Amazon or Netflix here in the UK, as I've bookedmarked it to watch at some point. Terrible to hear what happened to the writer though:(.
ReplyDeleteI've not noticed it on Amazon. But then I'm not a big user, mostly watching films on it with my wife, so it won't show up with the algorithm.
DeleteI was unfamiliar with this title. The plot seems very interesting though. I'll guess I'll have to have a look at this at some point.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
You're welcome Roger.
DeleteMother in laws in residence and I need a distraction. Thanks for the link. Grim outcome for Grin it seems.
ReplyDeleteAh! Say no more. Do not whatever you do, imagine the hippo like Reggie Perrin did. And on no account refer to the hippo.
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