Red Army, 2014.
Directed by Gabe Polsky.
Starring Slava Fetisov, Vladislav Tretiak, Scotty Bowman, and Vladimir Pozner.
SYNOPSIS:
Following the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War, Red Army tells the story of the nation’s famed Red Army hockey team through the eyes of its captain Slava Fetisov.
During the Cold War the Soviet Union saw an opportunity to strike a blow at the Western World by reigning supreme in hockey. A military training program was developed to produce elite athletes who forfeited the ability to have a personal life for national pride by playing for the Red Army. When the communist state collapsed prized players were sold to N.H.L. to deal with the financial shortfall. Key interviewee is Slava Fetisov who was appointed team captain, fell out of favour with the communist authorities, left for the N.H.L. and came back to Russia to serve as the Minister of Sports; his own story along with those of his teammates provide the means to examine the political and cultural landscape of the Soviet Union.
There is no lack of fascination, whether it’s the involvement of the KGB, the replacement of a beloved coach for a heartless one, the bonding of five players who became the core of a hockey dynasty, a defection to the West, a betrayal, a hostile reception from the West, a Stanley Cup winning coach with foresight, a return to a homeland, and a reconciliation. The elements are woven together in a narrative that flows and has a sense of focus. With title cards that transform from Russian to English, cool graphics, loads of archival footage, plenty of interview clips, and culturally relevant music, filmmaker Gabe Polsky (The Motel Life) has crafted a slick production.
The remarkable accomplishment is somewhat undermined by what are essentially outtakes being inserted for questionable comic effect such as Slava Fetisov giving the man behind the camera the finger as the hockey legend spends time on his cellphone and a little girl with her grandfather who was used to be a KGB agent complaining about the colour of his sunglasses. However, the flaw is not fatal as the shear scope and detail covered by the documentary results in a wealth of information and insight for audience members.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★★★★/ Movie: ★★★★
Originally published September 8, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
