Foreign language film or not, The Admiral is a phenomenal cinematographic reconstruction of the vicious three years of Russian Civil War that took place between 1917 and 1920. Over the course of that period, over 800,000 Russians lost their lives in some of the bloodiest internecine battles on land and sea in the period immediately following Lenin’s overthrow of the Romanoff Czar, Czarina and their family.

The Admiral Aleksandr Koltchak of this superb film, played supremely by the dashingly good looking Konstantin Khabensky, is portrayed as an outstanding leader of a group known to oppose the Bolsheviks, The Whites. Although it is difficult to follow the storyline, thanks to imprecise subtitles, enough of the central theme comes across, which is in essence a love story between Koltchak and the exceptionally attractive wife (Elizabeta Boyarskaya) of an enemy agent.

Regarded as one of the bravest and most legendary of naval officers, his devotion to this dangerous woman ultimately leads to his own demise. Of course, historically it was a time of great deceit and betrayal and there is a certain inevitability to the conclusion and his capture by Czech forces that leads to his execution. It is reputed that, at £20million, this is one of, if not, THE biggest budget Russian movies of all time. It is certainly spectacular, with outstanding attention to detail on costumes, uniforms, scenery and special effects. It does not attempt to hide anything, gore and all, and I found myself wincing at flying shrapnel that was apparently removing the arms and legs of several of the actors! The sheer irrationality of the cruel executions that took place and the fascinating lives led by this apparent berklasse of force leaders is played out, without dipping into the colourless greys of other Russian films that I have seen.

The casting is excellent. The backdrops are superb. The direction by Andrei Kravchuk is first-class. This is an excellent international film that lives up to expectations.