by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Three directors collaborated on the Soviet filmed biography Skanderberg. Akaki Khrava stars as the title character (aka Georgi Kastriot), a legendary Albanian patriot. The film re-creates Skanderberg's revolt against Albania's Turkish oppressors, in lavishly produced scenes filmed in the Sovcolor process. These scenes have a near-documentary feel to them, adding credibility to a story that may seem exaggerated to Western eyes. The action sequences are more credible than the dialogue passages, though the performances of the actors can't be faulted. Skanderberg was the winner of a grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
