Burnt by the Sun
A radiant summer retreat becomes a devastating portrait of love, betrayal, and Stalinist terror closing in on a Soviet family.
Overview
A summer of bliss turns into a harbinger of doom as family ties unravel under the weight of political repression.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- lyrical
- warm
- nostalgic
- reflective evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's lyrical visual approach, Nikita and Nadezhda Mikhalkov's father-daughter chemistry, and its intertwining of domestic tenderness with Stalinist repression, while some found it overly commercial or derivative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The family's sunny village retreat is increasingly shadowed by ominous calls and Dmitry's hidden purpose.
Kotov's family life and Dmitry's return are inseparable from the repression of 1936 Soviet Russia.
The leisurely summer setting and Dmitry's charm conceal an escalating threat to Kotov and his family.
The idyllic summer light contrasts with the nocturnal telephone calls and looming state violence.
Films like Burnt by the Sun, and why
The Lives of Others
shared historical drama, authoritarian repression, intimate family perspective, and slow-building devastation
The Official Story
shared lyrical historical drama, political terror, moral betrayal, and family-centered emotional tension
Come and See
shared Russian historical setting, oppressive state violence, and a warm domestic world shadowed by political dread
The Return
shared Chekhovian family drama, personal betrayal, and lyrical tragic atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Nikita Mikhalkov
- Release Date
- 1994-05-01
- Runtime
- 135 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (210)
Cast
- Oleg Menshikov
- Nikita Mikhalkov
- Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
- Nadezhda Mikhalkova
- Vyacheslav Tikhonov
- Svetlana Kryuchkova
- Vladimir Ilin
- Alla Kazanskaya
- Nina Arkhipova
- Avangard Leontyev
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Burnt by the Sun about?
- A radiant summer retreat becomes a devastating portrait of love, betrayal, and Stalinist terror closing in on a Soviet family.
- What is Burnt by the Sun like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Burnt by the Sun as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Burnt by the Sun violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Burnt by the Sun as mild.
- What did critics think of Burnt by the Sun?
- Critics broadly praised the film's lyrical visual approach, Nikita and Nadezhda Mikhalkov's father-daughter chemistry, and its intertwining of domestic tenderness with Stalinist repression, while some found it overly commercial or derivative.
- Which films are like Burnt by the Sun?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lives of Others, The Official Story, Come and See, and The Return.
- How long is Burnt by the Sun?
- Burnt by the Sun runs 135 minutes.
- Where can I watch Burnt by the Sun?
- In United States, Burnt by the Sun is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
