Alexander Nevsky
I watched this movie last night after I saw it on a worst Medieval movie list. I had heard it was a great movie so I was confused. I needed to practice Russian anyways and the movie was shown free on Netflix so I decided to give it a try. The story is a great epic story based on real history about a real Alexander Nevsky who lived in 13th century Russia and fought against a Teuton army. The movie made in 1938 under the reign of Stalin is propaganda for the USSR and Stalin against the Fascist Germans.
Russia is being attacked at two fronts; Mongols in the East and Germans in the West. Alexander unites the Russians to fight the inhumane Germans for the Mongols can at least be bought off. The Germans only want, like the aliens in Independence Day, for the Russians to die. When Alexander speaks, the sun glows on his face and the wind blows his golden locks as he gives inspirational speeches. He is the Obama of his day. Though a prince, he is not too proud to fish and work with his hands like the peasants for all must work in order to produce ships that will travel the world. Though Russia was very religious in the 13th century, in the movie the religious leaders are corrupt and help the evil Germans. The noblemen are weak and only care for money. It is the peasants who are the heroes who choose the God like Alexander Nevsky as their leader.
The propaganda isn’t so strong so far. Then, evil music starts and we see a Ku Klux Klan like army. Men are wrapped in white sheets like ghosts and carry giant crosses. Their faces are covered by scary masks. They are a mass Teutonic storm trooper army led by a Darth Vader like troop of knights. The leader has devil horns on his helmet and poses like the great Sith warrior. He is being lead by a corrupt shriveled old priest who looks a lot like Darth Sidious. Instead of a cross, there is a swastika around his neck. The evil army of death slaughter the innocent peasants and throw babies in a fire. A church father does the sign of the crucifix before crying children are tossed into a bonfire. Ok, we get it, the Germans are pure evil, and the Christian church is behind this slaughter.
Sadly, three years after this film was made, the Germans really did attack the Russian people, and did throw children into bonfires. It was not done in the name of Christianity however. (It makes me wonder if the anti-Christianity we see in Hollywood started with this movie.) The film was not allowed for release at first because Stalin and Hitler signed a peace treaty. After the pact was broken in 1941, the film was released with great popularity. If seen in that context, the movie’s propaganda is understood and appreciated. The Nazi army slaughtered millions of Russians. Keep in mind though that Stalin already killed millions before the Nazis even entered the USSR and it was for this reason the many Ukrainians flocked to the Nazi side. (Hollywood never tells you that side of the story. Did they learn their history from Soviet propaganda films?)
I am one of those people who love propaganda films. I think they are interesting and tell you a lot about the politics of the time. I laugh a lot at them, but they are fun. I believe they are good from time to time to lift people’s spirits. The USA rarely makes films like this today. Patriotic propaganda is more subtle. (Anti-American propaganda is not!) You can catch patriotic propaganda in films like Star Wars and Independence Day. Most war films today make sure to give you a well rounded view of the enemy. Out of fear of offending people, a lot of films make terrorists European or rogue Americans. One movie had a terrorist who was a renegade Marine who wanted respect. (what?) I just don’t think people are so stupid that they can’t figure out a propaganda film when they see one. They can be fun and can teach you a lot about the mindset of the people of that time. (or at least the government’s!)
Watch Alexander Nevsky,for free, here. Overall, I enjoyed the film!