Solaris (Tarkovsky)

Star Review

Like the bible you can almost make this film mean whatever you want it to mean! Those who criticise it for its "slowgoing" miss the point, that what is happening is happening in the mind, emotions and souls of The participants-In particular Hari and Kelvin. I consider it to be a truly spiritual film that gives insight into man's humanity and his own spirituality.

john on 12th December 2002

View all 3 of john’s reviews

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Film Description

Mind-bending, metaphysical sci-fi about a psychologist who is sent to a space station to investigate mysterious deaths and discovers supernatural phenomena. Slow-moving and elegaic, hypnotic once one adjusts, an undoubted tour de force by Tarkovsky, who also co-wrote the screenplay.

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In an ideal world, this work should be recognizable to lovers of literature and film as genuine science-fiction. As pointed out by other reviewers, it has the porten... more >

In an ideal world, this work should be recognizable to lovers of literature and film as genuine science-fiction. As pointed out by other reviewers, it has the portent and wonder of Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey", but a personalized and so more suspenseful and deadly danger. < less

This film is more than a film. There is no word to describe how good it is. More emotional impact than '2001'. It has the answers to the meaning of life . . . kind of... more >

This film is more than a film. There is no word to describe how good it is. More emotional impact than '2001'. It has the answers to the meaning of life . . . kind of.

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View all 98 of anon’s reviews

Acclaimed and compared by many to Kubrick's 2001. Cosmonauts reach a planet which allows their most dangerous thoughts to become real. The central idea is familiar fr... more >

Acclaimed and compared by many to Kubrick's 2001. Cosmonauts reach a planet which allows their most dangerous thoughts to become real. The central idea is familiar from a couple of Star Trek episodes, but it is the humanity and skill with which it is explored that elevates this to such a high level. In essence as much about human relationships as it is about outer space. < less

View all 98 of anon’s reviews

Mind-bending, metaphysical sci-fi about a psychologist who's sent to a space station to investigate mysterious deaths and discovers supernatural phenomena. Slow-moving... more >

Mind-bending, metaphysical sci-fi about a psychologist who's sent to a space station to investigate mysterious deaths and discovers supernatural phenomena. Slow-moving and occasionally pretentious, but hypnotic once one adjusts, and an undoubted tour de force by Tarkovsky, who also co-wrote the screenplay. < less

View all 6 of Peter Warring’s reviews

I was unsure about this film, having read elsewhere that it was a bit too pretentious and long. However, having enjoyed Stalker immensely, I searched it out and though... more >

I was unsure about this film, having read elsewhere that it was a bit too pretentious and long. However, having enjoyed Stalker immensely, I searched it out and thought it was fantastic. Clever, creepy and ultimately very moving. The ending is magnificent. < less

View all 98 of anon’s reviews

A beautiful moving film, dealing with the absence and neglect of love and the ultimate wish for the loss of loss. Set on a space station circling solaris, and yet con... more >

A beautiful moving film, dealing with the absence and neglect of love and the ultimate wish for the loss of loss. Set on a space station circling solaris, and yet connected to earth by the spectures of past memories and fantasies, the film builds in to plea for a beginning not yet undone. < less

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DVD Extras

• Filmographies, stills, biographies and interviews with Natalya Bondarchuk, Donatas Banonias and Marina Tarkovkaya. Dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack in Russian, English and French.

Film Details

Cast

Natalya Bondarchuk, Donatas Banionas, Yuri Jarvet

Technical Details