MovieChat Forums > The Russia House (1990) Discussion > Scenes of Russia

Scenes of Russia

posted 20 years ago by housejk
7 replies | jump to latest

I admit that I am biased, but besides the perfect dialouge for this perfect movie (which we have discussed on the other threads) is anyone as captivated by the scenes of Soviet Moscow and Leningrad like I am? Having been to both cities prior and after the fall of the Soviet Union I can tell you that I have long been thrilled to see the sights shown in this great movie. If any of you out there have been so fortunate as I have to walk onto Red Square for the first time (although hell, it was as thrilling the 10th time I did so!), particularly with the Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack playing in your headphones the whole time (without a doubt the best soundtrack ever) it is a thrill every time I see this movie. From the opening shot of Katya, to the churches at Sergiev Posad with the beautiful blue domes, to the old church on the river at Kolomenskoe when Barley sees the cars change colors, to the exhibit at the Soviet Park of Economic Achievement (for the book fair when Barley returns to Moscow) to the beautiful shots of Leningrad (Petersburg) at the Senate Square, the Hermitage and the River Neva, this movie never stops moving me. I can tell you that if you ever get the chance to travel Moscow, please do it. I make it a point of traveling to every one of the sites in the movie, and I largely obtained my goal. I even made it up into the dining area of the Hotel National just across from Red Square that Barley and Katya talk at extensively for the first time. What a thrill! Without a doubt, besides having some of the best dialouge and best music of any movie ever, The Russia House's scenery of Soviet era Moscow and St. Petersburg is perhaps the most beautiful and moving scenery in any movie ever. But then again, I am biased... I would appreciate any comments. PLEASE go to this link and just click around no matter the language and you will see many of the sites from the movie. As for my photos from the movie scenes, I will soon be putting them online. Here is the linl: http://summoning.ru/photos_eng/kemerovo.shtml

[–] Hesper79 20 years ago

I agree completely -- the location photography in this film is truly compelling, ranging from the breathtaking vistas of the countryside around the location of one of Barley and Katya's meetings (Kolomenskoe, I think you said), to colorful background shots of impressive monuments, squares and churches. And then we get the wonderful street scenes that let us peek into the lives of ordinary people going about their everyday business. You see what kinds of cars there are, how the traffic and pace of life compares with Western cities, what the shops are like, what people are wearing. It's fascinating.

I understand that this was the first movie filmed at Russian locations since the Iron Curtain fell, and director Fred Schepisi and cinematographer Ian Baker certainly made the most of the opportunity. It's beautifully filmed. And the soundtrack is equally gorgeous. A reviewer at Filmtracks said if he could take only one score with him to a desert island, this would be it, and I understand the choice. This is some of Jerry Goldsmith's most evocative music ever I think (and I always love his work), and the jazz tracks (Branford Marsalis) are truly wonderful.

Anyway, thanks so much for identifying the locations! You're lucky to have had the experience of being there. And that's an interesting link -- makes me wish I could read Russian (but the photos are lovely).

[–] housejk 20 years ago

Hesper 79,

Thanks for the kind response. By the way, it is nice to know that it is not only people who are biased by having been there that love this movie. I thought it was a high-quality, well-written and filmed story, and it is nice to know that there are a few people out there who like movies that actually have great dialouge. I can tell you that here in the United States (I do not know where you are from) there is usually one or two "art-house" movie theaters in every big city where you can actually catch these types of films. It drives my insane however, that everytime a filmmaker (yes, a film-maker, not some hollywood big-time director)tries to make a big budget, great dialouge movie, and it inevitably does great worldwide box office, but not-so-great U.S. receipts. For example, Peter Weir sticks to his gun (pardon the pun) in last year's great Master and Commander and follows Patrick O'Brian's imaginings of life at sea to perfection, complete with the best dialouge of any big-action movie you will ever see, and the U.S. audiences simply yawn. I am afraid it takes Vin Diesel, etc., to get this country revved. Anyway, The Russia House is great film- making and Tom Stoppard could write almost anything. I love this movie and thanks for the comments, my friend.

[–] garbage-39 18 years ago

Do you know what city/view Barley is looking at closer to the beginning when they are on a terrrace with the British Intelligence?

I would make a trip just to visit this view...

[–] stw789987 16 years ago

The embassy scenes are in Lisbon, probably from the Barrio Alto district, looking toward Afama district at the Cathedral (the grey double tower castellated) and the Castelo s. Jorge in view too. The Lisbon views in the film are all in the city center and you can't miss them if you visit.

[–] angelofvic 17 years ago

I agree this movie made me long to visit Russia ...

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[–] SlowRain 17 years ago

Yes, beautiful photography.

The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet

[–] MrLocation 17 years ago

I liked the locations so much that I went there this Christmas from England.
See my photos online at
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrlocation
Look under "Russia House (1990 film)".