The Red Tent (1969)

Moving story of a doomed Arctic expedition

Based on true events, The Red Tent is a moving story of a doomed Arctic expedition in 1928 that features a great cast and shouldn't be missed. In May 1928, Italian General Umberto Nobile begins an expedition to the Arctic with his crew in an airship, the Italia, with hopes of becoming the first explorers to reach the North Pole by air. Things go well early on as the Italia even reaches its destination, but nasty weather forces the ship back to its base as Kingsbay. It is on the return trip, that something malfunctions, forcing Nobile to crashland the Italia in the desolate Arctic wastelands. Rescue efforts are mounted, including a Russian icebreaking ship, aviators including the first explorer, Roald Amundsen, but can the survivors of the horrific crash survive in such harsh conditions? This is a bleak film, but it is a beautifully shot movie, especially the shots on the ice fields depicting the survivors trying to get by. The story is told from both perspectives, the survivors and the rescuers, and by the end you really feel for these characters and desperately hope the rescue comes as the days and weeks drag on. Then add in a very moving score from Ennio Morricone, and how can you lose?

Though he's given top billing at the head of a really strong cast, Sean Connery's part as Roald Amundsen is really nothing more than an extended cameo. He doesn't even show up until after the hour mark. It is a good part for Connery as Amundsen, the first Arctic explorer who joins the rescue effort, so don't count on two hours of Connery. Peter Finch gets the meaty role here as General Nobile, the leader of the expedition trying to keep his men going. A decision Nobile makes ends up torturing his thoughts throughout his life, something Finch pulls off well. Claudia Cardinale is excellent as Valeria, a nurse who falls in love with one of the expedition members, Finn Malmgren (Eduard Martsevich in a good part), and will stop at nothing to help bring him back. Hardy Kruger plays Lumborgh, a flyer in the rescue who has an alterior motive for his actions. Mario Adorf stands out in the supporting cast as Biagi, the radio operator who so desperately wants to get back to his pregnant wife. Much of the rest of cast are Russian actors who haven't been in many American films, but they provide strong support for the leads.

The DVD only offers the movie in a quality widescreen presentation, but unfortunately that's it. No special features here. The movie on its own is worth the price. The Red Tent is a moving story based on true events with a great cast, especially Peter Finch, so don't miss it! September 19, 2008

It could have been a SUPERB film!

This film could have deserved a big 5 Star rating, but the "love story" and the clumsy flashback framework kept me from giving it the fith star, I wish I could've, but anyhow I enjoyed it inmensely.
How come none of the friends that I have mentioned this film to have never heard about it? What a shame! June 30, 2007

How to tell a extraordinary history

Simply a extraordinary DVD, that tells us a lot of the human nature. Not only for the history, althoug not always fi to the real facts, but the focus on the personal dramas that could have been happend is the point: what would have been thought, felt and done if you have been in the place of that men? How about to wear the shoes of those peoples? The movie brings you to that questions. March 9, 2007

Too cold for me.

I have seen this film a couple times on TV and enjoyed it very much. I have always been interested in explorer and exploration. The only bad part was the so-called love story part of the film. It had no place in this film. January 9, 2007

Adventure and Philosophy - Films Don't Get Any Better Than This One

Since viewing this film 35 years ago I have been in awe of it, it is certainly my all-time favorite and would most likely get my nomination for best film ever. On this point I probably stand in splendid isolation (or to quote Finn Malmgren: "emptiness, loneliness, beauty, and purity"). I mention this in the hope that this will encourage readers to view the film. If you are seeking a comparison, "Krasnaya Palatka" ("The Red Tent") is most like the original "Flight of the Phoenix"; both are superficially action adventure films, with deep allegorical elements about the dynamics behind the functioning of a civilized society. "The Red Tent" even gets a little philosophical along the lines of life as a journey and not a destination.

This is Director Mikheil Kalatozishvili's tribute to Sergei Eisenstein, a disorienting yet organized montage of vast scale juxtaposed with claustrophobic confinement (its worth watching again just to focus on the scene transitions-the editing is brilliant). The scenes inside the dirigible and the red tent (the title character) are carefully cut into spectacular exterior shots of arctic landscapes and the dynamic energy of crowds in the Russian countryside and city.

There is a fusion of European expressionism with Hollywood realism in this film unlike anything I have ever seen before. This is possible because of the storytelling device of having everything unfold in flashbacks by the main character General Nobile (Peter Finch). Nobile was the organizer and commander of Italy's ill-fated attempt to reach the North Pole by dirigible. This generally true (certain historical liberties are taken to simplify things) story is told entirely from his point of view.

Forty years after the expedition Nobile is a disgraced figure living in Rome and burdened by guilt and sleeplessness. You learn that on sleepless nights he conjures up participants in the expedition fiasco (both members and rescuers), letting them judge him for his actions 40 years ago. These sessions have been largely inconclusive but this night he pulls out all stops and convenes a full trial in his living room-with almost all the central figures present. More importantly, for the first time he names the ruthless Lundborg (Hardy Kruger) as his prosecutor-a move that Lundborg assures him will mean that the jury will reach a verdict for the first time. These are not ghosts but rather figments of Nobile's imagination and they behave according to his perception of how they would behave.

This storytelling device allows the film to have its own commentary, making it not just an exciting adventure film with wonderful visuals, but an examination of the concept of leadership (much like "Command Decision", "A Gathering of Eagles", and "They Came to Cordura"). More importantly it becomes an allegorical study about free will and destiny, as careful planning and good judgment are just two factors in any complex operation; the outcome of which is subject just as much to luck, the unforeseen events, and the interpersonal dynamics of those involved.

The many characters are a representative cross section of society; with heroes, opportunists, martinets, dreamers, and average Joes. Ultimately, things happen (both good and bad) not because of the challenge of man versus nature, but because of the placement and misplacement of human resources (i.e. the right or wrong person assigned to a particular role in the expedition and the rescue efforts).

From the events portrayed in the "The Rent Tent" it is difficult to fault Nobile as a leader. He wisely turns back to Kings Bay when the weather gets bad, he is genuinely devastated at the loss of some of his men, and his actions after the crash are all reasonable. He can be blamed for allowing Lundborg to bring him out before his men but under the circumstances it was a sensible decision if not a politically correct one. As Samoilovich, Captain of the Russian Icebreaker Krassin points out, a leader is judged by the consequences of his actions and Nobile's early rescue is the reason the other surviving crewmen are ultimately rescued.

Nobile's fantasy trial eventually dredges from his subconscious the realization of why he choose to leave with Lundborg (1000 reasons to stay-1001 to leave). That such a trivial and self-indulgent reason was the difference maker accounts for his continuing guilt. This realization, along with the belief that Amundsen (his peer) is the only one fit to judge him, allows Nobile to finally forgive himself for being human. They go out with Amundsen's advice to reflect not on their failures but on the things they attempted and the wondrous things they saw. There is no guilt in not achieving an ambitious goal, making the attempt is more important than succeeding.

The music is also great.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child. September 11, 2006

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