Red Army, even if you are not a hockey fan, worth a watch...

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

I posted on this back in January if anyone has seen this, but it was not released as of then. My sister and I went to it last weekend, (I was a little surprised it was playing at a big AMC complex and the theater was quite full)...

This is much more of a Cold War movie than a Hockey movie. I really enjoyed it and thought it was done exceptionally well...It shows the propaganda machine of USSR in the 70's-80's and using sport, especially hockey, to show their dominance as a Super Power...

The bulk of the movie is based on interviews, especially with Viacheslav "Slava" Fetisov, (IMHO, the best Defenseman to ever play the game). You get to see what a character this guy is. Arrogant, stern, very little emotion, extremely smart, funny and right as rain...(remind you of anyone on this board??? And I mean this with no negative connotations). Fetisov, if he did not like the question, he would just ignore it or smile. He tells his story with no sign of emotion, just stating the facts of history through his eyes...

It is hard to fathom the amount of pressure and national pride that was thrust upon these hockey players to represent USSR on the world stage...

Anatoli Tarasov is the Grandfather of Soviet hockey. He looked at the game as an art form. Ballet, chess and gymnastics influenced his philosophies and training methods. He did things that no one else would have never thought of. His influence on the game is still felt world wide. He based his coaching style on being a Father figure, teacher and truly loved his players. He brought fluidity, grace and precision to the game. Due to political reasons, he was replaced by Viktor Tikhono.

Viktor Tikhono was a maniacal paranoid dictator. He was the choice of USSR political machine. He incorporated KGB agents as part of team to prevent players from defecting to the West. They were a constant fixture for the intimidation of the players. Holding the threat of negative consequences to the players and their families if they ever got out of line. Tikhono was a spineless rat, (see Capitan Queeg of the Caine Mutiny), was just worried about saving his own hide. Truly hated by his players.

I have been on a documentary kick as of lately. This is a sold 4 out of 5 stars. It is only 88 minutes long and worth a viewing if you like Cold War history. You do not have to be a hockey fan to enjoy this movie. My sister liked it and thought it was fascinating from a historical perspective.
Thanks
Mark

Red Army trailer (Open in New Window)

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Topic - Red Army, even if you are not a hockey fan, worth a watch... - Mark Man 10:48:04 04/03/15 (7)

Did the losers take a trip to the plastic shredder? * - Billy Wonka 17:51:28 04/03/15 (2)

RE: Did the losers take a trip to the plastic shredder? * - Mark Man 07:45:21 04/04/15 (1)

Shame what they did to that guy. nt - Victor Khomenko 10:33:08 04/04/15 (0)

It streams on Netflix, and yes, a very interesting documentary - Victor Khomenko 11:05:40 04/03/15 (3)

BTW, it is TikhonoV...sorry man, me bad...I do agree... - Mark Man 11:46:54 04/03/15 (2)

I somehow missed the part about Putin - Victor Khomenko 13:43:55 04/03/15 (1)

RE: I somehow missed the part about Putin - Mark Man 07:56:20 04/04/15 (0)

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