Overview
A father's relentless journey through war leads him to unexpected battles and poignant moments of humanity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- sincere
- melancholic
- tender
- historical film night
- reflective viewing
What critics said
The film is broadly recognized as a deeply moving, humanist war drama anchored by Sergo Zakariadze's performance and its intimate view of wartime sacrifice.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Georgy Makharashvili leaves his Georgian village to search for his wounded son and continues toward Berlin after the son returns to the front.
The protagonist is an elderly Georgian wine-grower whose simple rural identity shapes the film's perspective on the Soviet war effort.
Georgy accompanies the Soviet Army across the front all the way to the final victory in Berlin.
The plot foregrounds Georgy's bond with soldiers and his search for his son rather than military strategy alone.
Films like Father of a Soldier, and why
The Cranes Are Flying
shared world war ii setting, humanist drama, and focus on ordinary people amid military conflict
The Ascent
shared georgian and soviet war cinema context, emotional restraint, and intimate treatment of wartime sacrifice
Ivan's Childhood
shared humanist war drama, fatherly devotion, and emphasis on personal endurance over combat spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Rezo Chkheidze
- Release Date
- 1965-05-11
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (52)
Cast
- Sergo Zakariadze
- Vladimir Privaltsev
- Aleksandr Nazarov
- Aleksandr Lebedev
- Vladimir Kolokoltsev
- Yuri Drozdov
- Ivan Kosykh
- Viktor Kosykh
- Viktor Uralsky
- Ketevan Bochorishvili
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Father of a Soldier about?
- An elderly Georgian father follows the Soviet advance across the Eastern Front in a moving search for his wounded son.
- What is Father of a Soldier like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Father of a Soldier as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Father of a Soldier violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Father of a Soldier as moderate.
- What did critics think of Father of a Soldier?
- The film is broadly recognized as a deeply moving, humanist war drama anchored by Sergo Zakariadze's performance and its intimate view of wartime sacrifice.
- Which films are like Father of a Soldier?
- Films with a similar feel include The Cranes Are Flying, The Ascent, and Ivan's Childhood.
- How long is Father of a Soldier?
- Father of a Soldier runs 83 minutes.
- Where can I watch Father of a Soldier?
- In United States, Father of a Soldier is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
