Watch The Ascent

The Ascent is a 1977 Soviet film directed by Larisa Shepitko. The movie is set during World War II, in a small village in Belarus, where two Soviet soldiers, Sotnikov and Rybak, are on a mission to find food for their comrades. They come across a group of partisans, who ask them to assist in a mission to blow up a German HQ. Sotnikov and Rybak agree to join the partisans on this mission, but things quickly go wrong. They get separated from the rest of the group and are forced to hide in a barn to evade the German soldiers. As they continue their mission, things become increasingly difficult, and they find themselves struggling to survive in the harsh winter conditions.

Throughout the movie, we get a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers and the people they encounter. We see their fears, their struggles, and their hopes for the future. The movie explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the bond between soldiers in times of war.

Boris Plotnikov plays the role of Sotnikov, a soldier who is determined to complete the mission, no matter what the cost. He is a stoic and committed soldier, who is willing to put his own life on the line to protect the lives of his comrades.

Vladimir Gostyukhin plays the role of Rybak, a more emotional and sensitive soldier. He struggles to come to terms with the violence and brutality of war, and often questions the morality of their mission. Throughout the movie, we see him grow and mature as he learns to cope with the harsh realities of war.

Sergey Yakovlev plays the role of Portnov, a local collaborator with the German forces. He is a complicated character, who is torn between loyalty to his country and the need to protect his own family. His story arc is one of the most interesting in the movie, and he serves as a foil to the soldiers, highlighting the difficult choices that people have to make during times of war.

One of the most striking things about The Ascent is its visual style. The movie is shot in black and white, which adds to the stark and bleak landscape of wartime Belarus. The cinematography is beautiful and often haunting, with shots of snow-covered forests and abandoned villages. The movie also makes effective use of silence and sound, with long moments of silence punctuated by sudden outbursts of gunfire and explosions.

Overall, The Ascent is a powerful and moving movie, which explores the human cost of war. It is a movie that stays with you long after you've watched it, and will leave you reflecting on the themes and issues raised by the story. Shepitko was a talented director, who tragically died in a car accident shortly after making the movie. The Ascent stands as a testament to her skill and vision, and is a must-watch for anyone interested in Soviet cinema or war movies in general.