Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5867 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-05-19
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 124 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Martin Cruz Smith's bestselling mystery novel seemed ideal material for a movie version, but in Gorky Park director Michael Apted and the usually reliable writer Dennis Potter couldn't quite solve the problem of taking the story from page to screen. William Hurt plays Renko, a Cold War-era Moscow police detective who must cope with both crooks and Communist party protocol as he tries to solve a murder case in the middle of one of Moscow's public parks that leaves three faceless corpses. The strands of the mystery involve corruption, American money and the fur trade and, ultimately, take Renko to New York. But the tension is never all there, despite a deliciously menacing performance by Lee Marvin as the bad guy and Brian Dennehy as an American cop who becomes Renko's ally. --Marshall Fine

Special Features

• Original theatrical trailer
  
• Interactive menu screens and chapter selections

Synopsis
When three faceless corpses are discovered in Moscow's Gorky Park, the Moscow militia's top investigator, Arkady Renko (William Hurt), is assigned to the case. An honest Soviet official, Renko uncovers a murky and dangerous plot involving sinister KGB agents, the corrupt Soviet government, and a powerful American businessman. Although many of the Russians in the film speak with an English accent (all the dialogue is in English), GORKY PARK proves to be a provocative, fast-paced thriller that captures all of the intrigue and suspense in Martin Cruz Smith's best-selling novel of the same name. Director Michael Apted handled the thriller genre before in SQUEEZE and AGATHA, and the experience shows in GORKY PARK; there are so many twists and turns in the plot, viewers are constantly kept off balance. A supporting cast of Lee Marvin, Brian Dennehy, and Joanna Pacula (in her first starring role) back up Hurt with solid performances.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating, bittersweet, effective
It's winter and three corpses are found in Moscow's Gorky Park. They've had their faces and finger tips carved off. Arkady Renko, an honest, slightly obsessive Russian cop, is assigned to the case. He sets out to identify the bodies by reconstructing their faces, and as he gets closer he finds obstructions in his path. He finds a girl (Joanna Pacula) who was friends of the trio, a wealthy and ruthless American (Lee Marvin), an American cop (Brian Dennehy) out for blood, and more than he probably wants to know about sable coats and the animals they're made from. It becomes clear that corrupt higher-ups are involved in something with greater stakes than solving a triple murder. Hurt and Marvin do great jobs and are well matched.

This is a tight, very well constructed police procedural that is a little exotic, with the cops and functionaries being Russians. It's also a bit gloomy with a bittersweet ending, but it still works as a very watchable film. A lot of the outdoor shots were filmed in Helsinki, and the movie takes place in the winter. The atmosphere looks cold and oppressive. The contrast is striking with the scenes set in a pre-revolutionary bath and an expensive restaurant, both reserved for the use of privileged Soviet officials.

The book, by Martin Cruz Smith, is even better. Apted also directed Enigma, and I like both movies a lot.

Interesting story and a good cast
Watching this film is almost like watching a Russian version of Taggart. Gorky Park is essentially a thriller with a sizeable body count. Based in Moscow during the Cold War, the story is about the discovery of a few mutilated bodies and Arkady Renko's subsequent task of piecing together the grisly case. A subplot of corruption at the highest levels of the Soviet authorities is also a recurring theme.

There's an interesting cast here (including Lee Marvin and, believe it or not, Alexai Sale).

This was one of my favourite films from the 80's. It's a bit offbeat and I even learned what a sable was (to be honest I'd never heard of them).

P.S. Don't be fooled by the title - some of this movie was actually filmed in Glasgow!

Atmospheric
I loved this film. As previous reviews have said, it plods, but I feel it helps to create atmosphere. William Hurt is outstanding as Renko, a new type of hero, whose hands are tied by protocol and who is constantly at risk of stepping on the toes of the KGB. The film led me first to the audio book, which was excellent, and then to the novel itself. I have become a fan of Renko.
Reminding me of "The Odessa File", another favourite of mine, I have watched this film many times and am neither bored or disappointed.
Worthy of two hours duration, one and half would be too rushed.
Highly recommended.