Very well executed

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

My wife and I saw this at the Toronto Film Festival debut, as a walk-in, knowing nothing about it.The film deserves wider viewer-ship in North America, for the many reasons given by other reviewers.The only novel comment I can make is that this is a propaganda film, in the very best sense. 'Propaganda' usually brings to mind more or less crude attempts from totalitarian regimes to manipulate (or ignore) facts in the service of a political agenda. We can (if we wish) admire 'Triumph of the Will' as a masterpiece of effective propaganda: do your feet begin to tap when they sing the Anthem of Nazi Youth? We can also admire 'Guadalcanal Diary' as wartime propaganda that presents the Marine Corps in an ideal light, while for reasons of wartime security the lost Battle of Savo Island is ignored.'Names in Marble' like the Polish 'Katyn' is in contrast an effort to present historical truth effectively to a new generation that may have forgotten it, if indeed they ever knew it. One of the lingering effects of the 'former Soviet Union' is the re-writing of central and eastern European popular history, to turn nationalist patriots into enemies of the state. (One of the most popular Polish TV series of the 60s presents a Polish tank unit fighting alongside their Soviet brothers, an utter non-event but very useful to the regime).See the movie.

To rate this movie fairly, you have to know near non-existing Estonian cinematography and how underfunded it is.This particular movie, built up to pure shock value, accomplishes its mission extremely well. There's no clear story, time-line or explanation to most of things - and that's what the Civil war was - big confusion, fear and terror. The actors, young as they are, play very well, they act just like they're supposed to act - pure, childish and confused. I think that older, professional actors wouldn't portray those characters that well.Don't expect anything Western here, it's a movie about particular thing and stays in its frames. All Nüganen's attempts to incorporate something Hollywoodish fail miserably here and that's probably only bad thing about this movie - the fact that he sometimes tried.For an Estonian or maybe even Scandinavian, it's a must-see. For others, clear your mind and open yourself to something different, or you'll be disappointed.

The record-making, dazzling and thrilling Estonian blockbuster `Names in Marble' has brought nearly 150,000 people all over the country out of their comfortable homes to see something that takes your breath away.The story evolves around a group of young schoolboys who decide to alter the course of history once and for all - to fight against the Soviet army and for the freedom of the new Republic of Estonia.`Names in Marble' opens a doorway to a new dimension of Estonian cinema. Directed by Elmo Nüganen who is famous for his interpretation of many classical plays in several theatres in Estonia, the movie has a unique sense of closeness and significance that is not common for other Estonian movies. Nüganen adds another flavour to the picture by hiring the well-known Russian cameraman Sergei Astakhov to record the key scenes and arrange the almost perfect cinematography of the movie.Another astonishment that the moviegoers might experience is the great work of some young and promising Estonian actors. The sincerity and clarity of the leading role, played by Priit Võigemast represents the possibilities and potential of Estonian cinema in reaching an international level. It is unfortunate that the best yet Estonian movie has absolutely has no chance of getting a nomination for the `Best foreign film' Academy award - it lacks a certain multi-cultural perspective.In the end it brought tears to the eyes, it did matter and it made us sit in the theatre until all the credits were shown and lights came on, reminding us how important it is to be who we are.

This is the best movie I have ever seen. It's full of action and romance. It's not a bloody war movie, it has got style. The best character is Alo Kõrve's Käsper, because he's the bravest. Actually, there isn't a bad character/actor/actress in this movie. They all have their little stories that doesn't always end happily. If you are tired of all those Hollywood horrible war movies, watch this one and you will see that there are good war movies.10 out of 10 points.