Soviet Propaganda Film Reveals Essential Elements of Cinema Experience

In an age of endless sequels and reboots, a Soviet propaganda film from 1938 captivated one viewer’s attention in ways modern cinema often fails to achieve. Sergei Eisenstein’s “Alexander Nevsky,” chronicling a 13th-century Russian prince’s victory over invading German Teutonic knights, proved unexpectedly engaging despite initial reservations.

The film, assigned as homework for the Havighurst Colloquium, seemed an unlikely candidate for entertainment. “I’m not particularly interested in the Middle Ages, and I don’t like battle stories,” the viewer admitted, expecting nothing more than an interesting piece of historical propaganda.

What transpired instead was a rare moment of complete absorption. Throughout the viewing, the audience member found themselves emotionally invested in the Russian protagonists, developing genuine antipathy toward the German invaders, and experiencing authentic distress when a protagonist’s fate appeared dire.

Most remarkably, in an era of constant digital distractions, the film commanded unwavering attention. “I didn’t check my phone a single time during the movie,” noted the viewer, contrasting this experience with typical viewing habits that include phone distractions, crafting projects, or simply falling asleep. “Nevsky was the first movie I had paid complete attention to in several years.”

This unexpected engagement prompted self-reflection on the film’s powerful appeal. First among its virtues was originality – revolutionary for its time in transforming a medieval prince into a proletarian hero, a daring creative choice in Soviet filmmaking. This fresh perspective resonated with a contemporary audience member fatigued by Hollywood’s recycled content.

According to IMDB, the film industry has produced or announced 431 “sequels, remakes, reboots, prequels, and spin-offs” in the past seven years alone. Against this backdrop of creative stagnation, an 85-year-old film offered the novelty and innovation that modern viewers increasingly crave.

“Nevsky” also succeeds through narrative clarity and purpose. While appreciating films with symbolic depth and social commentary, the viewer emphasized that entertainment value and comprehensible storytelling remain essential. Without these elements, even the most profound cinema quickly becomes tedious.

“This doesn’t mean the movie has to be simple,” the viewer clarified, citing “Fight Club” as another example of complex yet accessible filmmaking. What matters is clarity of character motivation and narrative purpose – qualities increasingly absent in contemporary releases that often leave audiences questioning the significance of individual scenes or entire plots.

By contrast, “Alexander Nevsky” maintains focus and momentum. “Every scene moves the plot forward in some way, and it has a satisfying ending,” the viewer observed. This economy of storytelling and narrative satisfaction reflects Eisenstein’s commitment to creating art for the masses rather than exclusively for critical acclaim.

The viewer acknowledged their lack of formal film studies background, suggesting their critique might seem unsophisticated to cinema scholars. However, this perspective highlights an important consideration often overlooked in discussions of cinematic merit: accessibility. “I think movies should be entertaining, not just artistic,” they argued.

This viewpoint aligns perfectly with Eisenstein’s original intent. “Nevsky was created with the proletariat in mind; it was meant to be consumed and enjoyed by the common man,” the viewer noted. By this fundamental measure of success – the ability to engage and entertain its intended audience – the film achieves excellence, earning a near-perfect personal rating of 9.5/10.

The enduring appeal of “Alexander Nevsky” serves as a reminder to contemporary filmmakers that technical innovation, visual spectacle, and marketing campaigns cannot substitute for compelling storytelling and emotional authenticity. Even when created as propaganda, film at its best transcends time, culture, and initial viewing expectations to forge a genuine connection with its audience.