Grim tale of death and glory
THE FINAL STAND (CERT 15) ◆◆◆
BASED on true events, this Russian films tells the story of cadets in World War II who kept the Germans out of Moscow in October 1941.
Junior Sergeant Alex Lavrov (Artyom Gubin) and good friend Dmitry Shemyakin (Igor Yudin) are cadets at Podolsk Artillery and Infantry schools located to the south of the capital. The two young men are training under the watchful eye of Colonel Strelbitsky (Evgeniy Dyatlov) to become the Red Army’s next leaders.
Alex and Dmitry are both in love with nurse Masha Grigorieva (Lubov Konstantinova), who is preparing to tend wounds alongside military doctor Nikitina (Yekaterina Rednikova). Their fraternal bond is severely tested when the cadets are dispatched to the Ilyinsky Frontier to thwart the German advance.
Director Vadim Shmelyov stages battle sequences – including a heartstopping slow-motion opening scene – with breathless brio on land and in the air, orchestrating pyrotechnics and daredevil stunts on a grand scale to set pulses racing.
A vast ensemble cast is ruthlessly scythed down by German bullets and bombs, bringing home the overwhelming sense of loss during a battle that lasted almost two long weeks.
●Available digitally from Monday and also on DVD £15.99.
RESTLESS NATIVES (CERT 12) ◆◆◆◆◆
ALONG with Gregory’s Girl and Local Hero, Restless Natives reclaimed Scotland’s identity in the 80s – showing our humour as well as a country hard hit by the Tories.
A brand new restoration of the film brings the film up to scratch for a new generation of film fans on DVD, Blu-ray and digitally – as well as being a delight for those of us who still have it on video. Released in 1985, it stars Vincent Friell (Will) and Joe Mullaney (Ronnie) as two under-employed pals living on a housing estate in Edinburgh.
Tempted by the wealth of foreign tourists they jump on a motorbike and don a wolfman and a clown mask to rob the rich. Using a puffer gun loaded with homemade mace the would-be gangsters politely hold up coachloads of Highland tourists soon become as big as Nessie. They then turn Robin Hood scattering their spoils to the hard-pressed locals.
Hot on their trail is holidaying CIA Agent Fritz Bender, played by Ned Beatty who appeared as Otis in the first two Superman films. He added the box office draw for Americans.
Given the success in America of Outlander brings thousands of tourists to our shores and our shrinking economy, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Wolfman and the Clown ride again.
RICK FULTON
●Available digitally now and also to buy DVD £12.99/ Blu-ray £14.99
Keep releasing music and keep the momentum going. Hopefully get loads of shows in over summer if we are allowed to do them and promote my album around the world.
Lady Leshurr guested on your 2015 song Run. Have you been watching her on Dancing on Ice?
No I haven’t seen her but wishing her the best and hope she wins! She’s a super positive person and has great energy. We shot the video for Run in South Africa which she came to. It was amazing.
●Single Fly ‘Em High out now. Tiggs’ debut album Blame It On The Youts is out next Friday.
Across
7 Having problems with a points failure (2,1,4) 9 Man with a moor plant (5) 10 Rebuilt study is covered in fine powder (5) 11 One friend collects Italian copy (7) 12 Initially worms emerge thoroughly moist (3) 13 Admire Scottish loch portrait (8) 16 Keep on once unit is disbanded (8) 17 Manipulate sailing tackle (3) 19 Camp boy nearly held in revolutionary Cuba (7) 21 Chase round a frequently visited place (5) 22 Swell certain to catch
latest in clothing (5) 23 Push forcefully stifling
cry of pain with skill (7)
Down
1 Secure draw for Irish county (3,4) 2 Unnatural voice of latest converts (8) 3 Nimble mole gets right inside (4)
4 European fancied change before open resistance (8) 5 Verdi offering to help with article (4) 6 In conflict, vacant force takes the biscuit (5) 8 Attire of thoughtful person, unlike Henry VIII, on top (8,3) 13 Salad ingredients cut with steel, possibly (8)
14 Odd usher oddly enveloped (8) 15 I am uppermost in his mind (7) 18 Humble sailor going to sea, unfortunately (5) 20 Change egg supplier, getting nothing off (4) 21 One should catch the eye (4)