Movie Discussion: Tarkovsky’s Andrei Rublev (1966)

Transfixing and transcendent, the second feature by Andrei Tarkovsky traces the life of a renowned painter, vividly conjuring the murky world of 15th-century Russia. This dreamlike and remarkably tactile film follows Andrei Rublev as he passes through a series of poetically linked scenes, gradually emerging as a man struggling to hold on to his faith in God and art in a world of overwhelming cruelty, suffering, and barbarism. Initially banned by Soviet authorities for a host of reasons (political ambiguity, formalism, ​“historical inaccuracy”, religion, and its depiction of the artist’s plight under a repressive regime), Andrei Rublev is one of Tarkovsky’s most revered films, an arresting meditation on faith, creativity, and spiritual endurance.

"A film of spiritual power and epic grandeur… It may be Tarkovsky’s greatest work.” (The Observer)

"One of the most convincing portrayals in art of an artist." (The Guardian)

"A hymn to creative freedom... and to courage and risk-taking as two of the fundamental characteristics anyone who intends to transform the world must have.” (Sight and Sound)

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Let's discuss the movie Andrei Rublev (1966) directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, recently voted the 26th greatest movie of all time in Sight & Sound's international survey of filmmakers, and the 67th greatest movie of all time in the related poll of film critics and scholars. Initially banned by Soviet authorities, the film was allowed to screen at the 1969 Cannes festival where it won the International Critics Prize. We've previously discussed Tarkovsky's Solaris (1972), Stalker (1979), Nostalghia (1983), and Ivan's Childhood (1962) in this group.

Please watch the movie in advance and bring your thoughts, reactions, and queries to share with us at the meeting.

There are many versions of this movie floating around out there. I suggest we all watch the original uncensored 183 minute version of the movie as Tarkovsky intended it, which is available through Criterion. You can stream it here with English subtitles (let us know if you encounter any issues with this link) or rent it through various online platforms.

A trailer.

Check out other movie discussions in the group every Friday and occasionally other days.