The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming

One of the nuttiest Cold War comedies of the 1960s, Norman Jewison's box-office hit "The Russians Are Coming" has a broad, frantic quality that will resonate with kids, past and present. Oscar nominee Alan Arkin stands out as the desperate Russian commander trying to avoid an international incident, and Jonathan Winters is a howl as an unhinged deputy sheriff mobilizing the nearby village. Note: a short advance briefing on the dynamics of the Cold War will likely increase your kids' enjoyment of this movie.

There are a couple of movie moments that will stick in my mind forever.

One is Donald Sutherland in "Kelly's Heroes", unbuttoning his pistol like a gunfighter - in the face of a German Tiger tank. Another is Brian Keith telling the Russian submarine captain that he's under arrest, towards the end of "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming".

I think this must be the movie where Alan Arkin perfected his actor persona that I call "the long-suffering, put-upon, reasonable guy in difficult circumstances who just wants everything to work out ok". He reprised this role in "Catch 22".

This is a fun movie that does a lot to put a funny human face on the cold war.

For those that experienced the cold war this is an exceptional movie. For those who only read about it the movie is merely great. It's nearly impossible to fault anything in here. It has a terrific collection of actors, the story is compelling, the whole family can watch and enjoy it. It's message is right on target and eternal. Winter's comment (not sure I can quote it) is so appropriate: "Why can't we all just get along?" There are just a few movies that I can watch over and over again and still enjoy; this is one of them.

I thought this was a great movie without the main characters taking off all their clothes and the stupid sex scenes or rap and hip-hop music we seem to have to make something a hit. Yeah, it's a dated movie but great entertainment.

A very funny movie that is still funny years later.