Kursk, written by Robert Rodat and directed by Thomas Vinterberg - Seven out of 10

Kursk, written by Robert Rodat and directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Seven out of 10

There is much to celebrate in a drama that tells the story of the submarine disaster that took place in 2000 and in which the Russian leadership showed its ugly, mean, inhuman face.

Instead of reading this note, I would suggest that you access Variety and look at the excellent review posted there, albeit it would make you avoid the film, given that it is quite critical of it.

The saga of the submarine made the headlines around the world and the callousness, cruelty of those who lead Russia became once again evident for those who have eyes and a minimal understanding of events.

The eternal leftist, guerilla fighters, people like Corbyn, Maduro, Trump would agree with anything Putin says and does, including sentencing sailors to die because they are inept and refuse aid from the West.

The director is the incredible Thomas Vinterberg, famous for the astonishing Festen and the acclaimed Jagten, but the critic from Variety is right to point out the shortcomings of this mega production.

The cast could not include more iconic figures:

Max von Sydow – if only for his presence in the masterpieces signed by Ingmar Bergman and he has a place in the history of cinema, along with some other major gods – has the role of a vile character – Vladimir Petrenko.

As one of the leaders of the Russian Navy, he boasts and manifest a criminal arrogance after the calamity is produced, refusing to accept the international offers of help

It must be noted though that in spite of the fact that this is surely a villain and the orphans are right in refusing to shake his hand when the funeral and religious service is organized, he is one of the less relevant ones.

The Absolute Monster is missing from this picture, alas!

Vladimir Putin was the ultimate commander in chief and the one who would not agree to a loss of face, the saving of his subjects with foreign vessels, an intervention that would highlight the precarious, disastrous state of equipment, the economy, vessels, technology – everything in other words – and would mean a humiliating PR stunt.

Let the sailors die, rather than admit to the truth – in the meantime, fueled by revenues form gas, oil and other natural resources, the Russian army has seen its budget increase and important sums of money have been spent for better equipment, although that economy is still smaller than Italy’s and much of the noise made is just an effort to punch above its weight.

In short, an accident takes place on board the submarine Kursk and the officials use their usual propaganda and lies to pretend that it was in fact a collision with a foreign vessel and not the decrepitude of that – others were in the same condition – warship which caused the catastrophe.

They try to use the only resource they have for such an emergency, but it does not do the job and the British and others offer immediate support – Colin firth is majestic as Commodore David Russell.

Peter Simonischek is another fabulous, sensational, phenomenal actor who has mesmerized, ravished audiences with the recent, resplendent, one of the best films ever made – Toni Erdman.

He has the role of Admiral Vyacheslav Grudzinky, who is in command of the fleet and the submarine and when the disaster strikes, he is engaged in the effort to save his men.

When all that the Russian fleet has becomes useless – which it looks like it was to begin with – he talks with Commodore Russell – the two had met each other before the calamity.

Tragically, his acceptance of the British support is not tolerated by his superiors who demote him, stall the British when the loathsome Petrenko leads the talks and they are concerned with their image and the idea that adversaries would steal secrets from their ancient vessel.

The attitude of the Russians - Putin in fact, for he is the Supreme Leader, the Tyrant who gives the orders - is consistent, they have no qualms about using polonium on one of their own – the late Litvinenko – or novichok, as in the recent Salisbury attack, invade the Ukraine, meddle in elections in America – albeit their puppet there, The stupid Donald denies it, for he believes the dictator and not his own agencies – and elsewhere.

What are a few sailors in this equation, where the Great Vladimir and his acolytes are concerned with the Glory of Mother Russia?

Not much indeed!

There is no spoiler alert, for the end of this saga is known and it does detract from the pleasure of trying to find what happens, although the details of the loathsome, barbaric stand of those who should stand by their service men – there were no women and there are none on their submarines, we can be sure of that, even if it might be a state secret – and instead sentence them to die with monstrous viciousness.