The Thief

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites, but not without the original ending
Review: "The Thief" is one of my favorite Russian films, but this version, apparently one for export, deletes the final scene from the film I saw several times in Russia. Although it was only the final 3 minutes of a wonderful film, it changes the story rather dramatically.

Many critics interpreted the relationship between stepfather and stepson in this film as an allegory for Russians' relationship with Stalin (the stepfather has a tatoo of Stalin on his chest, among other subtle hints). The deleted final scene adds another dimension to this relationship. It takes place in either Chechnya or Afghanistan, at a train station where refugees are trying to escape fighting in nearby streets (including scenes of Russian soldiers executing prisoners by firing squad, which may explain why this was part was deleted from the version for foreigners). A tough Russian officer sees a grimy old man on a stretcher. He calls out to him in a very emotional voice, rushes to him, and rips open his shirt, only to discover he has no tatoo. The officer then boards the train, takes off his shirt, and you see the boy as a man, with exactly the same tatoos as his stepfather had, and its clear he is still looking for him, even though he wanted him dead (as many Russians still think of Stalin). The train pulls out of the station as he stares out the window.

I think the deleted last scene is worth two stars, so I rank this version as a 3 out of 5.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant and moving film
Review: "The Thief" is a brilliant film. The story is simple but truly moving, the cinematography is excellent, and the score is haunting. As for the acting, it is beyond brilliant, transcending the medium and making the viewer really feel for the characters. I have seen "The Thief" many times, and each time I get something more out of it. If you want to be reminded of what film is (or should be) all about, you couldn't do better than "The Thief".

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites, but not without the original ending
Review: "The Thief" is one of my favorite Russian films, but this version, apparently one for export, deletes the final scene from the film I saw several times in Russia. Although it was only the final 3 minutes of a wonderful film, it changes the story rather dramatically.

Many critics interpreted the relationship between stepfather and stepson in this film as an allegory for Russians' relationship with Stalin (the stepfather has a tatoo of Stalin on his chest, among other subtle hints). The deleted final scene adds another dimension to this relationship. It takes place in either Chechnya or Afghanistan, at a train station where refugees are trying to escape fighting in nearby streets (including scenes of Russian soldiers executing prisoners by firing squad, which may explain why this was part was deleted from the version for foreigners). A tough Russian officer sees a grimy old man on a stretcher. He calls out to him in a very emotional voice, rushes to him, and rips open his shirt, only to discover he has no tatoo. The officer then boards the train, takes off his shirt, and you see the boy as a man, with exactly the same tatoos as his stepfather had, and its clear he is still looking for him, even though he wanted him dead (as many Russians still think of Stalin). The train pulls out of the station as he stares out the window.

I think the deleted last scene is worth two stars, so I rank this version as a 3 out of 5.

Rating:
Summary: The Thief
Review: Fascinating character study of th early 50's Stalinist Soviet Union. Beyond the plot which others have already adequately commented, this movie takes a peek at the lives of 2 ordinary Russians who get involved with a career petty thief on the run from the Russian Army. The train scenes and communal apartment scenes are indicative of the lifestyles most urban Russians were living at this time. If you are interested in a realistic impression of Soviet life, this movie is for you.

Rating:
Summary: The movie is about fatherhood
Review: For the little boy, Tolyan is his role model and his teacher, something that an ideal father should be. One important thing that's missing is father's love, and that void is filled up over time with regret, pity, and anger. Too bad that subtitled release of the movie cuts out the last scene that was in the original. It basically shows Sanya today and how his longing for that love chased him throughout the whole life and who he has become in today's Russia.

Rating:
Summary: Good , but not good anouph .
Review: Good film , in russian stile... no good end ... just real life . Gives you good feeling of Stalin apoha in USSR... A story of a kid and his mother . WWII time... all men are gone ... or dead ... no independent women crup - just real life . Her new man ... smart theif , pretending to be a former officer . Using people , being hurt by this war ... to steal from them . Good , I bet somewere a real story ... BUT ! Too fake , the way it was made . Still , not as bad , as I said it was ... but just beware !

Rating:
Summary: Good , but not good anouph .
Review: Good film , in russian stile... no good end ... just real life . Gives you good feeling of Stalin apoha in USSR... A story of a kid and his mother . WWII time... all men are gone ... or dead ... no independent women crup - just real life . Her new man ... smart theif , pretending to be a former officer . Using people , being hurt by this war ... to steal from them . Good , I bet somewere a real story ... BUT ! Too fake , the way it was made . Still , not as bad , as I said it was ... but just beware !

Rating:
Summary: PORN! PORN! PORN! PORN! XXX
Review: I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SUCH A XXX PORN FILM COULD BE PASS A "BEAUTIFUL EPIC FILM ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AFTER WORLD WAR 2." IT HAS NOTHING BUT PORN. IT SHOWS MAIN CHARACTERS DOING IT IN A TRAIN, IN THE ROOM IN FRONT OF A 6 YAER OLD KID, AND ETC. THIS MOVIE MADE ME SICK!!!! HOW COULD PEOPLE IN RUSSIA, KNOWN FOR THEIR INTELLEGENT FILMS COME UP WITH THIS TRASH. SO, UNLESS YOU LIKE PORN, DO NOT BYE THIS FILM. AND THE RATING SHOULD NOT BE R. IT SHOULD BE NC-17, OR X, OR XX, OR EVEN XXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent in its original version, American cut not so good.
Review: I saw this movie for the first time when it came out in Russia. It made a very strong impression on me. I am sure you will also find it hard not to feel for the Russian woman, used to being strong, yet so in need of love and protection, and for the boy searching for a father figure in the same horrible world of post-war Russia. Unfortunately, in its American version, the movie had to be cut (probably to make it shorter). Some of the cuts I don't mind as much but cutting off the end of the movie is just over the top! The European version of the movie has another scene where Sanya, now in his forties and an officer taking part in the Afghanistan war ( a terrible part of Russian history, the Soviet version of Vietnam ) and meets Tolyan (who did not die, after all). I will not tell you the rest, in case you happen to find the European version. But I think this ending wraps up the movie much better than the American one.

Rating:
Summary: UK version not cut
Review: I'd just like to let everyone know who read the comments by the reviewer from Moscow, Russia above that the UK version is uncut and unchanged from the original. In fact I was disgusted to hear that they've cut the ending in the US (DVD?) version. The whole point of the ending shows how Sanyas' life outlook and where he took his life were all being affected by Tolyan. Get the UK version if you can, the US version has been ruined by dropping the original ending.