Ivan's Childhood (Ivanovo detstvo) Photos

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Cast

Nikolai Burlyaev
as Ivan

Valentin Zubkov
as Capt. Kholin

Ye Zharikov
as Lt. Galtsev

S. Krylov
as Cpl. Katasonych

Nikolai Grinko
as Col. Gryaznov

D. Milyutenko
as Old Man

Valentina Malyavina
as Masha

I. Tarkovskaya
as Ivan's Mother

Andrey Konchalovskiy
as Soldier

Ivan Savkin

Vladimir Marenkov

Vera Miturich
as Girl

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Critic Reviews for Ivan's Childhood (Ivanovo detstvo)

Audience Reviews for Ivan's Childhood (Ivanovo detstvo)

• Jun 21, 2014

  Ivan's Childhood is a fine, well crafted picture that showcases the subtlety of Andrei Tarkovsky's work. The film is brilliantly crafted with a simple, yet terrific story and it shows that you can pull off something truly wonderful with using the simplest ideas and putting them to a phenomenal style of filmmaking that elevates the film to art. Beautifully done, Tarkovsky crafts another stunning drama that resonates due to its strong characters, powerful story and breathtaking direction. I've said many times before that Tarkovsky was a master of his art, and here, he crafts something that delivers an impressive hour and a half of brilliant entertaining. Here the cast deliver some thoroughly powerful performances. This is another standout picture from a director who clearly is able to push the cinematic medium into new territory that has elevated films significantly. What I loved about the film the most was the idea behind the story, and the way it unfolds. Tarkovsky yet again delivers a stunning work and it's a well crafted work that is exciting, engaging and delivers a dramatic story well worth your time. The film is shot in beautiful black and white and it adds so much to the tone, atmosphere and feel of the movie. This is a stunning piece of cinema that ranks among the finest foreign films ever made, and it is captivating from the first frame onwards. I heavily recommend this film to anyone looking for a truly outstanding piece of cinema, and it's a movie that resonates with its message, and to me it was the loss of innocence due to a tragic occurrence of the main character, and Andrei Tarkovsky captures everything through his lens and in turn creates a stunning and haunting, yet beautiful portrait.
  Alex r Super Reviewer
• May 20, 2013

  A 12-year old orphan boy works as a scout for the Russian army during WWII, journeying alone into Nazi territory to gather intel on troop positions. Beautifully shot B&W war drama with tasteful dream sequences.
  Greg S Super Reviewer
• Aug 26, 2012

  Amazing cinematography. Very interesting story. Nikolai Burlyayev, gives one of the strongest performances I've seen from a child actor.
  Hugo S Super Reviewer
• Nov 09, 2011

  From the Criterion Collection Spine Number 397, this is a excellent Russian film about a young boy who is actually a spy for the Russians against the Germans in WWII. A very capturing story. In Russian with English subtitles. The child is an excellent actor, afraid of nothing. A good Black and White Film. A treasure in this collection worth 4 1/2 stars
  Bruce B Super Reviewer

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