Is Dauria Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1972)

📖 The Core Premise

Dauria returns to the screen in 1972, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, History genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A chronicle of life in a small village in the Baikal Region on the eve of World War I and at the time of the October Revolution. The age-old foundations are crumbling, the process of social stratification is underway and, as a result, some people go to defend the revolution, and others - to fight against it. The main hero is the young Cossack Roman Ulybin. At first, this carefree daredevil is preoccupied only with one problem: whether his sweetheart, Dashutka, is to marry him or a merchant’s son, Alyoshka. Roman is killing time fist-fighting with his rival. But little by little, the young man realizes that the world around him has changed, that people are fighting for equality and social justice, and, being a real Cossack, he can’t remain on the sidelines…"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Vitali Solomin does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Dauria worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, History films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Dauria is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 172 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.