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Prisoner of the Mountains

Name: Prisoner of the Mountains
Genre: Drama, War
Released: 1996-03-15
Cast: Oleg Menshikov, Sergei Bodrov Jr., Jemal Sikharulidze, Susanna Mekhraliyeva, Aleksandr Bureyev

1996 | 99 min | Drama, War

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite almost no lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: A natural pick for anyone who loves a story about hope against the odds and history and war-film fans. The walls close in, and so does the tension. If you loved Casualties of War or The Ascent, start here. It puts you in the middle of the fighting, and doesn't let you forget the cost.
The mood: Intense.
The pace: Character-first and patient, at 1 hr 39 min.
What might put you off: It's in Russian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

Two Russian soldiers, one battle-seasoned and the other barely into his boots and uniform, are taken prisoner by an anxious Islamic father from a remote village hoping to trade them for his captured son.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$890K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 13K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Sergei Bodrov

Oleg MenshikovSacha Kostylin
Sergei Bodrov Jr.Ivan (Vanya) Zhilin
Jemal SikharulidzeAbdul-Murat
Susanna MekhraliyevaDina
Aleksandr BureyevHasan
Valentina FedotovaZhilin's Mother
Aleksei ZharkovMaslov, the Russian Commander
Pavel Lebeshev
Valery Kostrin