It is surely a 'masterpiece'. A precious pearl in comparison to today's violence and imaginary(science fiction) films. A treat to watch it. Fortunate enough to watch it on television. Brought tears to my eyes. Cussack hardships in those days are heart-wrenching.Hats off to the producer and director and actors and all those who were part of this great film. A great screenplay, acting, the outdoor locations and photography make it a great film. Certainly it could have won more awards. It will now be part of my collection. Surely will grab a DVD of it if I get my hands on it....................... ....................... ......................... ............................. .................................. ................................ .................................. ....................................

The film follows the fortunes and life of Grigory (Everett), his loves and his family and village by the Don during the period 1914 - early 1920s, bringing out the tragic history of the Don Cossaks, riven by WW1, the Russian Revolution and the Civil War. Grigory, the youngest son, is conscripted for WW1, sympathises with the Soviet revolution, but in the confusion of the Civil War finds himself on the side of the Whites as the Cossaks are divided. This version (the third filmed) features Ruppert Everett, Ben Gazzara and Murray Abrahams, as well as Russian actors. It is 7 hours long, and was shown in 7 episodes on Russian television. It probably does not do the book (often compared with War and Peace) justice and seems to have been cut down with events sometimes seeming a little disjointed, but it does give a flavour of what to expect from reading the book. Despite it's international cast it did not get the international release it deserved. It is available in Russian language on video, in Russia, which is where I got my copy.

Quiet flows the Don, based on the Nobel Price winning novel of Michail Sholokov and directed by the Oscar Price Serghey Bondarchuk, starring Rupert Everett, Delphine Forest and Murray Abraham, is a film in two parts of about 90' each, realized in Dolby Digital Surround, ready for Cinema Premiere, Home Video - DVD, Network TV, Syndication, Internet...And still nobody had the pleasure to see it. This unforgettable masterpiece, one of the rare epic Opera of European production directed to the world market, is due to the synergy and passionate work of four Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards and a David Award. The Premiere of the film, to which will participate outstanding figures of politic and entertainment world, will be shown at the same time in the city of London, Moscow and Rome. So please give voice to your comments only after screen the International version of this Great Evergreen and not the TV mix for Russian audience.

This version had been locked in an Italian bank's vaults for quite a time but now has been showing to the Russian audience... to its great dismay. Myself and most of the people who have watched the first 3 episodes are not really keen, to put it mildly. The main problem is that it was made expressly for the Western audience in the 1990 and carries mainly a love line (quite schmaltzy at that) and little emotional impact. Great book, a talented director (once upon a time), awful script, lots of factual mistakes, abysmal casting (I LOVE Rupert Everett, but he's really not made for that part). This could be a mini-series of the decade. Instead it turned out to be yet another sub-par Russian-themed drivel. Read the book or turn to Gerassimov's 1957 sublime version - you will not be disappointed. Don't waste your time on this one.