Brandon's Cult Movie Reviews: RUSSIAN JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS
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- Опубліковано 31 гру 2020
- Ever wish "Jason And The Argonauts" had no monsters & lots of musical numbers? Well this 1986 version from the USSR has got you covered!
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I wonder if there's Russian musical versions of any other Ray Harryhausen movies?
Please God forbidd there’s not a Russian Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
Hey I think there are some Russian versions of Ray harryhausen movies
Привет из России! 🤚
The Hobbit was not a movie. It was a theatrical play performed for television, it was a thing in USSR as a means to bring traditional theater to peoples's homes, to increase it's popularity and and for people who couldn't go to theater (living in a tiny villages or on the outsirts of the country for example)
Also... dude, you want a real gem AND a russian superhero movie (kinda)? Do this one: "Act, Manya! (Действуй, Маня!)". A Terminator/Robocop knockoff with just a little bit of Weird Science. Now that movie should give you some material.
"Why do I have the feeling they really threw spears at that guy?"
During the making of the Russian movie "Afghan breakdown", the starring Italian actor Michele Placido went to congratulate the director and the special effects crew for how realistic the prop guns were both in handling and shooting.
That's when he learned that they were handling real guns and shooting real bullets, because you know, cheaper.
I'm imagening Placido with a smile on his face telling this to the director, the director telling him that the guns are real and Placido still having the smile on his face sayin "what?"
@@elroma7712 And I imagine he then passed out. Lord knows I probably would have.
Makes me glad he wasn't impressed by how realistic the gruesome stuff was.
@@rgeiler7627 does that mean people actually got shot.
@@elroma7712 Why were there even guns in a movie set in ancient Greece???
A sovjet musical parody about an ancient greek myth in the style of Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Hell yeah.
But was there a dragon in it... Or people covered in glitter?
You see the good in everything :-)
Nah, Holy Grail had some special effects in it. This feels more like the style of Jesus Christ Superstar.
@@morphman86 no that was Tim The Enchanter power, and that rabbit... Didn't you see the bones?!
Also, catapulting a wooden Trojan bunny is a practical effect not special....
And a scene from Elton John "I'm still standing" music video 😂😂😂
The name of the movie is called "The jolly Chronicle of a dangerous Journey" , funny thing a lot of names listed in the credits are considered classic Russian actors. The movie itself was more of a comedy musical than well a more serious movie.
Apparently Russians have a very different sense of humor.
@@truefanforum3273 Eh, sort of kinda off. There was another movie that was mainly done as a parody of American westerns while having some musical numbers was clearly made to be this light-hearted comedy, I mean the main character heals from his injuries after watching some Charlie Chaplin movies.
Weirdly the location of the Golden Fleece would have been in the Soviet Union. It was supposed to have been in the Country of Georgia.
This film was filmed there. In fact, most of the actors are Georgians, not Russians.
@@user-hy8yk4zd3b that explains the banjo...
Yes I'm from Georgia and noticed lots of places from my country
@@user-hy8yk4zd3b That makes sense.
@Libtards STILL cant Silence me 2 Well, the Greek civilization went all the way into Georgia. I read the idea of the Golden Fleece was from how the Georgians at the time would get gold from streams. They'd use a sheep skin, rather than a gold pan. But I am not sure the validity of that.
After watching the first half of this video, I was convinced that Brandon was accidentally using footage from Russian Jesus Christ Superstar.
Manos hands of fate terrible movie
Torgo: I am Torgo. I take care of the place while the Master is away.
Torgo: There is no way out of here. It will be dark soon. There is no way out of here.
Torgo: There is nothing to fear, madam. The Master likes you. Nothing will happen to you. He likes you.
Margaret: Likes me? I thought you said he was dead?
Torgo: Dead? No, madam. Not dead the way you know it. He is with us always. Not dead the way you know it. He is with us always.
The Master: You have failed us, Torgo. For this you must die.
😂🤣
Same thought... esp the Herod scene.
Thought the EXACT same thing lol
Serious JCS vibes.
@@mikesilva3868 They made a sequel to that movie? :P
The original title translates like "A Fun Chronicle of a Dangerous Adventure"
Why?
i thought it meant "Rush B"
Not so much a title as a disclaimer! 😆
Somehow knowing that makes this so much better.
"Fun"
When people say Japan's films are weird..
Russia: *hold my vodka comrade.*
*our vodka
I love Godzilla movies 📼
Imagine what Russian Godzilla would be like.
Yeah, but don't drink it!! *shortened breath* Real stuff's strong... even for an Irishman... like me... okay, part Irish...
@@CD-Gaming 😎
There's enough weirdness out there Brandon could keep this show going for 50 years if he wanted to.
With infinite options for re-newal!
Try a 100+ years. Yeah, that's how big the amount for this kind of movies are. :P
Why do I get the feeling I wouldn't understand this movie even if I did speak Russian?
Nah, you would the movie is actually pretty easy to understand if one watches it in Russian. You want some REAL confusing shit, watch some of the movies that started coming out during the Perestroyka.
I don't understand it and I do speak Russian.
Haven't watched this video yet, so I don't know yet. XD
Fun Fact: judging by the cover, this movie's name is: Fun (Весёлое*) Chronicle Of Dangerous Journey.
*Try Google Translate, I'm not sure how to translate this word. XD (actually I know, but the word "gay" means completely different thing XD)
Ok. I've watched the video and haven't understood what's going on in this movie. %)
Hm. And no, there is no superhero knockoffs among USSR movies. At least, as I know. There is actually, a Russian Spider-Man movie - "Black Lightning" (Чёрная Молния), which was made _after_ US Spider-Man. XD
Meanwhile, there are actually lots of awesome Soviet movies. Which are considered actual classics. Heh. And there are some good Russian movies, but now days (actually, for a long time) most of modern Russian movies, are "Direct to BadComedian*" trash.
*He's like Nostalgia Critic, if Critic was an actual Jesus (BadComedian have some insanely good reputation). XD
Cause they have some serious spelling problems, comrade. :) I barely understand them.
And out of nowhere we have a Portuguese lyric about samba. U never seem to stop impressing, Brandon.
*Video has brazilian portuguese
Comments: Quem é BR dá like ai
Brandon should do a country theme. January is Russian knockoff month, February is Chinese, March is India, etc.
And just to be weird: Filipino action movies
I already found a Chinese knockoff of Batman, where Batman is a woman.
Denmark has entered the chat with "Reptilicus" and "A Viking Saga:Son of Thor"
@@SAM-ru4vx hasn't he already done the best Filipino action movie of all time?
@@DistractedGlobeGuy what movie?
That Divine reference with the harpies actually made me do a spit take LMAO!
Guardians is a russian superhero movie, its free on Tubi. Its a trip.
loved the big dude when he went beast mode🤔🤔👍😁👍👌🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸
I was shocked by the bad reviews for it. I was thoroughly entertained.
I was considering watching it last night, but thought it would suck. Since you say it's worth a watch, I'll try it out. Thanks.
It is "so bad that is actually good" kind.
I have that movie and I really like it. The effects are actually pretty cool, and the story is solid. I can't say much about the acting because dubbing really takes something out of the performances.
I think this might be Russian, "Monty Python 's Jason and the Argonauts".
Aw man I really wish they'd done that... I think like half of them are dead now, though...
actually in terms of tone and accuracy to source material (greek mythology) you are correct for most part
Alternatively, “Dingo Pictures’ Jason and the Argonauts”.
that strong guy looks like a yoked out Donald Pleasence
Indeed! Happy New Year Multiverse.
Oh so it's a Russian version of a sword and sandal movie.
I hereby nominate they be known as “borscht and breastplate” films
I am entirely sure I've seen a bunch of Ruso-finnish myths rewritten as Simbad stories and greek myths on MST3K. I suspect that may be a fertile area for these reviews.
3:21 In Soviet Russia, "no" means "yes"
Why does the harpy look like she's gonna start singing Dead or Alive
Hopefully as a cinematic version of mutual assured destruction, maybe there's a cheap American musical production of Alexander Nevsky.
Nevsky.. On Ice! The Figure Skating Musical.
DW Griffith's _How The Steel Was Tempered_
In Russia, the fighting skeletons are real skeletons.
No, you're thinking of _Tobe Hooper's Jason and The Argonauts._
More like singing and dancing skeletons, given that this movie is a weird musical
This is the closest thing to a live action mockbuster made by Dingo Pictures.
Musical remakes of movies is a regular occurrence in Bollywood.
9:57 Wow! So apparently Soviet Aeëtes is pulling double duty as Soviet Craster! He weds his daughters, they give him more daughters, and on and on it goes...
In Soviet Russia, Golden Fleece finds you.
I should have known somebody would do that joke!
06:40 Joke's on you: That's the third actor they'd gotten for that role. The previous two weren't agile enough.
SO glad you watched this for US. Thanks for taking another one for the team!
Yeah, as... one of your biggest Russian fans, I hope to see more reviews of Russian and Soviet movies. But it depends on Patreon requests, I understand.
for everyone of your fans, I apologize for making you sit through this, "Film?", for our sick enjoyment. and as for Russian superhero movies, look at Nightwatch and Daywatch.
I love both Nightwatch and Daywatch.
Neither Nightwatch or Daywatch are superhero movies. They're more like Blade or Underworld since it's more about supernatural creatures being locked in a Cold War.
@@Lawlaliet does not matter. It features characters that have super powers and abilities, so that works for me. Night watch and Day watch are great films
@@fletchkeilman2205 That's still not a superhero movie. By your backward logic, Dracula, Wolfman, and Frankenstein are also "super hero" movies.
@@Lawlaliet Isn't there a russian Avengers? With a Super-Bear and stuff?
We just loved making movies musicals. Many have become cult classics.
BONEY-M REFRENCE FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!! Dude Brandon you are seriously a Canadian national treasure! keep up the great work!!!!!!
Now I wanna see a movie with a disco dancing Heracles.
That exists. It stars Lou Ferigno, but the disco scene has him being played by a modified Ken doll.
I've actually never heard of that movie but when I saw your review I noticed lots of places from my country Georgia 🇬🇪. Which is located between Turkey and Russia. Our country has a coast to the black sea that's why they could make big ship models. Also those ruins where they fought that weird monster is called uflis cikhe (უფლის ციხე) which is more then 2000 years old place and even most of the folk dances they performed were performed by our country dancers. Also most of the actors playing roles are from Georgia And the title Argonavtebi is on Georgian and not Russian it's in plural form (არგონავტები). Also Soviets were real assholes to our country like most of the enemys our country fought throughout the centuries. So our country is independent and ancient and has a great cultural identity. We actually have a lots of good movies and this isn't one of them. They even don't talk Georgian. So thank you Brendon for reviewing this movie it was really funny and hello from Georgia 🇬🇪
Did they pull these dancers off the set of Russian Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster?
NYET!
Translator: What the heck does that mean? Sounds likes 'yes' I suppose, that will do.
That is an example of just how inaccurate the subtitles are. Whoever did the subtitles apparently did not get someone better versed in the spoken language to proofread them.
"What if there was a Russian version of Captain America?!?"
Wouldn't that be, Red Guardian??
Commandant Russia??? lol
There is. His name's Omega Red. lol
I've always felt they hit that target already with Colossus.
Winter Soldier?
@@ZION73082 More like Commissar Russia. :P Commandant is French in origin.
Happy new year!!!!
Harpy new year too
Christ, apparently there was no LSD shortage in the USSR in the 80s.
I think there WAS a shortage, and these guys were responsible for it :-)
The banjo was invented by ancient Greeks. Then revived centuries later.
No, its just that USSR started to fail around this time. Tight government control weaken and some weirdos seen this time as opportunity to get "creative". And since "practical effects" always was rather weak in USSR directors compensated it by...artsy weirdness. And honestly, some of them is facepalm.
80s LSD was the worst
Actually, the drug LSD was illegal in the Soviet Union at the time. Though the government did not control storylines as much during this period of Glasnost and Perestroika, they continued to maintain tight controls over the sets, including matters having to do with workplace safety and budgets. Therefore, it is highly unlikely the cast or crew would have had access to, let alone used, illicit LSD during the making of this film.
They have that Russian Avenger movie called Guardians
Happy new year 🥳
And thank you for your videos they’ve gotten me through some rough times🏴
It's gonna be long, so before I begin I'd like to thank you, Brandon, for paying attention to something so obscure and yet so dear to the likes of me. Also, I'd like to disclaim that I am willing to post it after I watch the video, so I am excused to repeat something that's already been mentioned :)
So,
1. Argonavtebi sounds Georgian. IMDB might give you the Georgian title because to a large extent the film was made in the Georgian SSR.
2. Colchis - the place where the mythical fleece was - is the historical name of the seaside part of Georgia. Back in the 80s it was still a part of the Soviet Union.
3. Hence, the film begins with a Soviet archaeological dig.
4. The archaeological dig is made to look so frolic and jolly in the proud traditions of Soviet culture that had a tendency for promoting glorifying hard labor, especially in products for kids.
5. Just like the Soviet Hobbit (and like Tolkien's The Hobbit, actually), it was meant for kids. Hence the colourfulness and song and dance.
6. Because it was meant for kids, the relatively low production value can be justified with a supposed association with school plays. In other words, it could be a deliberate choice that could convey a message like "hey kids, look how nice and flashy it is, you can do something so awesome too, if only you put enough effort in it" - which returns us to the idea of glorifying hard labor.
7. Actually, it's like some archaeologists telling schoolkids about their job. And that's what these kids imagine as they listen to these archaeologists. Supposingly.
8. Someone might say that blackface in a Soviet property is passable because it was difficult to get a black actor if you wanted a black character, but I don't know about that. A lot of students from African countries studied in a lot of major cities of the USSR, so it shouldn't have been difficult to find a black person who could and wanted to act if necessary. But it could be that international students were not allowed to leave the campus without a special permission that was difficult to get. I imagine that someone drunk on site thought that making a blackface could be fun, and then a drunk editor decided to keep it in the final cut. There's no other reason I can think of. Actually, it's probably the case with most instances of blackface in Soviet cinematography.
9. At least some of the music sounds relatively faithful to the traditions of Greek and Georgian folk music.
Overall, I want to thank you for reminding me about this movie. When I grew up (90s), a lot of TV channels could not afford Western properties, so they either pirated them or stuck to the 'native products', so I saw this a lot. Also, Greek mythology to me is pretty much the same as dinosaurs for you, so I watched everything I could get my hands on. Of course, it stands no comparison to Harryhausen, but the comparison makes even less sense. It's like comparing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen done by Annie Lennox and the same song performed by your 12-year-old niece. Still cute, but you wouldn't think of comparing.
Also, I must thank you for your kindness. I'd imagine that if a film like this were made in your country, you'd be a lot less kind.
P.S. If you want to make other Soviet installments, you might take a look at Soviet animated Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. They are both short, but they still have some music. Also, there's arguably the only Soviet horror film called Viy, starring Natalya Varley (the Soviet Caroline Munro, also arguably).
It was the Georgian folk band Iveria show and it wasn't produced for kids, but for regular public
@@igorbu637 It must have been some elaborate plan to get even with the Georgians for Stalin lol
Hi! I'm the Patreon supporter who recommended the film. My girlfriend at the time was Russian and we are in our 40s. I described Brandon's channel to her and she felt she had the perfect movie for it. I'm glad it seemed to go well.
She did stress to me that she loved this movie, unironically, as a kid, while acknowledging the odd elements. Much of what you mention in your post reminds me of many of her comments.
There are several other properties that are Russian sci fi children's movies and TV shows that she introduced me to. The Lilac Ball live action comes to mind. Definately charming and meant for kids but doesn't always translate well.
One thing I disagree with about your comment is where you wrote that someone got drunk on set and found it funny to do blackface. The thing is that in the Soviet Union blackface wasn't seen as a big deal, because: a) it wasn't used as a mockery of black people, b) because Russia (and the other Soviet republics) did not have a history of black slavery, and also c) because it wasn't always used to depict a black person (it was also used to depict imps, or similar creatures).
The movie is done in the Brechtian style that was originally develped by Bertold Brecht for theatre productions aand among the few artistic styles favored by the Soviet government. There have been a number of movies attempting to adapt it to film, but most were unsuccesful imho bc it isn't really suited for the medium.
Brechtian theatre attempts to achieve the "V Effect" (from German Verfremdung = alienation) which means the audience should at all times be aware that they are watching a play (or in this case movie), the opposite of the immersion that is usually the goal of most media. The Russian Jason and the Argonauts is therefore basically the exact opposite of the Harryhausen version.
The intended result of that alienating the audience is that the message of the play/movie gets noticed and understood more easily that way. (And judging by the amount of people who are claiming that "Star Wars was never political", I guess there's some truth to the thought that a good message gets all too easily buried in an immersive product.)
Said alienation is achieved (among other things) by a) musical numbers, especially the kind of sudden and jarring ones modern musical theatre avoids (because they break immersion) b) sparse or surreal (often both) make up, costuming and set dressing c) exotic or historic settings juxtaposed with modern characters experiencing common problems.
The latter also explains the blackface . Having characters of a different nationality played by local actors is another way to break immersion that was utilized by Brecht, but it's the aspect that has aged worst.
Happy new day brandon,and thanks for the vid!
Thanks for the video Brandon! Happy new year!!!!
"Steven Spielbakov" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Does that mean we also have Russian E.T. and Russian Jaws? This was before Jurassic Park, after all.
Happy New Year, Brandon! Thanks for all the great content!
I don't know if you know Russian or watched with subs for reals but your line "and bang her he did" after what they said there in russian got such a genuine laugh 👍👍👍 Well done.
It kinda feels like they're trying to do some Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus Christ Superstar stuff with this one
More like _Life of Brian_ or _Men in Tights._
Brandon. Thanks for your entertaining reviews.
Not least because they've helped me in several sci-fi quizzes during 2020.
Here's hoping 2021 is equally as productive :-)
..."The way he's walking, I think he's going to ask me feeling fresh". 😂
No jokes about Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" video?
They were getting back at him for "Nikita".
Happy New Years :) thank you for making the first day 2021 even better!!!
this one felt just like an old episode. happy 2021.
The little kids' faces starting @ 5:09 pretty much sums up this whole movie.
Alright! 2021, the new decade!
Hopefully this year is a bit more better than the previous one...
6:59 Didn't expect to find that here, I'll say that much.
I got my Search for Darkness Part II the other day. It was cool to see you in it but REALLY cool to see you in the credits as a backer. Much respect ;)
Thanks Brandon. Another wonderful critique.
< me while watching this>
“I should hit up my acid guy”
Happy new year Brandon! I hope all is well in your world.
The Russians made they're own Jason and the Argonauts?
This is one hell of a way to start 2021.
Actual adaptation was made as cartoon short (ua-cam.com/video/2lwj-5zl_g0/v-deo.html), but it's not really Harryhausen-inspired.
Perfect, just in time for the release of Jason and the Argonauts on Netflix, at least in Canada.
Happy new year Bradon !
Et bonne santé depuis la France !
Hahaha that was awesome! Happy New Year Brandon
Another great video, as always.
Am I the only one who does the Will Ferrell cow bell dance to the outro music?
You know for what it is worth, a buddy action movie with Zangief, and Crocodile Dundee would be kind of awesome.
Always love a new Brandon video. Sweet!
Happy new year Brandon!
Brazilian here. Love the Portuguese subtitles for the Brazilian song 😂.
Whahoo! Thanks man!
Idk. I've been watching since Godzilla vs Monster Zero way back in the day. It's comforting to see you still here after all these years.
Been binging your stuff lately, I have it playing in the background while working around the house. Thanks for the great content.
A couple recommendations, the sci-fi monster gladiator movie "Arena" and the ultra-low budget surreal kinda racist musical with a topless princess and Danny Elfman as the Devil "Forbidden Zone".
My first WTF of the year.
Happy New Year dude.
First scene with the Australian guy, he’s holding a sheep. Which does raise the question, who’s that jolly jumbuck he’s got in his tucker bag, and should he go waltzing Matilda with anyone?
I think the Russian producers weren't interested in Jason and the Argonauts as much they were in ripping off Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" video
You knew exactly what you were doing when you sampled Light My Fire in the piano scene.
This is right up in my wheelhouse. I’m going to have to find this one
Happy New Year! 🎉🥂
The title "Argonavtebi" is in Georgian, since it's a Georgian Soviet movie, I presume
Hey Brandon, Happy New Year!! Saw the thumbnail, and went WTF?
What...the...F *ck..🤷🏽 but that song playing with your opening title card is kinda catchy🤣
You did do the Jack the Giant Killer!
Well... wasn’t expecting that when I woke up today.
Russian here, and I never even knew this movie existed.... OMG its hilariously bad! Yeah... we really, REALLY loved musicals in the 80s. And yeah... those subtitles are WRONG, they are just making up shit, they don't translate.
Also, actual title of the movie (at least on the cover) is "Fun Chronicles of Dangerous Voyage". I have no Idea who set its IMDB page as whatever the hell "Argonautebi", sounds like a nonsense word you get after adding a random post-fix to Argonaut.
You do know that Brandon makes up subtitles.
In Europe, they are very different and open about nudity and sex on what we consider "Local Channels". Hell, there was a German commercial for Orange Juice with 2 women making out first, naked and no censure bars or blurring, then after they finished, opened the refrigerator and started poring 2 glasses of OJ to drink. The OJ banner graphic then populated the screen and a narrator saying something in German.
Thank you for getting 2021 off on a positive and hilarious way.
Happy new year
I kinda wish they had a 70 minute RUssian musical starring Captain Canuk for Brandon to review other than the animated minisodes.
2:46 Please do, because that combination of words is VERY confusing, yet intriguing.
6:20 NOTHING can top that pianofight! Daffy v. Donald: Duel of the Ducks!
12:07 Somebody want to tell Brandon about that Russian Avengers knock-off from a few years ago? The one with the man-bear wielding a Vulcan cannon?
Oh, and Happy New Year, all!
This movie: More like Dolan vs. Dafty (no Gooby on sight)
Brandon's expression on the title card, lol.
I hate it... It's like he's gone anime.
"You used to be cool when you looked more like western animation, man!"
@@Targisvear "[I] used to be cool..." seems appropriate, all I'm saying is you put some dark lines/shadowing and he's like an anime character. It's fine, if [the style] didn't contrast the rest of image.
@@pedrokatcradle I get what you mean, but I am more permissive with a title card that we will only see for seconds, that kind of cheaper anime thing is more a problem in a moving long episode or film where it outlasts its outcome fast.
@@Targisvear And that's fine but I can't be so [dis]missive. A painter wouldn't paint cudest art in/next to still life. That's what I see... the art doesn't have to mean anything or be see extensively to be viewed critically. This is my opinion: aesthetically it doesn't work... for me.
-The(title card) artist shows control and knowledge on how they want their story to flow: the eye follows the smiling skeleton, dancing with the man to Brandon's expression in the foreground. Given there are only three detailed characters. It's evident this is what he wants to relay to us. Maybe, if the Brandon character wasn't so prominent I think it could work. But as it stands the closer we have the character the easier it is to see a lack for more detail and that's working agaist them.
The Harpies were played by Divine - I almost died! LOL
I thought that said Russian Jason Goes to Hell for a minute.
Happy new year to you. :)
Happy new year I hope you have a good day and night too.
How do you stomach sitting through these films......?
You’re a strong strong man.
Anyone else miss the "Russian" on the video title and thought it was a review of Jason and the Argonauts... was disappointed, but still a good video!
You are very correct about the subtitles being off. The dude said no not yes.
Happy New Year Brandon, with a lot of movies for review and of course Godzilla ones!
Brandon's first video of 2021: Today we're gonna be looking at is a Russian Ripoff of Jason and the Argonauts
Me: Wait What!?