Surprisingly incoherent and boring

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

in the circle of period, it represents an impressive example of courage. for the Easter sensitivity is a wonderful experience. because it is a story of faith. because the use of Bizantine icons and medieval miniatures represents the basic virtue of a short animation who remains memorable especially for the walk of Mother of God and the respect of saints or for the resurrection of the every day life after the terrible battle.the music of Rimsky-Korsakov and the genius of Iuri Nornstein. this is the basis of this special masterpiece. an eulogy to old time and courage, history and faith. sure, one of the films not for everyone. but, in my case, the emotion was to high level. this is all. an impressive piece from a great contemporary animation director.

"Secha pri Kerzhentse" or "The Battle of Kerzhenets" is a 10-minute short film from 1971, so this one has its 45th anniversary this year. If you read the names Ivan Ivanov-Vano and Yuriy Norshteyn, you know that this is a Soviet animated movie. It is really not too long, but has more historic significance than many other animated films as it is about a certain battle. I personally must say the animation was decent for 1971, though not great, but this is already the only positive thing I can really say. I feel complete unattached to this project, which is partially subjective as I don#t care about military movies in general a whole lot, but also somewhat objective as the filmmaking duo did not manage to get me interested. I guess you need to have a certain connection to the battle or the region in order to appreciate this little movies. I myself did not and that's why I give it a thumbs-down. Not recommended.

The Battle of Kerzhenets is wonderfully done and remarkable in how much power and emotional resonance it has for a ten minute short. In a way it is true that some knowledge of Russian history will help in getting the grasp of the story The Battle of Kerzhenets is telling. But at the same time it isn't hugely vital because there is so much to make you admire The Battle of Kerzhenets regardless of that, if you want a personal opinion some research would prove very useful even if it's the basic gist. The animation is really striking, the somewhat expressionistic style gives a haunting edge, everything moves with great fluidity, the attention to detail is fantastic and the stoic character designs and their facial expressions fit very well within the style. The music, in unmistakably Rimsky Korsakov fashion, is stirring, tense and affecting in equal measure, merging beautifully with the animation. The story is interesting, told without dialogue and entirely through images, with a powerful climatic battle and a good deal of emotional resonance, whether you know anything about the event or not. In conclusion, remarkable animated short film, a must see in my opinion. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A spellbinding animated short. The background is utterly expressionistic, appearing like volcanic rock. In the foreground, the figures stay still for enough moments to appear to be part of different style of animation, where we are seeing a a photo. Then the figures move as if life was just breathed into them. As a whole it is a bravura display of animation mastery. Innovatory technique need not be in only abstract work. The animation can be delirious and stunning, like here, or in the real-life action of a Powell/Pressburger movie. Various types of animation are used to augment the main style. More than augment, they amaze as each new surprise lives up to the last. The culmination of the lead-up is sightly disappointing at first, as it's an event that so many have pulled thrills and adrenalin rushes from before these filmmakers. The downers lasts a few moments only as the animation clicks back into top gear. It reminds of 'Une nuit sur le Mont Chauve' in how both stirring and magical it is.