The Saratov Approach

Spoilers: I wouldn't rip it for having religious themes because it seemed both organic and authentic, if a bit overly earnest, but that, too, is reflective of this culture, where young people venture out to the "missions," to spread their word. People live this way. As for a story narrative, it did drag, and this is a "based on" story, so we don't know how much is true, how much is embellished. Russian criminals don't seem to be all that willing to change, as I think of Putin, the war criminal of our time. But I suppose a replica tattoo could push one over the line if he is close to relenting on killing the pair anyway. The family decided not to pay the ransom dough in order to protect others, and the pair decided not to bash the captor and to die to keep others from facing the same thing, which were heroic decisions. The main characters sold the roles pretty well. Their continuation of the mission afterward reminded me of something I saw from a Ukrainian soldier who was asked if he is afraid of dying. He said, "I die, you die, we all die, it's not so important when we die, it's important what you are doing when you die."

A great movie showing a very unique experience of two missionaries that get kidnapped. Spiritually enlightening.

Best movie ever!! Scary, intense, and you can feel the spirit. I can’t believe what happened to these lds missionaries!

https://sites.google.com/view/ttbreviews/our-company/the-saratov-approach

Suspencful, heart wrenching and highly entertaining.

Are you guys serious? This is a mormon propaganda movie. There's a lot that does not stack up here and the movie clearly was not shot in Russia. There was a witness to their first encounter with Nikolaj; a priest was watching them as they walked towards the apartment 105; they got directions from another guy. Russian police are not dumb. They can follow leads. Furthermore, if you add up all the probabilities, they were unlikely to be shot, even when the kidnappers realized that they were not going to get paid. 4 years for kidnapping is a lot better than life for murder. Could have been a good movie but they had to make out this was "God's plan". The only convincing aspect of the movie was the anguish of the parents and the communal prayer that crossed denominations. Finally, when is Hollywood going to stop using the "backwards R" in the Russian alphabet which actually makes the sound "ya"?

Might have a bit too much of a religious slant for some folks, but I still found the true life story of Mormon Missionaries kidnapped in Russia to be compelling, thrilling and touching.

Amazing. Made me cry a few times.

Easily one of the most powerful Latter-day-Saint-produced dramas to date! Scary, intimate, and well-directed.

A good film apart from the irritating religious preaching goody goody undertones of the story.