User Reviews

Yevgenia Ginzburg was a literature Professor in the University of Kazan in the 1930's. In those days, Kazan, was a Russian province, under the control of Moscow, with Stalin at the peak of his power. Those days were among the darkest times in Russian history, days marked with persecution, treachery, executions, mass disappearances of anyone considered an enemy of the State or Stalin, whether real or invented. Those were the days when the infamous Russian Gulags were in full force, concentration camps set in the bitter Siberian landscape, marked with hardships, and the long, bitter, below 50+ Celsius winters. Those were the days when both men's and women's mettles were tested to the limit, where people showed either their better sides or their worst. The spirit and strength of survival was the constant companion of such then. This movie is based on Ms. Ginzburg's memoirs, "Gulag: Many Days, Many Lives", where she was banished for 12 years for allegedly participating in the Trotskyist terrorist counter-revolutionary group, a group accused of conspiring against the Russian state by plotting the defeat of the then U.S.S.R. by capitalist countries, and murder their communist leaders. Stalin's purges targeted all these, among others. The labor, suffering, solidarity, survival, of Ginzburg and her fellow inmates are vividly depicted in this biographical epic. You will see incomprehensible hatred among the prisoners of different backgrounds. You will see deep sacrifices people had to make to stay alive. You will see gang violence and rape, as women were forced to sell their bodies for a loaf of bread. You will see prisoners having to make good judgments as to whom to trust and whom not as a key to survival. You will see heroic actions taken by everyday people to protect each other from death from the elements or from being simply shot by the brutal guards. And you will see deep gratitude, simple happiness even if for just a moment, and motherly love. The ensuing love between the camp's doctor and Ginzburg was, I believe, a just reward for the immense trials these two had endured over the years. The ending, which I will not spoil for you, will leave your mind turning for a while, and then, wonder in amazement. Ms. Watson was at her best. All the parts were well done. Veteran actor Ian Hart as the infamous Beylin was excellent. That part when he yells at Ginzburg when she refused to sign her confession - even I was startled; it was well done. There was no attempt to dress up any parts or make them over emotional or sentimental. No, the story unfolds as it would in everyday life, in black and white, with no attempt to overdress anything. If any parts drive you to tears, it is from imagining how and what you would have done had you been there. I lived in Russia for 3 years, working as a University Professor. Much of what I saw in the movie triggered old memories. I found myself saying over and over, "Just as I saw it!" The intrigues surrounding your job and status in Russia is still accurate to this day, although the danger of imprisonment no longer exists. So, dear friends, if you wish to spend the better part of 2 hours watching a story which will keep you spellbound and mesmerized until the end, without a moment of boredom, this is the movie to watch, enjoy, and appreciate. A story of people having lost all will to live, and how with a little help and compassionate love, this will is renewed. This is the story of one woman whose strength and determination inspired others, as it still does today, as I hope will inspire you as well.

Great to find an unknown movie as good as this. Emily Watson rocks. Very important true story of oppression and gulag life in Stalin's Russia. There's a real shortage of honest movies about Russian "crimes against humanity" and this one helps correct that problem.

The origins of the film are very curious, however. It is listed as German/Belgian/Polish. But, the film is done with English actors, is spoken in English, and there is no effort from the actors to attempt a Russian accent in the English dialogue. It's pretty standard in English language films when set in continental Europe to make some effort at the accent of the country a movie is set in. Admittedly, people who really know Russian probably would find the effort irritating, but since most of us don't, the imitation sort of works.

Other than that, this is a "not to be missed movie" that no one ever saw. But, that happens a lot. Some of the best movies never get seen. Go, Batman!

This is an excellent historical drama based on the real memoirs of Evgenia Ginzburg. Her daughter was consulted, as well, and is mentioned in the credits. I appreciated the understated, non-sensationalist approach to the story and the script. They didn't have to sensationalize anything to make the story horrifying.

Emily Watson proves again that she is an outstanding actress - she does a great job in this movie - academy award material. The other actors are also fantastic in their roles.

It is a rare movie that depicts real-life events that most of us would rather not re-visit too often. But the lessons of this movie, and the lessons of history, are important, and this ugly part of history needs to be seen and acknowledged by as many people as possible, so we can prevent similar events from happening again.

Franz Kafka, in his novel "The Trial," predicted the murders soon to come that were motivated by political paranoia, power-mad dictators, and bigotry. The inevitable, tragic results of the abuse of power are depicted bluntly in this movie. As unpleasant as it is to witness the events shown, it is also inspiring to see the true -life strength of will and character that enabled Evgenia Ginzburg to survive the ordeals she was forced to endure. May her memory be an inspiration for us all. Highly recommended.

This is rather strange...how can it be possible: just one review!!! A great story about those who made it. Even so, it's still sad, very sad,in fact one of the saddest stories.

E. Watson gave a great performance(as usual), both the directing and script were excellent. If there will ever be a Russian version of this film, I would go and see it for sure. The story has some amazing emotion high picks, and I must say, after watching something like that, similar to other great dramas, you feel relieved and lucky to be living in another era with all it's awfulness. You should watch it...it could make you better.

Other than the fashion being way off from the start in 1934 especially in communist Russia , the clothes and hairstyles and shoes were of the American /western mid 1940s ,wide shoulder pads with big lapels ,jaunty hats and wartime rolled hairstyles with flowing locks.

Seldom in the history of cinema has a man or woman stepped before the cameras and stunned an audience senseless with a performance so powerful as that given by Ms. Emily Watson. The story is itself overwhelmingly moving and this is the only actor one can imagine taking on such a role and being more than equal to the challenge. Watson conveys the incredible suffering, resilience, and will to survive of the character she portrays with unflinching realism, heart, and soul. This is a characterization that will stay with those who view it forever. It is unfortunate this motion picture has not seen wide release and its fate is questionable because within it lives a towering performance by the finest artist of our time. Emily Watson will fill your eyes to tears, tear your emotions to shreds, and shatter your heart as she once again conquers the cinema screen as no one else can. It is an indescribably beautiful creative masterwork and anyone who sees it can not help be changed in a way that will renew their spirit of humanity for all time. It is difficult to remember any acting experience that has touched the audience so completely and so very deeply. Emily Watson once again achieves what no other actor is capable of, something almost mystical in nature, something beyond words, and impossible to describe for it is so spiritually astounding.

Really , I liked the film - especialy the nice camerawork. The story is what is could be and known fot this period in Russia. But Russion people speaking English ? I' can't stand it. It's unbelievable. Please do this never again for such kind of production. Realy a pitty.

It's only recently through films like Within the Whirlwind that I've come to understand how Stalin and Hitler were two sides of the same coin. While Hitler's torturous siege of Europe was destroying millions of lives, Stalin was doing the same in Russia and its soviet countries. Within the Whirlwind is a portrayal of one woman's experience of being scapegoated and punished for alleged "crimes" she didn't do. Watching the Russian party bosses attempt to destroy Genia Ginzburg's sanity and ultimately her life, one gains insight into what millions of Eastern Europeans and Russians, who weren't brought to German concentration camps, were stuck in the Russian equivalent. Ginzburg's story, which includes despair ultimately challenged by love, is compelling and uplifting. Emily Watson's portrayal of Ginsburg is brilliant. Overall, an important film to see.

I am somewhat of a student of the early history of Nazi and Soviet-Nazi terrors and abuses, and this is a reasonably accurate, well acted portrayal of a small aspect of that. The problem with this as a movie - is that there are no real heroes here. Nobody one would really root for. Evgenia Ginzburg was as much of a tyrannical thug as her captors - a group of people holding the "party line" - party insiders - who underpinned a ludicrous utopian philosophy that led to the death of millions. Through some infighting between communist factions, some met with the same fate as the millions of non-members they impoverished - not only in the USSR but in many other places besides. It was, for me, a bit like watching a documentary about infighting between Hitler and some rare Nazi opponents who attempted to undermine him - both sides leaving an equally bad taste in the mouth.

It feels like a tv-movie made on the fly - and deservable not reaching a wide audience.

The story is ... well, predicable. What ever you think will happen, happens.

It's also very hard to look upon the main character as some sort of hero. She was after all a party member, true to the horrendous regime of Stalin. But, like many others in those days, she was purged by the dictator.

She wasn't some freedom fighter - and that makes it hard to really care about her.

But even looking past that, the movie is just not extraordinary - in any way, shape or form.

Only the performance of Emily Watson rescues the movie from being a complete dud.

It feels like a tv-movie made on the fly - deservable not reaching a wide audience.

Don't pay any attention the the reviewers here, that give it a perfect ten. They can really only be family members and friends of the director.

The story is ... well, predicable to a fault. What ever you think will happen, happens.

It's also very hard to look upon the main character as some sort of wronged hero. She was after all a proud party member, true to the horrendous regime of Stalin. But, like many others in those days, she was purged by the dictator.

She wasn't some freedom fighter - and that makes it hard to really care about her.

But even looking past that, the movie is just not extraordinary in any way, shape or form.

Not even close.

This movie enthralled me from the beginning. The acting, across the board, is top- notch. Look for Ian Hart as a very different character than he played in the first Harry Potter movie (Professor Quirrell). I can't say enough about the lead characters. If you like learning about history, even the ugly parts, then see this movie. By the way, it is in English.

For anyone interested in Communist Russia / Solzhenitsyn's literature, a must-see. Gripping, depressing, passionate, and intense.

Emily Watson is arguably the finest actor of our time, male or female. Regarding this film, there is certainly no possible debate. Watson is nothing less than magnificent. In a breathtaking performance of incredible magnitude, she sets the screen ablaze with her stunning talent. A fantastically gifted actor, Emily Watson can express more emotion with her eyes or a glance than even 50 pages of dialog. She takes the character she portrays in this film and creates a living, flesh and blood human being we can not help but embrace. It is an emotional tour de force and a performance of stunning power and depth. While Watson always does exemplary work in every production, this particular role is a masterpiece. That this motion picture was not widely released and did not have the impact it should have upon the public is an outrage. That Emily Watson received no Oscar or BAFTA nomination a crime.

The cinematography, costumes, locations, props, etc of this movie are truly excellent. It's a joy to watch, and Emily Watson's capabilities make the journey even easier. To be honest, on that basis, with a competent script, it's pretty hard to rate this movie below an 8. However, there are many other movies now that cover the same sort of themes and historical period that are beyond excellent. Way back when I was a boy I saw Alan Bates in the 1968 biopic The Fixer. That gave the audience some real punches to the gut. The Way Back (2010) had a real sense of gravity. In Transit (2008) had gravity and punches to the gut, not to mention the terrors of Shindler's List. What I'm trying to say here is that Within The Whirlwind is more of a weak slap and though it has gravity, of course it does, especially the well-presented early part that chronicles the process of Stalin's Purge, the gravity is more or less routine. You see it coming. I think the title here is misleading, a mistake. I realise, having seen the movie, it's about love within a terrible and unjust penal system, but, to me, it sort of conjures up the wickedness and extremes of Siberia. So where are the raging storms? The unrelenting rain? The animal brutality of the guards? As an educational film for high school children, Whirlwind is (probably) a safe bet. But as a piece of theatre that will truly shock sympathies out of an audience, well, I'd have liked to have seen the film-makers aim a little higher.

Emily Watson delivers an incredibly strong performance as Genia. Set in the mid-30's USSR, just as Stalin's paranoia begins to terrorize a nation. Professor Eugenia Ginsburg has everything - Prestigious teaching post, connected husband, great kids & elite Party Membership. But unexpectedly, everything good goes bad and she finds herself on the wrong side of Marx. . In the ensuing nightmare, Genia's strength & integrity sustain her & those around her to survive unspeakable cruelty & savagery. Great story, great script & great romance. Best movie I've seen in quite a while (even though it's 10+ years old)