Product DescriptionQuiet Flows the Don is a film of truly epic proportions, based on the Nobel prize-winning novel by Mikail Sholokov. At 5 1/2 hours long, this love story chronologically centered on the Russian Revolution is probably the most detailed account of Cossack culture that exists cinematically. Grigory Melekhov (Pyotr Glebov) is a Cossack who falls in love with a fellow soldier's wife, Askinia (Elina Bystritskaya), which causes scandal in their small village along the Don River. Askinia's husband repeatedly beats her, and when she becomes pregnant Grigory takes her away, to escape her brutal husband and Grigory's wife by arranged marriage, Nathalia (Zinaida Kiriyenko). When war hits, Grigory is drafted and leaves Askinia to care for the baby, which results in tragedy. World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution take up the bulk of the plot that details the political discrepancies between the Reds and Whites within Russian borders. Quiet Flows the Don, therefore, is as politically enlightening as it is a fascinating look at the Cossacks' rich heritage. Relentlessly slow at times, the film is indicative of the Russian affinity (in literature) for describing the human condition in excruciating detail, as a tragedy that is only sometimes relieved by love. The levels of tragedy in Quiet Flows the Don delve so deep that it is hard to watch, though one feels it worthwhile to persevere for kernels of truth nonetheless. A full DVD of extras, such as interviews with the actors and shorts about Cossack culture, make the 4-disc set feel especially complete. --Trinie Dalton - Actors: Pyotr Glebov, Elina Bystritskaya, Zinaida Kiriyenko, Daniil Ilchenko, Lyudmila Khityayeva
- Director: Sergei Gerasimov
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
- Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language (Original Language): Russian
- Language (Subtitled): English
- Release Date: 2007-03-06
- Running Time: 330 minutes
- Theatrical Release Date: 1960-01-01
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