Is The Enchanted Desna Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1964)

📖 The Core Premise

The Enchanted Desna returns to the screen in 1964, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, War, Fantasy 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. "Based on the novel of the same name by Oleksandr Dovzhenko. About the childhood of the famous Ukrainian film director Oleksandr Dovzhenko, who was born on the ancient lands of Chernihiv, along the banks the Desna. The film consists of two parts. The first is the world shown through the impressions of the six-year-old Sashko. The second is the recollections and reasoning of Sashko, now an elderly colonel who liberates his native village during the war."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Enchanted Desna, Evgeniy Samoylov delivers a serviceable performance that keeps the narrative moving. 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 The Enchanted Desna worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, War, Fantasy 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, The Enchanted Desna is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 77 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.