"Brigada" (2002) TV series

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Director:

Aleksei Sidorov

Writers:

Igor Porublyov (writer)
Aleksei Sidorov (writer)

Release Date:

23 September 2002 (Russia)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

We are together since the first form, and for everything we do, we take responsibility together. We are The Brigade!

Plot:

Brigada is a group of four friends, who grew up together and formed a most powerful gang in Moscow. Initially they made business together...

Plot Keywords:

Moscow | Murder | Crime Boss | Assassination Attempt | 1990s

Cast

Sergey Bezrukov	...	Sasha Bely
Dmitriy Dyuzhev	...	Kosmos
Pavel Maykov	...	Pchela
Vladimir Vdovichenkov	...	Fil
Ekaterina Guseva	...	Olya
Andrey Panin	...	The Detective
Valentina Telichkina	...	Sasha Belov's Mom
Elena Panova	...	Lena
Sergey Aprelskiy	...	Mukha
Farkhad Makhmudov	...	Farkhad
Aleksandr Inshakov	...	Aleksandr
Vitali Bezrukov	...	The Dog Lover
Nikolai Yeryomenko Ml.	...	Kosmos' Father
Darya Poverennova	...	Nadya
Yan Tsapnik	...	Artur

Also Known As:

"Law of the Lawless" (Europe: English title) (International: English title) (DVD title)
"Бригада" (Russia)
"The Brigade" (International: English title) (informal English title)
"Brigaad" (Estonia) [et]

Runtime:

750 min

Country:

Russia

Language:

Russian

Color:

Color

Company:

Avatar Film

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Towards the end of episode 13 we get too see a close-up of Phil's left hand. Even though he has been hospitalized in a full coma for several years, he has a suspicious amount of dirt under his fingernails. In reality a coma patient would hardly have the chance to get his fingernails dirty.

Movie Connections:

Features Prince of Persia (1989) (VG)

Best Story Line Ever

Although another member of IMDb commented on how the English subtitles in this movie were poorly done (which I agree with) the movie in its essence was brilliant. I was born in Russia and speak the language fluently which has to be the reason I understood and enjoyed the movie so much. Despite all that, I've had many non-Russian speaking friends who understood the concept and meaning of the movie fully. Sidorov captured the lifestyle of the Russian mafia very accurately. The movie spans the life of 4 friends over a period of 10 years, going from innocent young men who wanted to be tough guys to being big time crime leaders after being left with no choice of other lifestyles. The best part about everything was how Sidorov showed his audience the changing mentalities in the 4 characters before and after the Soviet Union broke up. He made it very clear that many crime bosses came into power and became politicians and people who influence Russia with an iron fist. The movie also shows a lot of dedication. After watching the special features DVD and looking at all the behind the scenes footage, I realized the actors poured their hearts and souls into portraying these 4 characters properly. For one, they spent 2 years of their lives (while production was running), having their friends and family call them by their character names. Some of the actors (like Sergei Bezrukov) had to adjust their acting style. He went from being Russia's Golden Boy who played innocent boyish roles to proving to the Russian community that he has a wide range in his acting skills. I give this movie my full 5 stars and recommend it to everyone.