Come And See Movie Review (1985)
An astonishing film about the pain and misery in the resistance and small villages during World War II as seen through a teenager’s eyes, Come And See will leave you speechless.
There are many spectacular films about World War II that have become standard viewing. Schindler’s List, The Pianist, and Saving Private Ryan are just a few that have stood the test of time and exhibited the terror and hardships of such an awful period of history. But I have to tell you, this film is different. It is not better or worse, it is just its own experience.
Come And See centers around Flyora, a 14 year old Belarusian boy who lives in a small village with his mother and young twin sisters. When he and a friend dig up a rifle, he is quickly drafted into the local resistance. The film follows his experiences with various people as he goes from an eager young man through the realizations of what war has done to the spirits and villages around him.
This is a brilliant film. I have never seen anything quite like it. It is unpolished and raw, but also beautiful and unnerving. You are never comfortable watching this film, and you are not meant to be.
It is quickly apparent that one of the hallmarks of Come and See is that the camera shoots straight into the actors’ faces. There is nowhere for you to hide, as you connect with whatever they are experiencing in that moment. It is stark and disconcerting at times, but also vulnerable and authentic.
The movie is a slow build. Flyora is excited to be part of the action. He doesn’t fully understand what is happening as his mother breaks down over the news that her son is being recruited and has drawn attention to their village. He is full of smiles and excitement as he reaches the camp and is curious about the one teenage girl in the group of dozens of men. He laughs and enjoys the rainbows in the water, as he showers water down from the trees for bathing.
As Flyora’s journey continues, he slowly gains maturity and realizations in all of the ways that you wish a child wouldn’t have to. And by the end, he understands the full weight of the war and wishes that he could destroy it all, as depicted by an overwhelming montage of real images.
Come And See is an incredibly difficult film to watch, but I would argue that it is among the most important that we have available. While other, more polished movies tell us what happened during that horrific time, this one feels the most honest. You never feel like you are watching actors and after some research, it’s not surprising to find out why. This video is definitely one to watch after you have finished the movie.
Come And See is mandatory viewing for any cinephile. I did not cry while watching it, but I got increasingly nauseous and physically uncomfortable the further I got into the film. And now, even though I’d like to, I cannot stop thinking about it. That is the marker of a powerful piece of cinema.
Runtime: 142 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: Not Rated (But I would say R)
Languages Spoken In The Film: Belarusian, Russian, and German with English subtitles
Should You Watch It? Yes, absolutely, but it’s a tough watch
Did I Cry? No, but I was physically uncomfortable and nauseous
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Available: Free on YouTube, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
