blondJasper After 30 years, this movie is obviously dated, but no more so than the much more numerous anti-Nazi propaganda films that are still seen today almost 70 years after Hitler's regime was wiped off the face of the Earth. When Gulag was made and first shown, there were, beyond any doubt, many thousands of prisoners in the USSR, large numbers of whom were arrested and imprisoned for their political or ideological opinions. Of course this was (and still is) the case in many other countries around the world, but when this movie was released, the USSR and its East European satellite states were the enemies of the USA and its allies, and however many clichés and inaccuracies the film contains, it was an entertaining and long-overdue look at one of the most unpleasant regimes of the 20th century, and a warning to all of us on both sides of the former Iron Curtain that we must ensure that Soviet Communism stays in the garbage can of history where it belongs.

Col_Hessler Did you notice that the guards, or some of them, were paratroopers? They had the sky blue shoulder boards and berets. That's not right. People in the Gulag, or whatever it's called now, would be guarded by the Ministry of the Interior troops. They are called Vnutrennie Voiska, or Interior Army. Their shoulder boards are a dark red. They also don't wear berets. Paratroopers, in that time, would probably all have been in Afghanistan. For me, otherwise, this was enjoyable, in that I was a teenager during the 1980s Cold War, and as with any teenager, I wanted to kick butt. Plus, I've always liked Malcolm McDowell, and I liked him in this.

mrskywalker Those who say that this film is a cliche are not facing reality. I remember when some people were calling terrorists a silly cliche until 2 flew into the trade towers. Tyrants do and have always existed which may be a bit much for some sheltered mall crazy Americans to accept.In fact there has been much about Soviet activities that has remained not really revealed and most films about it have vanished. Even Second World War involvement by the Soviets both positive and negative is rarely mentioned. This film shows an interesting view of the rarely mentioned soviet system of prisons called Gulags in which millions had vanished with almost no photos or films of.

adelka_soba Having watched the very first scene (where Russians were singing "Kalinka" and dancing at the bar), I felt sick. I immediately thought, "Oh, one more idiotic film by ignorant ones who know nothing about Russia but any stupid cliches". Some scenes are indeed idiotic. Honestly, I laughed at them alot (for example, the episode where the main character, Mike, was taken to the jail full of water). However, there are some of quite good episodes. In fact, many scenes in a camp ( in 80s those camps weren't called Gulag, btw. Gulag existed in Stalinistic period before early 50s) are reliable.I guess, this film was made with very clear intention. Typical anti-Soviet propaganda. If you want to get knowledges about Russia (or Soviet Union of that time), don't see this film. There are many stupidities in this film.The best thing about this film is that all the actors played guards were Russians as they have spoken Russian without terrible accent. Very rare (and pleasant) thing. As for the characters, the only attractive one was Jewish professor Matvei (David Suchet). He was played with great power.This characters imbodies this horror and sadness of being prisoner. The only character I will be keeping in mind for a long time after watching this film.