The Ascent [Blu Ray] [The Criterion Collection] [Arrives in 30 Days] Free Delivery

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The Ascent (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]Directed by: Larisa ShepitkoDescriptionThe crowning triumph of a career cut tragically short, The Ascent is Larisa Shepitko’s final film and winner of the Golden Bear at the 1977 Berlin Film Festival. In the bleakest days of World War II, two partisans trek across the blizzard-swept landscape of Nazi-occupied Belarus in search of supplies for their beleaguered unit.When they are captured by German forces and confronted with the prospect of death, each man must choose between martyrdom and betrayal, in a spiritual ordeal that lifts the story from raw wartime drama to the realm of religious allegory. With stark, visceral cinematography that pits blinding white snow against pitch-black despair, The Ascent finds poetry and transcendence amid the harrowing trials of war.Key FeaturesAcclaimed World War II drama directed by Larisa Shepitko.Winner of the Golden Bear at the 1977 Berlin Film Festival.Widely regarded as one of the finest works of late-Soviet cinema.Set in Nazi-occupied Belarus during the darkest days of the war.Starring Boris Plotnikov, Lyudmila Polyakova, Sergey Yakovlev, Viktoriya Goldentul, and Vladimir Gostyukhin.Media format: Blu-ray, subtitled; English subtitles included.MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated).Release date: January 26, 2021.Studio: The Criterion Collection.Special FeaturesFeatureDescriptionNew 4K Digital RestorationNew 4K digital restoration of The Ascent, presented with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack for maximum image and audio fidelity.Selected-Scene CommentaryNew selected-scene audio commentary featuring film scholar Daniel Bird, offering analysis of key moments, themes, and visual choices.Video Introduction by Anton KlimovNew video introduction by Anton Klimov, son of Larisa Shepitko and filmmaker Elem Klimov, reflecting on Shepitko’s life and legacy.Interview with Lyudmila PolyakovaNew interview with actor Lyudmila Polyakova discussing her role in the film and working with Shepitko.The Homeland of Electricity (1967)A 1967 short film by Larisa Shepitko, included as a companion piece to The Ascent.Larisa (1980)A 1980 short film tribute to Larisa Shepitko directed by Elem Klimov, her husband, honoring her life and work.Documentaries on ShepitkoTwo documentaries from 2012 exploring Shepitko’s life, body of work, and relationship with Elem Klimov.1999 Program with Shepitko InterviewA 1999 program featuring a rare interview with Larisa Shepitko, offering firsthand insight into her artistic vision.New English Subtitle TranslationUpdated English subtitle translation for improved accuracy and nuance.Booklet EssayPrinted essay by poet Fanny Howe, providing a literary and spiritual reading of the film.