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The Ascent

Play trailer Poster for The Ascent 1977 1h 51m Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Two Soviet soldiers leave their starving unit to search a nearby farm for supplies. When they see the Germans have reached it first, they have to retreat deep into enemy territory.

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The Ascent

The Ascent

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Critics Consensus

Harrowing and bleak yet ultimately uplifting, The Ascent surveys the Russian World War II experience with a clear, compassionate eye.

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Critics Reviews

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Kat Sachs Chicago Reader 09/04/2024
Ascent shows a very different form of fear, one that is raw and galling. Go to Full Review Wael Khairy RogerEbert.com 09/23/2022
Shepitko’s film is less interested in presenting a simplistic anti-war message and aims for something higher, spiritual transcendence. Go to Full Review Jennifer Dunning New York Times 03/01/2022
Though familiar, this is a fable re-created with an unabashed sense of grandeur as well as deeply touching humanity. Go to Full Review CJ Sheu Review Film Review 01/23/2024
[Director Larissa] Shepitko demanded that every word, action, gesture, and camera movement be internally motivated, and it shows! Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 06/13/2023
...a scarring B&W anti-war drama worthy of comparison to her husband Elem Klimov’s later Come and See... Go to Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film 03/02/2023
Shepitko etched her name in cinema glory for this achievement. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Merick H @RT59327164 Nov 9 I was very bored by this film and I wasn't, at all, impressed by it visually either. The concept is interesting, but ultimately, this one fell flat for me. See more Kezia N. @RT46631383 Oct 19 Absolutely 100%. It stays with you. See more Ronnie M @spuncake Aug 31 Powerful, real and brilliant .......Easily 5 stars or more ! See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 11/13/2024 A very chilling Russian WWII film based in Belarus and focusing primarily on the reactions of various characters to capture, interrogation and ultimately to execution. One that will be difficult to shake and works as an excellent psychological and philosophical watch as opposed to an all out action war film. Watched on Amazon Prime. See more Patryk G @RT71896368 03/07/2023 Masterfully told story through visual metaphors and religious symbolism. See more Michael M @RT35696549 11/14/2021 A haunting, ethereal film by a director whose career would soon be cut tragically short, The Ascent expertly and poetically examines death and the moral and spiritual confusion caused by living in a world where it was omnipresent. See more Read all reviews
The Ascent

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Cast & Crew

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Larisa Shepitko

Director

Boris Plotnikov

Sotnikov

Vladimir Gostyukhin

Rybak

Lyudmila Polyakova

Demchikha

Anatoliy Solonitsyn

Portnov

Mariya Vinogradova

Village elder's wife

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The Ascent

The Ascent (1977) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Two Soviet soldiers leave their starving unit to search a nearby farm for supplies. When they see the Germans have reached it first, they have to retreat deep into enemy territory.
Director
Larisa Shepitko
Screenwriter
Yuri Klepikov, Larisa Shepitko
Production Co
Tret'e Tvorcheskoe Obedinenie
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
Russian
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 12, 2008
Runtime
1h 51m
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