Rating: 
Summary: Bodrov does it again
Review: This film is absolutly amazing. Everything fits together, from the soundtrack, to the action, to the perfectly balanced love interest. It delves into a sensitive subject without seeming to be preachy or overly romantic or anything like that.An Americanized audience may have trouble with this movie. One of the most frequent complaints I hear is that it is 'slow moving.' It is true that since the film is character driven, there are many long scenes of contemplation, just watching the character's face to see his reaction to something. And while that may appear 'boring' to an audience accustomed to something blowing up every couple minutes, it does really make you appreciate and sympathize with the characters. This DVD is in the original Russian with English subtitles. I was overjoyed at this because many of my favorite foreign films can only be bought here in a dubbed version, and those just never do justice to the originals. The only extra on the disk is the English trailer. If you want to see a really good movie and don't mind reading subtitles, watch this one.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and haunting
Review: This is a wonderful movie, wonderful in its simplicity and powerful in its ending. The scenery, setting, and characters are completely authentic and mesmerizing. I bought the tape because I am a fan of Oleg Menshikov and was not in the least disappoined. (A tip: don't read too much of the VHS cover jacket as it really gives too much of the movie away and is not completely accurate, in my opinion). All the way through the movie you dont't really know what will happen and when at the end you finally do, it is devastating. This movie will stay with you.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully real
Review: This is a wonderfully believable film about many things. War, prejudice, fear, love, but most of all human nature. It is at times tragic, but mostly it's inspiring and hopeful, without being mushy or overly sentimental. It is a glimpse at lives very different, but also very like, our own.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This is one of my absolute favorite movies. Prisoner of the Mountains portrays all of the main characters with warmth and dignity--there are no one-dimensional characters in this film. It is the story of two Russian prisoners, the man who hopes to trade them for his son, and his daughter. The director and the screen writers handled the relationships between them all with warmth and sensitivity.
Rating:
Summary: Prisoner of th Mountains
Review: This movie is hard to watch, and some people have also told me that it was a bit slow... BUT, it is also brilliant. If you are into Hollywood movies that spell everything out for you, then this is not the movie for you. Watch this movie with patience and you will find it both heartbreaking and full of subtle hilarity. Definitely a top choice for foreign movie buffs.
Rating:
Summary: "It doesn't matter. We are enemies."
Review: While on patrol, two Russian soldiers are captured by Chechen rebels. Chechen leader, Abdul Murat (Dzhemal Sikharulidze), a respected man in his own community, plans to exchange the Russians for his imprisoned son. The two Russians respond differently to incarceration. New recruit, Vanya (Sergei Bodrov Jr) makes friends with Abdul's daughter, Dina, but Sacha (Oleg Menshikov), a seasoned soldier, does not lose sight of the fact that the Chechens are enemies.
"Prisoner of the Mountains" is set in the spectacular Caucasus. A portion of the film shows the life and customs of the Chechens, and panoramic sweeps give a sense of the geographical isolation and harshness of the terrain.
"Prisoner of the Mountains" is based on Leo Tolstoy's short story "Prisoner in the Caucasus". The Russian/Chechen war isn't exactly common fodder for filmmakers, so the setting itself is unique. The film examines the idea of war through the individuals caught up in this centuries-old conflict, and it's clear that Vanya really has no squabble with the Chechens, and he sees them as people rather than enemies. But while the story focuses on individuals, these are individuals who are born to play a role in a conflict that began before they were born. A sub-theme in the film is the bond between parent and child. Vanya knows that his mother will not disappoint him, and an incident from his childhood illustrates his enduring faith in her. Murat has a parallel situation with his incarcerated son. He'll do anything to get his son free, and Vanya's mother will do whatever it takes to get her son back. Fans of foreign film, or those interested in the Russian-Chechnya war should seek out this unusual, powerful film. In Russian with English subtitles--displacedhuman
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