Battle on the Ice

[Diamonddusted68]

This kind of figting is INSANE. Talk about man up!

[xX2BAMFsXx]

The must 77,911 people in my russia class

[MrToukko]

No more coffee for me after watching that.

[jhutch1463]

Hey, I thought we were here to listen to this fantastic music!!

Prokofiev scored quite a few movies. He was a prolific genius.

[RLseries]

I wish I was the dude with the awesome horns on his helmet

[Loltoll420]

Came here from lbp

[Technos72]

littlebigplanet sent me here

[HeySenthil]

Who ever pokes fun doesn't know a thing about movies. These scenes still hold goods. Such a dramatic build up. Amazing!

[bakunenanarh]

Помните советский фильм Садко?Так вот американские ребята в "Синдбате" многое свиснули из Садко.Вопрос,Кто ещё у кого плагиатил.

[Margotbear]

Amazing movie and music! who needs stupid hollywood when you have this?

[6sodom6boy6]

@rabbiattman is possible you can send me this same mp3 ? I just love this version.

[Screenman5]

Ritchie - I teach history. The reason for the "Northern Crusades" led by the Teutonic Knights of the Germanic Kingdoms was because of several factors: 1) Many in the Baltic region and eastward were still practicing paganism. 2) Russians (about 1/3 to 1/2 orthodox at the time) followed their local Bishop and not the Pope (there were no German Protestants at this time) 3) The original success of the Crusades (and later failures) inspired the northern crusades - hoping for a better result.

[ImperialGuard9001]

Why Russians would folow the Pope? They were Orthodox! Teutonics never had anny intencion at "Crusade against" Russians this battle was a skirmish at best there was no teutonic knigth present there they were a few and I mean a few from Livonian Branch of the order that was almost order by itself Livonian Sword Brothers but even them were few most of the "Germanic" "Teutonic" soldiers were baltic auxiliries. The concersion of pagan balts was the earlier intecion of Teutonic Order

[ImperialGuard9001]

Not the conversion of Orthodox Russians. Even so this movie is a masterpiece in movie history isnt historical accurate but what movie is? The purpose of the movie was to be pro Communist Anti Catholic Anti Fascist propaganda but the creator turn simple propaganda into a masterpiece that even today influences cinema

[amazed2341]

Am I the only one hearing the phantom of the opera?

[couscous781]

The Music is the best part, hats off to Prokofiev!

[CountofBleck]

LBP1 that is all

[mphello]

Thumbs up if you've ever PLAYED this cantata in an orchestra. I have!

Second violin in a community orchestra - back in 1980 or something.

That's where I first heard it. Totally awesome experience.

[amazed2341]

this is a call to war no matter what country or time this song shall call brothers to raise arms agiasnt thier opressors.

[calico992]

modern cinema can never, and will never properly convey the true terror of the battlefield. men were literally peeing their pants, turning about and retreating, freezing up like frozen statues.Did you know that during WWII a huge percentage of American GI's were unable to discharge their rifles, even when confronted with the enemy? (look it up) They had to be retrained. Propaganda and Hollywood makes these men look like war and killing are natural. They never have been, and never will be.

[vaiyt]

@calico992 One good example that supports your post: the accuracy of several types of muskets was very underestimated because a lot of the conscripts didn't feel like killing another person and missed on purpose.

[19721949ful]

Je le trouve superbe.

[JBnotthescotch]

Wow

[killjojo]

So was this like the first hockey game or something?

[nemorfinist]

it happend because of the other times but i'm not so imressed by director's work as composer's music . Prokofev was just perfect. I can't imagine better soundtrack for that battle on ice. It's better to close your eyes and make your imagination work.

btw as i know they fight livonian order (well yeah the part of teutonic order) but most these people are Lett and Estonians. However, seems that somebody doesn't like Germans for some reason

[dicthash]

@nemorfinist

letts and eesti were just slaves of their German masters

[chiara65chiara65]

thank you :)

[MrShootinputin]

3 Teutonic knights hit the dislike button.

[spidermarcus]

bolschoi

[imapaintballa]

i see what influence danny elfman.

[Anamelk]

Stupendo!!

[meninbla12]

1:32-1:56 was the best part to me.

Great song.

[amenic1894]

A Classic!

Brilliantly Directed by Sergei Eisenstein. The year was 1938.

[gonrolgonrol]

@amenic1894 Hi. Do you know the title of the movie?

[ysbaddaden2003]

Wait, was that Snoopy skating in the background?

[MuseDuCafe]

A favorite ~ its just wonderful you've posted the milestone film score with the movie it was meant to accompany. Great Stuff! Thanks..

[wowelite2]

Like if u watched this cus of LBP <3

[Lightingwarrior]

The film was mainly propaganda to get the people fired up to battle the Germans and was finished only a few months before Stalin entered into the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, which provided for non-aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union. But that changed in 1941 after the German invaded the Soviet Union, after which the film was rapidly returned to Soviet and western screens to get people fired up again to fight the Germans and believe that they were the good guys and that they can win.

[maximatort]

@Lightingwarrior

Wow, you've open my eyes !!!

I didn't know that.

And any western movie is pure truth and have no propaganda at all.

Any western movie is real facts !!!

Any other and Russian and Chinees and soon - a total lie))))

Thnx man !!!!

[Lightingwarrior]

Also the film portrays Alexander as a folk hero and shows him bypassing a fight with the Mongols, his old enemies, in order to face the more dangerous enemy.

The film is obliviously anti-clerical and anti-Catholic. which is highlighted by the fact that the knights' bishop's miter is adorned by swastikas.

[Lightingwarrior]

Alexander Nevsky was made during the Stalinist era, when the Soviet Union was at odds with Nazi Germany. The film contains obvious allegory that reflect the political situation between the two countries at the time it was produced. Hence it was all propaganda the helmets worn by the Teutonic soldiers resemble exaggerated versions of German soldier helmets from the 20th century, emphasizing grasping eagle talons or animal horns and covering the entire face except for a narrow slit for eyes.

[deusirae76]

@Lightingwarrior The Soviet Union wasn't exactly at odds with Germany, they were officially allied due to the Molotov/Ribbentrop pact and continued to supply Germany with gasoline and food until June 22th 1941. But Stalin hoped a long and and destructive war between the Western allies (UK and France) and Germany so he could invade them easily. He was wrong ...

[Lightingwarrior]

@deusirae76 This film was made before Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, when Russia and Germany were still at odds at one another, as he hoped to use the film to rally his people up. But the film was only finished a few months before Stalin entered into the Pact with Germany. The film was therefore pulled from distribution within a few weeks of its opening as it wasn't needed. But when Germany invaded in 1941 the film was rapidly re-realised so to rally the people up against Germany's invasion.

[questatmayne]

They were really crusaders. they believed that they are fighting against pagans and Orthodox. They called them infidels.

[Bash316]

It's easy to poke fun at a movie like this, since most of the battle scenes are just enemies waving swords at each other but back then, this was exciting stuff. No one had ever seen such a huge battle scene before, let alone with so many extras. ALEXANDER NEVSKY is the father of many epic battle scenes in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, BRAVEHEART, SEVEN SAMURAI, SPARTACUS, RAN, LORD OF THE RINGS and EL CID.

[sergeontheloose]

@Bash316

Most significantly - "War and Peace" - 20 000 soldiers extras from Belarus and Moscow military districts.

And not that shit "LOTR" which was all CGI effects, there were not that many extras involved.

[lindavid1975]

What are the Teutonic nights chanting? It sounds latin.

[gamesbok]

By this time Nevsky was already a vassle of the Great Khan. Silly Germans didn't know it, but they had taken on the Golden Hoard.

[Screenman5]

In the beginning of the film they show those living under Nevsky deeply resenting the "Tarters" (Mongols) They also suggest that Mongol control during this time is weakening. Plus, you do not see a single Asian face fighting during the whole movie. The Germans did not take on the Golden Hoard as you say. Although it sounds good the way you phrase it ;) lol

[gamesbok]

@Screenman5 I was talking about history, rather than the film. There is an interesting story about how Novgrod figured it would preserve more of it's traditional freedoms under Mongul rather than Catholic rule. Nevsky's victory was due to his massive wings of horse archers, the Golden Hoard. It was Sartaq Khan made him Prince of Vladimir 10 years after this battle, although he had been elected Prince of Novgrod (he was the 4th son of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich) ,

[ImperialGuard9001]

@gamesbok Teutonic were never intereste in ruling Novgord or anny Catholic Power for that matter

[gorthaur2]

I love this song because was used in the trailer of conan the barbarian!...is so epic !

[HaligonianType1]

The helmets of the two main Teutonic knights, after the Grand Master, are copied in Conan. Thulsa Doom's two men, Rexor and Thorgrim wear them. Also the song in Conan the Barbarian when Thulsa Doom, Rexor and Thorgrim plunder Conan's home village is a remake of the song "Battle on Ice" from this movie. BTW, the ice battle was shot during a terrible heat wave--the snow is powdered alabaster, and that is well made fake ice.

[pianoman22222222]

Did anyone hear the theme from Phantom of the Opera. It occurs several times? Looks like Andrew Webber (composer of music from Phantom) was a fan of Pokofiev. :D I'm sure Prokofiev would be honored that Webber kept one of his many awesome musical ideas alive in the modern theatre scene.

[Dale747474]

Sounds like Jaws

[celebration81]

it was a little battle of little powers. It was fought by 5000 men strong armies. The strongest countries were Poland and Hungary in medieval era. Poland was capable of pruducing 50 , Hungary was able to produce 80,000 men strong armies in the major battles.

[temlord]

Now Russians have the nucs and kalash, no more chanse

[roktopus]

niiiice sound quality!

[polar24]

For fans of this, I recommend the (faster) hair-raising account by Abbado and the London SO on DG (Deutsche Grammophon).

It also comes with a spell-binding Scythian Suite - another spiky dissonant piece which Prokofiev fans will enjoy.

[ahbahpuh]

@polar24 thank you for a tip, I enjoyed that record

[polar24]

@bluecobalt27:

'anticipates' is the wrong word; more like film composers borrowed (stole) from Prokofiev.

Both John Williams and James Horner are notoriously guilty of this crime.

[bluecobalt27]

The amazing thing is how this music anticipates so much of late 20th Century film music. For instance compare the opening of this piece with the theme from Stargate, or the battle sequence with the battle sequence from Conan the Barbarian. You can even hear hints of Williams and Goldsmith.

It's a pretty good gig, getting Prokofiev to score the music for your film!

[jmham1]

Sounds a lot like "Phantom of the Opera" doesn't it?

[edvarddefinelicht]

Exactly my thought

[ahbahpuh]

@jmham1 hm

The truth is "Phantom of the Opera" sounds like this great piece.

[recpeace3]

@ahbahpuh

Thank you I couldn't remember where I heard this..you are so right

[vivascargill]

Great movie Great Music!

[sergeyK100]

Этот фильм - шедевре мирового кинематографа. Защита своей Родины от грозного врага, что может более всего объединить любой народ?

[questatmayne]

@sergeyK100 Нечто подобное, на деле.

[sergeyK100]

Сплочение русского народа во время Смуты в 17 веке от польского нашествия. Борьба против нашествия Наполеона в 1812. Борьба нашествием Гитлеровской Европы в 1941-1945. Мало?

[questatmayne]

Да, она может быть ни мира, где угодно, но не в Корее готовится к ядерной войне, мы вынуждены бороться с американским послом жажду нефти. серьезный никто не может жить в мире?

[TheDinikin]

@questatmayne думаю, что пока "цивилизованным" миром правят "они" i mean kikes - никакого мира в мире не будет - панки хой!

[questatmayne]

Вы панк? я тоже! : D

[questatmayne]

Наполеон не было больше врагов, Пруссия и немцев слишком много веры в hiteril были заболевания, что он поехал неправильные решения сделать

[questatmayne]

we were conquerd by the templars but the dens and sweeds cleand them of our lands

[AdamNeira]

This piece of music is absolutely wonderful.

[andyfortruth]

david golliath allegory anyone??

[Svartalfgeist]

I find the comparison with david and golliath;a christian tale;ironic.

This movie depicts the evil of the Teutonic order,an prime example of the horror that christianity has brought in earlier times.

[deusirae76]

@Svartalfgeist Jewish tale, not Christian tale.

[yadsik]

Stanley Kubrick considered Eisenstein's work 'the triumph of cinematic style over heavy handed, often simple-minded content.' This was Kubricks favourite Eisenstein work, but whether the above quote is in favour of him, or against him, I cannot tell.

[orbit991]

Powerful and compelling score, one of the best if not best battle score.

[RitchieBrinckmore]

Those Teutonic knights are probably the most evil villains ever to be portrayed on screen. The Nazgûl from "The Lord of the Rings" are like Ned Flanders compared to these horrible Germans. The scene where they burn Rus children alive is just... well... terrifying.

[peterkvideo]

You're right!!! I'm 100% agree with you! Nice historic movie!!!

[signorellil]

@RitchieBrinckmore

Very, very true. When they start singing, you simply feel all hope is - almost - lost

[signorellil]

@RitchieBrinckmore

Precisely

[chrisburchardt]

@RitchieBrinckmore What a breathtakingly thick piece of shite you are! Please do not procreate!!!

[ImperialGuard9001]

@RitchieBrinckmore HAHHA I find funny because is so propaganda XD I mean who hell would burn babies into pitfires? But hey the Proletarian Novgord Rus People aka Good Guys must won against those Catholic bastars in end I guess.

[AaronMk91]

@ImperialGuard9001 Considering one account of the actions of Teutonic raiders is... "Slipping into four villages not warned of their coming, putting anyone beginning their night's rest to the sword..." I wouldn't find that surprising.

[ImperialGuard9001]

@AaronMk91 But trowing babies into pits?! HAHA The movie is propaganda so clearly the idea is making Teutonics look bad while the "proletarian" united Russian People is good

[dchris1990]

@ImperialGuard9001 such atrocities happened. By 'blessing' the children right before death, they went to heaven as Catholics, not heretics/infidels. In the medieval mindset, that more than made up for the crime of slaughtering them

[olddino2005]

@ImperialGuard9001 Nazis were throwing babies into fire. And this is a fact no propaganda.

[ImperialGuard9001]

@olddino2005 Yes Nazis did that becasue they direcly descend from Satanic Sauron Worship Teutonics that use their darkpowers to sumom beats and demons to unleaseh Lucifer to this world they had destroy Communist Russia lead by Saint Alexander did I get it all correct?

[Aterkomsten]

@ImperialGuard9001

don't insult proud orthodox warrior Alexander Nevsky. understand dirty portugese arab-moorish sandnigger  !?

[ImperialGuard9001]

@Aterkomsten Who the fuck insult Nevsky? I just make fun of propaganda not of the historical character moron.

[dimitboris]

@ImperialGuard9001 hey dont call him moron you idiot

[Okzcarian]

@olddino2005 Confirmed but jewish commies were far more brutal butchers

greetngs from Poland

[johnnydarkly]

@RitchieBrinckmore Well put, my friend!

[deusirae76]

@RitchieBrinckmore The whole movie was made to prepare the Soviet Union for such atrocities, which finally happened ... But I think the nazis from "Schindler's List" are more evil.

[Sturmvogel0840]

@RitchieBrinckmore

Served Stalin's purposes very well. Good movie despite its progapanda use. And the music is amazing.

[xNymphetamynexGurlx]

@RitchieBrinckmore I appreciate this comment as well as all of the references (and correct spelling). This is a very nice comment, and so I liked it. :D

[11ari11]

@RitchieBrinckmore well germans always be the ones burning shit. haha

[Noobbynoob]

@11ari11 Even all germans in the world cannot burn out all that shit wich filling skulls of most americans instead of brains.

[theskeptic2010]

@RitchieBrinckmore Yeah, a shame that it's probably not true or historically accurate. This movie is basically anti-German Soviet propaganda and was one of Stalin's favorite films. The Teutonic Knights were actually the "good guys" in real life. They brought civilization to areas that before had practiced barbarism and things like human sacrifice etc

[almanacofsleep]

@theskeptic2010 The Teutonic Knights were the "good guys"? What reductive thinking!

[ImperialGuard9001]

Teutonic Knigths were neither good or bad same thing with Russians there no such thing as Evil or Good in human warfare history. But of course is this cinema masterpiece they are bad..

[alexiaNBC]

@ImperialGuard9001 What this film neglects is that despite the strong Nazi symbolism associated with the Teutonic Knights in this film, the remnants of Knights (who remained intact during the 1930s), strongly condemned the Nazi regime particularly during the annexation of Austria due to the Reich's fierce anti-Catholic program. Although the Nazis still used their imagery in their propaganda, the Knights were suppressed from speaking out against their German Occupiers

[ImperialGuard9001]

@alexiaNBC It depends Third Reich is heavly based on Prussia. Prussia was the sucessor state of Teutonic Knigths when its Grandmaster converted and became a vassal state of Poland-Lithunia. So big part of HQ and Knigths were in Prussia if not the majory is that legacy that Third Reich directly receives what survive of the Order in Catholic World is complete different thing. Third Reich was not anti catholic since big part of its ideology and people were catholics such as Goebbls or Hitler.

[alexiaNBC]

@ImperialGuard9001 You're forgetting the fact that Prussia changed dramatically after the Protestant reformation. It was no longer embracing catholic doctrine and had forced much of the Order and the Catholic population to immigrate further south in favor of the protestant church. Also just because its ideology and leaders had catholic upbringing, did not mean they had strong catholic support as the Papacy strongly condemned their eugenics programs and racial supremacy.

[epearl8]

I knew this movie was made mostly for propaganda but it's just so awesome

[victorFbaradit]

probably one of the gratest music scores ever creates by one of the greatest russian musician. and the film..... i have no words left... only the mere truth that its among the grates of ALL TIMES

[hermanzoon]

It's not a song. Not a song at all.

[yohannbiimu]

Woody Allen also used this piece in his film "Love and Death." He used Prokofiev's music (a wide assortment of it) throughout the film.

[radioblueheart]

This song was also used in the film "Combat Shock."

[flugel76]

the littlebigplanet version is WAY too fast.

[sinza93380]

song in littlebigplanet