An expansive Russian drama, this film focuses on the life of revered religious icon painter Andrei Rublev. Drifting from place to place in a tumultuous era, the peace-seeking monk eventually gains a reputation for his art. But after Rublev witnesses a brutal battle and unintentionally becomes involved, he takes a vow of silence and spends time away from his work. As he begins to ease his troubled soul, he takes steps towards becoming a painter once again.
Direction
Tarkovsky makes 183 minutes feel like a fever dream you can't escape.
Cinematography
Monochrome mud and blood somehow more vivid than technicolor.
Practical Effects
That bell? Actually cast. No CGI, just terrified genius and fire.
Director
Andrei Tarkovsky
Anatoliy Solonitsyn
Andrei Rublev
Ivan Lapikov
Kirill
Mykola Hrynko
Daniil Chornyy
Nikolai Sergeyev
Theophanus the Greek
Irma Raush
God's Fool
Nikolay Burlyaev
Boriska
Yuriy Nazarov
Grand Duke / Minor Duke
Yuriy Nikulin
Patrikey
Rolan Bykov
Buffoon
Nikolay Grabbe
Stepan, Centurion of the Grand Duke
Mikhail Kononov
Foma
Stepan Krylov
Senior Foundry Worker
Bolot Beyshenaliev
Tatar Khan
Anatoliy Obukhov
Aleksey
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Soviet censors cut the film so savagely it wasn't shown complete until 1971, and the original negative was allegedly destroyed—what survived is a reconstructed miracle.
Rublev's actual icons were suppressed by Soviet anti-religious campaigns; Tarkovsky's film became their most powerful resurrection, seen by millions who'd never enter a church.
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