Alexander Nevsky Film Review

            Alexander Nevsky is a 1938 Soviet film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. Eisenstein also handled the majority of the writing, but was assisted by Pyotr Pavlenko. The movie’s score was created by Sergei Prokofiev, and is by far my favorite part of the film. Alexander Nevsky is certainly a historical drama, however its historical accuracy and themes will be discussed in addition to the plot below.

            The plot of the film revolves around the invasion of Novgorod (located in northern Russia) by the Teutonic Knights (Germanic crusading force) in the 13^th century. During this time, Russia was fragmented into several states, the greatest of which is the Free City of Novgorod. Russia is threatened by the Swedes and Germans to the west, and the Mongols and Turks to the East and South. These antagonists conquer or exact tribute from the many independent princes in Russia. The central character is Alexander Nevsky, one such Russian Prince. After word reaches Novgorod that the invading Teutons have taken Pskov with the help of Russian traitors, the citizens debate what course of action they should take. They finally conclude that they should send for Prince Alexander, who was exiled a few years earlier, and invite him to defend the city. Envoys are sent, Alexander arrives, and he agrees to command the armies of Rus. He marches his army to the frozen lakes outside of Pskov, and engages the Teutonic force there. Nevsky is able to envelop the Teutonic forces by holding his left and right flanks back, allowing the Teutons to penetrate the center to the point where withdrawal would be problematic. Nevsky springs his trap, and the Russian forces thrash the Teutons. During the melee, Alexander captures the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, while several other Russian warriors best the other Teutonic Knights. The remaining Germanic forces retreat and are pursued by the Russians. The thin ice of the frozen lake breaks under the weight of the Teutonic forces, and several fleeing German knights drown. The film concludes with the triumphant Russians returning to Pskov with their prisoners, where they hold a court. They release the common foot soldiers of the Teutons, ransom the knights, and tear apart the treasonous Russians.

            The historical accuracy of this film is an interesting subject. It is based off historical figures and historical events. Alexander Nevsky did exist, there was a crusade launched against Russia in 1242, the Germanic knights were involved, and Nevsky did defeat them on a frozen lake. While there are some obvious embellishments, such as the knights slipping into the breaking ice and drowning, the movie seems grounded when compared to most Medieval cinema, at least in terms of visual portrayal. The costumes, sets, and general visuals all felt very appropriate, with one major exception: the helmets worn by the Teutonic footmen. These are very obviously modeled off of the stahlhelm worn by German infantry in WWI. These helmets were still a part of the German uniforms during the creation of Alexander Nevsky, and would remain so through WWII.

            Where the movie really clashes with history is in its themes. Alexander Nevsky was certainly a unifying figure in 13^th century Russia, and his ability to unite parts of the fragmented states, for as long as he could, is certainly part of our understanding of the idea of the emerging nation-state that came out of the 12^th and 13^th century. However, Eisenstein’s depiction of Nevsky is that of a firm leader that was a friend of the common people, and the one person capable of halting a German invasion. Most of the visuals may be Medieval, but these themes are clearly from 20^th century Russian communists. Nevsky is reflected nicely in Joseph Stalin, the Teutons are stand-ins for German Nazis, and the overriding refrain is the strength of the common people. The film has several lines that emphasize the responsibility of the common people to rise up and die for the motherland. The men and women of the common folk are shown to fight and die to defeat the Germans, while the wealthy do little but scheme.

            Overall, Eisenstein’s Alexander Nevsky is a great film, but it is not a great historical account. Broad information could be gained from viewing the film, such as the politics of the era (push to “Christianize” Russia), the primary actors (Teutonic Order and Livonian Order vs Novgorod), and the overarching events that take place (the Battle on Ice, failed invasion). However, it is more a call-to-arms for the people of Russia in the 1930s rather than a record of events. It is a reflection of Russian nationalism in the 20^th century, not of the 13^th century. Perhaps if there had been less interference from Communist Party officials Eisenstein could have done justice to the accepted history of Alexander Nevsky, one of Russia’s most remarkable Medieval princes.

References

Hellie, Richard. “Saint Alexander Nevsky.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 10 Nov. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Alexander-Nevsky.

Alexander Nevsky - New World Encyclopedia, 

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Alexander_Nevsky.

Merritt, Russell. “Recharging ‘Alexander Nevsky’: Tracking the Eisenstein-Prokofiev War Horse.” Film Quarterly, vol. 48, no. 2, 1994, pp. 34–47. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1213094.

Images:

Dessem, Matthew. “#87: Alexander Nevsky.” #87: Alexander Nevsky, 1 Jan. 1970, http://criterioncollection.blogspot.com/2008/09/87-alexander-nevsky.html.