Andrei Rublev

* This review contains moderate spoilers starting in the second paragraph and ending after the third paragraph. Read at your own discretion. * With just his second feature film, Andrei Tarkovsky cemented his place in cinematic history by directing Andrei Rublev, a contender for one of the greatest films ever made. The film has a colossal scope, brilliantly balancing the spiritual journey of its protagonist, the icon painter Andrei Rublev, with the turbulent history of 15th-century Russia. Many historical epics attempting to juggle individual and societal narratives falter—either one aspect is underdeveloped, or both remain too broad and superficial (a notable example being * Schindler's List, which tries to juggle both Oskar Schindler's life and a depiction of the Holocaust). Andrei Rublev, * however, stands as a flawless exception. The film’s narrative centers on Rublev’s spiritual and artistic evolution. Initially, he is optimistic yet somewhat oblivious, humble but unconsciously believing himself spiritually superior to others because of his faith. Through a series of vignettes, he witnesses social and political upheavals beyond his control that profoundly alter his outlook on faith and purpose. Confronted with widespread evil, Rublev grows convinced that no one can truly be saved. He believes pagans, Tatars, and all non-believers face the ‘Final Judgment’ and, in despair, distances himself from society and his art. His passion wanes as he watches his work destroyed. When Tatars raid a cathedral where he and many others have sought refuge, only he and a mute girl he “saved” survive, after he kills a soldier about to rape her. Wracked by survivor’s guilt, Rublev feels punished by God, forced to endure the pain of witnessing horrors and the mockery of his work. Yet the film’s final vignette brings a spiritual awakening. Rublev realizes his true sin was silence -- that his art exists for God’s satisfaction, not for popular approval. Reborn, he rediscovers his purpose and passion. Rublev’s story forms only half the narrative. The film also portrays Russia in turmoil: poverty, famine, plague, and political collapse ravage the land. The country’s leadership fractures under power struggles, resulting in relentless conflict and slaughter. Christianity is under siege, with invaders attempting to erase it and many Russians reverting to paganism as God’s silence persists. Even faithful individuals like Rublev struggle to find hope. Tarkovsky’s depiction of 15th-century Russia is stark and unforgiving. Horses are brutally killed, dogs fight savagely over scraps, and dead swans symbolize decay. People suffer torturous deaths amid biting snow. The vast, empty landscapes isolate clusters of people, who remain emotionally and spiritually alone. One of the film’s most powerful scenes appears in the sixth episode, “The Raid.” After the Tatar massacre, Rublev dreams of a conversation with a dead painter he once worked with, Theophanes the Greek. Theophanes tells him, “Through our sins, evil has assumed a human form. Encroaching evil means encroaching humanity. God will forgive you. Don’t forgive yourself. Live between divine forgiveness and your own torment.” Later, Rublev reflects, “Russia... Russia. Our mother country suffers all. She will endure all. But how long will this go on?” Theophanes replies, “I don’t know... Forever, most likely.” Then, pointing to a cathedral painting, he says, “Yet how beautiful all this is!” This exchange encapsulates the film’s themes: evil is everywhere because no human is perfect: we all sin. Yet we must not be hypocritical in judging others when we ourselves are flawed. The film asserts that despite the prevalence of evil, we cannot lose faith in ourselves or our society. In fact, Andrei Rublev argues that the darkest times demand the greatest faith, kindness, and compassion. No society is immune to hardship or decline; suffering is inevitable. But abandoning hope and faith deepens the darkness. The path forward lies in helping one another and nurturing humanity, one person at a time, until we show all of the world how beautiful life is. 100 Story & Pacing: 20/20 Characters & Acting: 19/20 Themes: 50/50 Cinematography & Editing: 5/5 Soundtrack & Sound: 5/5 Memorability: 1/1