Scarlet Sails

Reviews

CinemaSerf
This opens like a Powell & Pressburger film with some glorious photography and musical accompaniment to kick-start an amiable fantasy adventure. It's all about the dreams of the young "Assol" (Yelena Cheremshanova) who has an encounter with a wizard who fills her head with what is seemingly the most impossible dream. She's young and impressionable, though, and very much takes to heart his promise that one day a proud ship will sail into their bay, bedecked in bright red sails, and carrying a prince who will sweep her off her feet. Of course, everyone else in the place is entirely sceptical of her dream but she (now Anastasia Vertinskaya) is determined never to let go of that hope, even though she is by now a fully-grown woman who is the desire of many would-be, if hardly catch-of-the month, suitors. The story is the stuff of fairly standard fairy tale, but Aleksandr Ptushko has pulled out all the stops to give us something that's heavy on the colourful and aesthetic creativity to great effect. The supporting cast manage to mingle the jovial with the decent and yep, there's the obvious cad or two amongst them who are determined that she will end up just like all the other's in their small fishing village. Perhaps it will be "Arthur" (the distinctly Olivier-esque Vasili Lanonvoy) who might just prove her salvation, and not without some considerable sacrifices of his own - all in the name of promises kept and true love's kiss. It's the ultimate feel-good movie this that allows our hearts to rule our heads, refuses to allow mundanity or reality to clutter it and though maybe it's a little long in the middle, shows off the lighter side of Soviet film making in a cheery and uncomplicated manner. I'm not too sure folks nowadays would be allowed to stand on the pier yelling "Assol" without the police being called? Maybe that's not such a good thing.
Movie Recommendation
- The War of the Roses1989-12-08Barbara and Oliver Rose live happily as a married couple. When Barbara starts to wonder what life would be like without Oliver and likes what she sees, the two begin a campaign to force each other to leave their house, with their divorce lawyer D'Amato caught in the middle.More...
- The Master and Margarita1994-06-06The Master is a talented writer in Moscow working on a manuscript about Jesus and Pontius Pilate. The Moscow authorities are harassing Master by surveillance and intimidation. His assistant and muse, Margarita, tries to help the Master through the supernatural powers she got from the devil, Woland, who is visiting Moscow.More...
- The Castle1997-04-10The quirky Kerrigan family lives together in a makeshift home they built themselves – with great pride and a bizarre attention to detail – a few yards from the edge of Melbourne, Australia's busy Tullamarine Airport. When a building inspector condemns the building and reveals that the government plans to use their land for an airport expansion, Darryl Kerrigan and his brood recruit hack attorney Dennis Denuto and prepare themselves for the fight of their lives.More...
- Silver Lily of the Valley2000-12-14How to become a star? Thorny path to Olympus. Young Zoya Misochkina in the backyard of the provincial town "Lokotki" meets two producers, Pridorozhnyy and Bolotov, from whom the prima donna Irma has just fled. Zoya passionately wants to sing, so she joins in with new acquaintances and finds herself in a large apartment with two seemingly serious gentlemen, and with close acquaintance, half-crazy touching clowns. Zoya's life turns upside down. Vocal lessons, beauty salons, gyms, presentations, all this should turn an unknown nondescript girl into a new pop star.More...
- Cruel Intentions1999-03-05Slaking a thirst for dangerous games, Kathryn challenges her stepbrother, Sebastian, to deflower their headmaster's daughter before the summer ends. If he succeeds, the prize is the chance to bed Kathryn. But if he loses, Kathryn will claim his most prized possession.More...
- sex, lies, and videotape1989-08-04Ann, a frustrated wife, enters into counseling due to a troubled marriage. Unbeknownst to her, her husband John has begun an affair with her sister. When John’s best friend Graham arrives, his penchant for interviewing women about their sex lives forever changes John and Ann’s rocky marriage.More...
- Star Trek: Insurrection1998-12-11When an alien race and factions within Starfleet attempt to take over a planet that has "regenerative" properties, it falls upon Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise to defend the planet's people as well as the very ideals upon which the Federation itself was founded.More...
- Children of Men2006-09-22In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.More...
- Zombieland: Double Tap2019-10-09Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.More...
- Mainstream2021-05-07A young woman thinks she’s found a path to internet stardom when she starts making YouTube videos with a charismatic stranger – until the dark side of viral celebrity threatens to ruin them both.More...
- Dune: Part Two2024-02-27Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.More...
- To Live and Die in L.A.1985-11-01When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters.More...
- Antichrist2009-05-20A grieving couple retreats to their cabin 'Eden' in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage. But nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse.More...
- Love, Simon2018-02-16Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier, it's a little more complicated. He hasn't told his family or friends that he's gay, and he doesn't know the identity of the anonymous classmate that he's fallen for online.More...
- Laurence Anyways2012-05-18The story of an impossible love between a woman named Fred and a transgender woman named Laurence who reveals her inner desire to become her true self.More...
- Audition2000-03-03Seven years after the death of his wife, widower Shigeharu seeks advice on how to find a new wife from a colleague. Taking advantage of their position as a film company, they stage an audition. Interviewing a series of women, Shigeharu is enchanted by the quiet Asami. But soon things take a twisted turn as Asami isn’t what she seems to be.More...
- The Terminator1984-10-26In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah. Can he stop the virtually indestructible killing machine?More...
- Casino1995-11-22In early-1970s Las Vegas, Sam "Ace" Rothstein gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro, his ex-hustler wife Ginger, her con-artist ex Lester Diamond and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger.More...
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!1988-12-02When the bumbling Lieutenant Frank Drebin investigates events following the shooting of his partner, he stumbles upon an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.More...
- Mad Max 21981-12-24Max Rockatansky returns as the heroic loner who drives the dusty roads of a postapocalyptic Australian Outback in an unending search for gasoline. Arrayed against him and the other scraggly defendants of a fuel-depot encampment are the bizarre warriors commanded by the charismatic Lord Humungus, a violent leader whose scruples are as barren as the surrounding landscape.More...
Similar Movies
You, Me and Dupree
2006-07-13After standing in as best man for his longtime friend Carl Petersen, Randy Dupree loses his job, becomes a barfly and attaches himself to the newlywed couple almost permanently -- as their houseguest. But the longer Dupree camps out on their couch, the closer he gets to Carl's bride, Molly, leaving the frustrated groom wondering when his pal will be moving out.Russian Dolls
2005-06-15Five years after their summer together in Barcelona, Xavier, William, Wendy, Martine and Isabelle reunite.We Shall Overcome
2006-03-24A drama about a boy who's inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and challenges repressive school authority in 1969 Denmark.Short Sharp Shock
1998-10-15Gabriel, Bobby and Costa are old friends from Altona, a multicultural hood in Hamburg. Just out of prison, Gabriel wants to turn his back on crime, but the others continue to operate as petty criminals. Friendships are tested as the trio navigate a dark world of mafia bosses and deals gone wrong.Popular Music
2004-10-01Matti and Niila, growing up in the mid-sixties in the harsh and conservative environment of a Finnish-speaking part of Tornedalen in Swedish Laponia, close to the Finnish border. Their big dream is to become rock stars. In the present the now grown-up Matti feels guilt for the death of his drug-addicted rock star friend Niila.Sissi
1955-12-22The young Bavarian princess Elisabeth, who all call Sissi, goes with her mother and older sister Néné to Austria where Néné will be wed to an emperor named Franz Joseph, Yet unexpectedly Franz runs into Sissi while out fishing and they fall in love.As It Is in Heaven
2004-09-03A musical romantic tragedy about a famous composer who moves back to his small hometown after having had heart troubles. His search for a simple everyday life leads him into teaching the local church choir, which is not easily accepted by the town yet the choir builds a great love for their teacher.Monsoon Wedding
2001-08-30As the romantic monsoon rains loom, the extended Verma family reunites from around the globe for a last-minute arranged marriage in New Delhi. This film traces five intersecting stories, each navigating different aspects of love as they cross boundaries of class, continent and morality.7 Virgins
2005-10-14Tano is 16-years-old and is already sitting in jail. In 48 hours he’s a free man and off to the wedding of his brother. In the two days he recounts his neighborhood in a section of Sevilla.Fail Safe
1964-10-07Because of a technical defect an American bomber team mistakenly orders the destruction of Moscow. The President of the United States has but little time to prevent an atomic catastrophe from occurring.The Wedding Party
2025-02-26A surprise engagement leads four soon-to-be step-siblings on a 1,400 mile road trip to set aside their differences and become a blended family.The Rise of Catherine...
1934-02-09The woman who will become Catherine the Great marries into the Russian royal family when she weds Grand Duke Peter, the nephew of Empress Elizabeth. Although the couple has moments of contentment, Peter's cruel and erratic behavior causes a rift between him and Catherine. Mere months after Peter succeeds his aunt as the ruler of Russia, a revolt is brewing, and Catherine is poised to ascend to the throne as the country's new empress.The Inheritors
1998-06-19In a small farming valley in Austria in the beginning of the 20th century a tyrannical farmer is found dead, and all the farmhands are relieved to be free of their tyrant. But the farmer was childless, so suddenly they all inherit the farm together. Now conflicts begin, as nobody is the boss and nobody has to obey.The Discovery of Heav...
2001-10-01Disappointed with humanity, God wants to revoke his contract with humanity and wants to take back the stone tablets containing the ten commandments. To this end an angel is sent out to affect the personal lives of three humans so an appropriate child may be conceived.Rocky IV
1985-11-21Rocky Balboa holds the world heavyweight championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This time, Rocky's training regimen takes him to Siberia, where he prepares for a globally televised match in the heart of Moscow. But nothing can truly prepare him for what he's about to face – a fight to the finish, in which he must defend not only himself, but also the honor of his country!Ice
2018-02-14Contemporary Russia. Nadya gives up her dream of becoming a champion figure skater when she is hospitalized with an injury. But then she meets Sasha, a hockey player, who decides to teach her to believe in herself and her dream again.The Spacewalker
2017-04-06March 1965. In the heat of the Cold War, the USA and the USSR are competing for supremacy in space. What both superpowers aim for in this race, is to be the first to have a man walk in outer space. To accomplish that, no price is too high and no risk is too great. Now it’s up to the unlikely duo of a seasoned war veteran and a hot-headed test-pilot to fulfill this mission. Two men in a tiny spaceship, without proper testing, facing the complete unknown. They were supposed to do what no man has done before—and no man imagined what would happen next.Mouchette
1967-03-28A young girl living in the French countryside suffers constant indignities at the hand of alcoholism and her fellow man.Meet the Parents
2000-10-06Greg Focker is ready to marry his girlfriend, Pam, but before he pops the question, he must win over her formidable father, humorless former CIA agent Jack Byrnes, at the wedding of Pam's sister. As Greg bends over backward to make a good impression, his visit to the Byrnes home turns into a hilarious series of disasters, and everything that can go wrong does, all under Jack's critical, hawklike gaze.Hitman
2007-11-21A genetically engineered assassin with deadly aim, known only as "Agent 47" eliminates strategic targets for a top-secret organization. But when he's double-crossed, the hunter becomes the prey as 47 finds himself in a life-or-death game of international intrigue.