The White Sun of the Desert (1969)

There's something quietly comedic about the scenario in which returning soldier "Sukhov" (Anatoliy Kuznetsov) finds himself. He's determined just to get home to some peace and quiet with his wife - whom we see in the opening few scenes - and settle down. Sadly for him, fate has other plans as he rescues "Sayid" (Spartak Mishulin) buried up to his neck in the sand and is soon embroiled in that's mans search for revenge as well as a battle between the pursuing Soviet army and a local freedom fighter called "Abdullah" (Kakhi Kavsadze). It's not so much the battle that he needs to fight that preoccupies our hero, but the latter man's harem of nine concubines whom he has abandoned in his flight, and whom "Sukhov" must keep safe - or as safe as he can! Meantime, these ladies assume that he is their new "husband" and so whilst he only has his heart set on returning home, well maybe that's not going to be so simple after all. This is an enjoyably characterful drama with a solid effort from Kuznetsov leading an ensemble cast that combines some combat scenes with a tiny bit of romance and an all important machine gun. It's a bit like a Gunga Din of the East type affair that's quickly paced with plenty of action, mischief and duplicity. These are all flawed folks - there are few saints here, though the permanently sozzled "Vereshchagin" (Pavel Luspekayev) does have something of the genie about his abilities to appear just when necessary, as does the rescued "Sayid". The desert photography sets the scene nicely and the whole film neatly contrasts the honourable and the absurd of humanity. All it really needs is a bit of Ennio Morricone. Worth a watch.