Córka generala Pankratowa: A Blast from the Past

Should you watch Córka generala Pankratowa? If you have a soft spot for black-and-white melodrama and don't mind a story that feels like it’s constantly tripping over its own feet, then sure. If you’re looking for a tight, modern narrative, you’re going to be frustrated within the first fifteen minutes.

The whole thing feels oddly dusty, even for its age. There’s a scene early on where someone is delivering news, and the camera just sits there, staring at a wall for what feels like a week. It’s not poetic; it’s just awkward. But honestly, I kind of loved that.

The pacing is all over the place. You’ll have a moment of high-stakes political intrigue followed by a scene that feels like it was lifted from Jane's Honeymoon, just light and wandering. It doesn't quite know if it wants to be a serious history lesson or a soap opera.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Córka generala Pankratowa (1934) through its definitive frames.

The performances? Well, they’re very theatrical. Everyone is emoting at about an eleven when a four would have sufficed. There’s a specific look the lead gives when she finds out the truth that is just pure, unadulterated silent-era drama. It made me laugh, but I’m not sure that was the point.

I found myself comparing it to Erik XIV in terms of that specific historical weight, but this one lacks the sharp edges. It’s softer. Maybe too soft. The set designs have that charming 'painted cardboard' quality that you just don't see anymore. I spent way too much time looking at the background props instead of the actual characters.

Did it move me? Not really. But it kept me awake. There’s a certain rhythm to these older films that modern stuff just doesn't have. It’s like listening to an old record with a scratch on it. You know it’s not perfect, but you appreciate the warmth.

A few random thoughts:

• The lighting in the ballroom scene is surprisingly moody. Someone clearly cared about the shadows.
• I’m still not convinced the general needed to be in that scene.
• The costumes look heavy. Like, physically painful to wear.
• There's a lingering shot of a door closing that is probably the best part of the entire movie.

It’s not going to change your life. It won't even change your weekend. But if you’re bored and want to see how they used to do things before movies were all CGI and noise, you could do worse. 🎞️