Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

MartinHafer This is a film about Estonian independence that occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s--as the Communist Bloc began to fall apart. It's actually odd that very few films about this period are ever seen in the US--especially considering this meant an end to the very long and tense Cold War.The film begins with a history of Estonia in the 20th century. After gaining its independence following WWI, the country was at peace--that is until the evil pact between the USSR and Nazi Germany. This agreement allowed Stalin to invade and a period of very intense persecutions began. Deportations to Siberia and mass occurred to break the back of the country. Then, two years later, Germans invaded and occupied this tiny country. And, towards the end of the war, the Soviets returned and very harsh repression returned. For the next 45 years or so, the nation would have all symbols of nationalism removed and a strong move to turn the citizens into Soviet citizens began. Despite this, there was a very, very small and quiet sense that Estonia would one day rise again. With a slight easing of free speech rights during the rule of Gorbachev, these hidden desires began to slowly be expressed. Much of the film consists of showing the steps that occurred with these first murmurs for freedom to the actual declaration of independence.So how did singing come into all this? Well, at times the link was rather tenuous in the film. It seems that the earliest forms of protest (even before Gorbachev) was in the nation's singing festivals--and there the people sang nationalistic songs which had been forbidden. And, on one occasion, one out of every three Estonians appeared at the festival to sing--something that is pretty hard to comprehend when you think about it.All in all, a very inspiring documentary about freedom and bravery. Considering that a huge percentage of the nation had been murdered or deported during the Soviet era (about 1/3 of the nation), the fact that they stood up for freedom is all the more impressive.The film is super-inspiring. It was narrated by Linda Hunt, but mostly is consists of Estonians talking on camera about the singing revolution--and this is most fitting. Additionally, archival footage and footage of Estonia today is used to tell this very touching story. The most important part, however, is at the very end--when a brief biographical statement is given for those who participated in the film--and their sacrifices.

Tom H. Richardson Between Nazi occupation and decades of Soviet occupation, the Estonians had no weapons with which to resist the Soviet Army. Yet they didn't quit.Two incidents from the movie got me very emotional-- The first was when a crowd from the Russian ethnic minority (who acted like aristocrats within Soviet Estonia and the Estonians should kiss their necks) stormed a government building. This Russian mob was intent on going in and grabbing the leaders of the Estonia-Independence movement. Then an Estonian man got on the radio, throngs of Estonians came, and suddenly the Russians found themselves completely surrounded. Both sides were expecting fighting to break out, and both sides knew that the Soviet Army would use this as an excuse to attack Estonians. But then the Estonian crowd pulled apart, forming a road, and the Russians were able to leave unmolested.The second incident that moved me deeply was when Soviet troops moved into Estonia, and they were trying to attack a TV tower. Estonians showed up, linking arms, and faced the Russian tanks. The Estonians knew that if the tanks rolled, or the Russians' machine guns fired, that they would die painfully -- and yet they filled up the road to the TV tower, and stared into the faces of the Russian tankmen. That is BRAVE.This is a feel-good movie, and it's all 100 percent true. See it, and tell your friends to rent it.

rvenezia I rented this documentary from Netflix not expecting a whole lot, but I was so wrong and it was so well done and deserved more recognition and praise. This movie is a very moving documentary that shows how little Estonia defied the Soviet Union by singing. The Singing Revolution tells the true story how Estonia through song got their independence from the Soviet Union.Now the questions must be asked how is this possible, how can singing change the world, well Estonia can show you how. Using music and interviews this documentary is a good view from anyone who loves a good and inspiring story.

Ruby Liang (ruby_fff) THE SINGING REVOLUTION has the tag line: "A single nation. A million voices. The fall of an empire." Yes, it is a historical and real life story of the Estonians, having been under the oppression of Soviet occupation since WWII, tenaciously hanging on to their hopes and dreams of one day being an independent nation on their own again with no more foreign control. In 1991, Estonia finally gained their freedom. We are privileged to witness the Estonians' amazing historical journey that filmmakers James and Maureen Castle Tusty so thoughtfully compiled and graciously shared with us. Many hours of detailed research and interviews with a lot of Estonians involved in revealing their personal stories. The documentary is a 'must-see', including the bonus 'backstory' about how this film came to be from the viewpoint of the filmmakers. Narrator is Linda Hunt ("The Year of Living Dangerously" 1982, with Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver). Historical truth: Chapter 2 (at 1947's song festival under Soviet rule): We see a sea of faces, mouths opened wide, singing together: "Land of my fathers! Land that I love!" Venno Laul, a conductor, talked about the music event: "(but) it was, and still is, primarily an opportunity to experience that we are Estonians. We have a strong culture. We are one nation. We are so few in number that we must emphasize that we exist."Unity in singing: Chapter 3 and Chapter 6 (the 1969's 100 anniversary of the Estonian tradition of song festivals, and repeated at the summer of 1988 at Tallinn's song festival event, still under the eyes of the Soviets): People with hands holding hands straight up in the air, swaying with the singing of the (1947) 'national Estonian anthem': "Estonian I am, and Estonian I will be, as I was meant to be." "Estonian is a proud and good thing to be. Just like my great grandfathers - free." Heinz Valk, an artist, recounting the late '80s: "I was so inspired by those nights… Until now, revolutions have been filled with destruction, burning, killing, and hate, but we started our revolution with a smile and a song. Each person could go to work the next day knowing that the Estonian spirit survives" "…the main purpose of which really was to come together as a nation, and sing this one forbidden song."Hopes and Dreams: We are taken through 'perestroika' period; the 'first' speaking out demonstration at Hirve Park; the establishment of The Heritage Society in 1987 and subsequent organized demonstrations. The gradual soaring of Estonian spirits we continue to feel for, through black and white archive footage as well as present day Estonian events in color, as they persistently discovered the fuel for change: "being together, singing together is their power."You need not worry about the amount of talking heads / interviews on screen - the well-paced 96-minute documentary film is not at all stuffy with historical discussions - yes, devastating and touching accounts we will see and hear, like the Siberian camps (Gulag), Forrest Brothers resistance defiance, yet we actually get to hear millions singing melodic songs in Estonian, with live archive footage of people/women in their Estonian national costumes, younger sets in rock and roll gears, citizens in everyday clothing, all coming together in unison singing together with immeasurable hope and strength year after year. I noticed a brief inclusion (towards the end of chapter 3: Post WWII 1945-1969) of school boys in a hall singing / practicing a song (in Estonian) a rather familiar tune, with teacher (in jeans) on stage snapping his fingers and swaying in rhythm (I did, too - humming along that catchy tune and realized moments later with a smile that it's a Cliff Richard hit in the sixties, "Lucky Lips"!) I appreciate the ending credit roll that included pictures of key persons with brief captions about each, while the Estonians' voices swelling in the background, and we are so happy for the independent nation of Estonia. See this film and visit its official Web site for more at 'singingrevolution.com'.