The White Sun of the Desert
The White Sun of the Desert
| 14 December 1969 (USA)
The White Sun of the Desert Trailers

The setting is the east shore of the Caspian Sea (today's Turkmenistan) where the Red Army soldier Fyodor Sukhov has been fighting the Civil War in Russian Asia for a number of years. After being hospitalised and then demobbed, he sets off home to join his wife, only to be caught up in a desert fight between a Red Army cavalry unit and Basmachi guerrillas. The cavalry unit commander, Rahimov, "convinces" Sukhov to help, temporarily, with the protection of abandoned women of the Basmachi guerrilla leader Abdullah's harem. Leaving a young Red Army soldier, Petrukha, to assist Sukhov with the task, Rahimov and his cavalry unit set out to pursue fleeing Abdullah.Sukhov and women from Abdullah's harem return to a nearby shore town. Soon, looking for a seaway across the border, Abdullah and his gang come to the same town...

Reviews
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Marva-nova Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.
Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.
Andrei Pavlov Quite possibly it is the only instance when I give a movie the highest mark, though I do not enjoy it much.It is a cult Soviet movie. To give out the plot is not needed - read it in the "main details" section. As to its quality - it is definitely up there in the starry sky. The way this movie runs is very easy and charming. The conversations, the action, the violence, the songs, the settings are ironic. This action movie is absolutely different from a usual modern action film we are used to. It floats like a white cloud against the deep blue sky. Shootings and fisticuffs are never the main and most important "dish". The greatest thing is the subtle and elusive but genuinely Russian atmosphere that is present in every scene. The ways of doing things in this film are definitely of our highest Russian quality. The way of Sukhov's dreaming, talking, and smiling, the way of Petrukha's and Vereschagin's dying, the way of Wife's crying.The whole movie points out that we don't need a big macho with muscles to fight evil. The hero can be just humane and romantic, that's enough. Sometimes the evil forces cannot cope with that.In our cinema this gem occupies the same place as "High Noon" (I guess) in the American one. You cannot come even close nowadays.And watch out for a funny spoof of this movie that goes back to the year 1983 with the same leading actor as Sukhov! You want to know the title? Shame on you, you should know that. It is also one of our classics.10 out of 10. Thank you for attention.
hannu22 I like this movie very much. It is even useful, I can keep my Russian on good level by watching it from time to time, it is really possible to watch it over and over again. DVD with subtitles is great with extras including the story of the film by the director, which I found very interesting. You can learn some 'classical' aphorisms from this movies. Like the one Vershagin says 'I feel sorry for the superpower..' really actual after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Letters from Sukhov to his wife are also pearls of this film. The scale of Sukhov is also amazing, from a warrior to lyrical romantics through a good fellow with vodka.
glasses Being completely agree with all other comments, I can add a simple explanation what a cult movie it is. Every time when a manned spaceship is launched in Russia, it's team watches Beloye Solntse Pustyni right before takeoff. It's a tradition they never forgive. Even Dennis Tito had to watch it, together with other crew members, yet he probably had no translation or subtitles.
Alex. L. Yevelev If you are remembering the significance of GWTW ("Gone with the Wind") for American culture, you may believe me: The significance of BSP for Russian culture is something like that. The song from BSP (lyrics by Bulat Okudzhava, music by Isaac Schwarz) became the best favorite song in Russia.In 1995 BSP was voted and proclaimed the best favorite Russian movie.