good back-story, and good acting

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

A Masterpiece!

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

2 hours just to estimate in which direction contemporary world is moving, by leaving Christian values. Great idea, the events are real, this from the real biography of Saint Alexis, somebody writes here, that the Horde is demonstrated too dark, but all Russian and Ukrainian people know the price, this happened, western people were saved from Horde by Russia, that's why they can write such easy comments. We have a lot of historical documents - how this historical period looked. We have to learn such lessons and save our Christian culture. Many thanks to director and his team! Great dresses, colorers, music. I wish they will make one more film about ancient period in Russian history as Bogatyri.

I give one snot to the reviewer here who claims to be a history buff. You really need to spend more time reading. I indeed found this to be a true depiction of the declining life of the Tatars (a.k.a. Golden Horde). They had already climaxed as a civilization and were just a short time from total defeat by the Russians. Thank goodness for that! What a perfect time to tell the story of a priest and his journey of faith. I found the writing of this screenplay to be amazing in its depth and the film itself visually striking. One of the best films I have ever seen out of Russia. A big hit at the Moscow film festival, you just cannot stop watching.

We don't need silly superhero, fantasy or alien monster movies when close examination and depiction of history is all that's needed. Indeed there are plenty of thrilling tales of yesteryear found in all parts of the world that make far better stories than magic rings, space travel and kryptonite. I'll take Saint Alexius over Wolverine any day. And, by golly, you may learn something too! I know that I'd take my chances with a host of Hollywood demons before attempting to cut a deal with the the Mongolians who comprise the Horde. But I'm clowning around too much. This is just a well shot, paced, acted and directed film. Especially remarkable about THE HORDE is the ambiguous treatment given Saint Alexius' "miracle"; i.e., maybe it's the strength of belief and maybe it's just dumb luck. Honorable mention must also be awarded the English translation - no small feat given the potential pitfalls. My recommendation: THE HORDE is an under-rated gem. Bonus recommendation: If reincarnated avoid at all costs Eastern Europe circa 14th century.

Are you sure you are well enough informed about all "historical value"? have you any idea about mongol-tatar yoke over Russia (more than 200 years)? So what exactly attitude you expect, when describing this particular period? Well, maybe Mongolian version is better and more different, it is... well understandable. But it's Russian history and Russian film. There are so much historical sources about how Russian were killed in a most cruel ways, thousands of them, families and towns. There was almost no life at all, how you expect all this feelings in every soul - fear and anger - to be shown? And yes, it the almost beginning of Christianity in Russia, with all passion and exaggеration, but also with all self-sаcrifice, specific for the period. So for me portraits of Mongolians are interesting and even soft... Or you expect always Russians to be bad, no matter who is opposite, Goebbels or Mongolians of the Horde, or etc. Time was full of cruelty, hatred, collision... and it is shown. I don't say the film is brilliant. But it is easy to fill your review with "interesting" phrases like "paranoid, hyper racist anti Asian propaganda", "KGB/orthodox church sponsored rubbish", "Goebbels anti Jews propaganda"... They are attractive and welcome for haters. But understanding is something different.