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Review

A ruthlessly efficient, thinking person's action film that sometimes goes over the top but has a great time going there. It's the story of two sets of brothers (Cossacks and Gypsies) in the early 1800s who cross paths in bloody conflict and, like Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, tells the tale from both sides, eliciting empathy for each. How it all happens in under 90 minutes is a wonder to behold.

The first part of the story (titled "Us") is from the Cossacks' perspective. The identification as "Us" makes sense as these brothers are ostensibly the civilized ones, but the original title of the movie (Voleurs de Chevaux aka Horse Thieves) suggests that the true protagonists are on the other side. In any case, the two brothers Jakub and Vladi decide to sign up with the vicious Cossacks as they're sick of being hungry, and at least get a square meal from the marauders. But their initiation is brutal, as are their battles with the "enemy," resulting in a tragic loss.

A mere half hour into the proceedings, perspective shifts to "Them," Gypsy brothers Roman and Elias, who live by stealing horses and hiding underground. Parallels are drawn between the sets of brothers, with the youngest learning trades from the elders, the elders protecting the young, and much topless frolicking in the river. Events eventually coincide, leading to the climax ("The Chase"), where exposition is cast aside, the convoluted chronology is cleared up, and several tense set pieces follow in rapid succession. There's no shying away from the brutality of battle, nor the many complications (mostly negative) of war and vengeance. It even ends with a glimmer of hope for the brotherhood of man.

 -- David Gorgos