Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

A lot of fun.

It is not only a funny movie, but it allows a great amount of joy for anyone who watches it.

Pavel Chukhrai does not belong to any list of "Notable" film directors of Russia,nonetheless he has shown some amount of flair through his meek direction and screenplay in drama"vor" a.k.a."The Thief".The movie is centered upon three characters- a widowed woman, with her little child who envisages his father every now and then and a charming but rakish officer to whom material gain matters most.Like some other hailed Russian movies it deals with grim picture of reality with no magical finishing touch.It certainly won't make you cheer or applaud but will move you a bit that's for sure.Both acting and cinematography has been brilliant,Though editing and sound mixing could have been better. Acting of Misha Philipchuk as 6 year old sanya is priceless. Flying colors of European cinemas with highest possible proximity to realness are depicted through the wonderfully done cinematography. Watch it,it won't cost you much !

It's one of the best films I've ever watched. I think that in a heavy storm with Hollywood-made films coming from all directions (distributed in all channels), films like "Vor" is worth while to note and to recommend. Little budget, but great creativity and fun. The little Sanya is very talented in acting. I wonder where he is right now and what he is up to. I believe that all went well with this film... The plot is excellent... The cast is well chosen... The sense is fully there... I think the success of such films provide hope for other "low-budget" film makers. I believe in the power and taste of cinema, but I believe more in the social/cultural European filming. I wonder how this new globalization will affect the film industry in the years to come!!??

Pavel Chukhraj's award winning film THE THIEF is one of those special films that should be owned and revisited - like a favorite novel or poem or symphony. Chukhraj both wrote and directed this tale/fable set in Stalinist Russia, a story which encompasses the impact on a child of loss of a father in the war, the appalling living standards in the communes during the 1950s where multiple families and comrades shared space and survived the lack of privacy, and the extents to which people will go to survive what fate has dealt them and the sad sequelae that follow.The story opens on the cold steppes of Russia where Katya (Yekaterina Rednikova) gives birth to a son Sanya (Misha Philipchuk) in the mud of a country in disrepair in 1946. Narrated by the adult Sanya we next see Katya and Sanya on board a train where they encounter a handsome soldier Tolyan (Vladimir Mashkov), a seemingly gentle man who immediately bonds with the two 'refugees'. The remainder of the story deals with the fact that Tolyan is a thief and causes disruptive moves of his 'family' as he plunges them deeper into the hole of his crimes. At times he is harsh with Sanja, at time he is protective and instructive as a surrogate father, teaching Sanya the cruel rules of survival. He is finally imprisoned, Katya dies from an infection following an abortion, and Sanya grows into his teen years in orphanages, dreaming of his real father, wondering about Tolyan. They two make a final surprise encounter that leads to the ending of the story.The actors are exceptional, the supporting cast is particularly fine, and the cinematography and set designs are something beyond description. The eyes of Sanya (those of Misha Philipchuk) will haunt you and beckon return to this most impressive and touching film. Highly recommended. Grady Harp

I finally saw this movie, and I am glad that I did. The storyline has been described by many already, so I won't go into it. It held my attention from beginning to end. I loved the landscapes of the old USSR. The life depicted in this movie seems very realistic, and the acting is SUPERB by all three main characters- Sania, Katia, and Tolian. They are very natural, not acting at all. The suffering is heart wrenching and seems almost unavoidable. What would a single mother do to raise her son in the 1950's in Stalinist USSR? She takes the opportunity, regrets it after a while but cannot really break through. Ekaterina displays the mixed emotions beautifully without going over the top. Same with Vladimir who plays the soldier aka Thief. However, the most amazing performance is given by Misha, the little boy who plays little Sania, for 90% of the movie. His piercing blue eyes, his happy smile and his tears stole my heart.A must see if you want to see a movie that touches your soul.