Deadly Code (2013) User Reviews (34)

Good movie

[jools-mouse · 7/10 · 14 July 2018]

I wanted to watch this movie because I read the book on which it was loosely based - 'Siberian Education' by one Nikolai Lilin. It is a story of growing up in a criminal community of people that were deported from Siberia to Transistria, a small region in present day Moldova. Whether the story is true or not, it is actually a good read.

Then a read reviews of the movie on imdb and noticed that most critical reviews claim that it unfairly depicts Russia. To me it is like complaining that 'The Godfather' gives Italian Americans a bad name. 'Deadly Code' is not a documentary, even if it shows brief real-life footage to help place the story in time. I do not know if Siberians were ever 'relocated' to Moldova but it is not impossible - criminal societies in USSR / Russia existed and probably still do (thieves in law) and it did happen that the whole ethnic groups were being deported across the country in a short period of time, i.e. Tatars from Crimea to Uzbekistan in 1944.

The movie itself is not an instant classic but it is well made with some great photography, good acting and a story of friendship in interesting times. The pace is rather slow but there is no need to hurry. All in all, a movie worth watching.

Set in Transnistria and NOT in Siberia!

[maxzer0 · 7/10 · 12 February 2018]

I have been on imdb for over 5 years and never felt the need of writing a review. However, Deadly Code has gotten bashed for all the wrong reasons and couldn't help myself writing this one as the authors deserve more credit for coming up with this gritty story. Folks, this movie is NOT set in Siberia. Gagarin and Kolyma are NOT real names, they are obviously nicknames. Please research before criticizing a movie. This has a solid script and very good character development. Malkovich performance is absolutely hypnotic and brilliantly stands out. Personally, I also found the photography and editing compelling. I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in a crime story but tired of the average Hollywood scripts.

not memorable but didactic

[antoniotierno · 7/10 · 10 March 2013]

Assassins as well had a childhood, that's the moral groundwork for this Siberian Education, directed by the Italian Gabriele Salvatores (Mediterraneo); the story forcefully describes the early years of a future Russian mobster and soldier, growing up in a terrible town created by Stalin for criminal outcasts. The film is basically an engrossing duet between the young hero and his. Based on a much-translated book by Nicolai Lilin it stars John Malkovich, resembling a lot Marlon Brando after retrieving from the mafia and certainly being the strength of the film. It was shot in Latvia though set in the former Soviet Union (current Transinistria, part of Moldavia), a location managing to describe properly those years and those tower block estates in the most deprived and dangerous areas. Eleanor Tomlinson too is superb.

A mood movie

[Tcarts76 · 7/10 · 14 August 2013]

Every once in awhile a person has to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies. Does that make sense? "Educazione siberana" or Siberian Education is a mood movie. It is a somewhat slow drama about a small group of boys growing up as members of a ethnic Siberian community. If you don't know a little about these people, it's much like the mob and it was created by the Soviet penal system.

It's a slow movie but it is a human drama. DOn't let the title fool you this is an English speaking movie. Although it takes place in the Soviet Union it is a very relateble tale. A story about how people change and grow apart especially in the face serving time in prison. John Malkovich plays the part of an old, wise grandfather in it. He is his usual great acting self, but his role is limited.

I do have a problem with this movie though. There are somethings I felt needed a little explaining, and could have made this movie from good to great. The main character, at some point leaves the community, and joins the Russian Military. There are scenes interspersed in the movie with him in uniform as the story of the past is unfolding. But it stops short of giving us a good clear picture of if this effected his family, or the community. It is just an odd way to get him to the end he is seeking. He could have taken care of the problem, right then and there, without all the years passing by.

I give it a seven. I usually have to be in a mood to watch a long, unfolding drama such as this one, and I was. A few problems don't ruin it too much but would have went a long way.

Ordinary gangster movie, but interesting enough

[sjd912 · 28 January 2014]

Lots of thing will seem familiar in this one, including the sympathetic criminals with a strict moral code, the conflict between the brothers. There isn't much depth in the characters, the flashback scenes are just there for the sake of telling the story.

But there's one thing why should see this movie: everything is just so elaborately made in it. The sets, the cinematography, the dialogues show a huge amount of works. And Salvatore's directing can make even the most pretentious scenes effective. Among the actors, there's no difference between the young Litvanian ones and stars like Malkovich, they're all great. (The only thing that bothered me was the forced and unrealistic Russian accent.)

It's less about its characters and more about guilt and morals, but it's atmosphere makes you forget about all of the weaknesses. It's not really original, but the atmosphere makes it a unique film.

Other Worldly

[westsideschl · 7/10 · 28 May 2014]

Actually, 6.4. I should round down, but I'll be nice (and hopeful). Negatives: 1. A slow narrative similar to what you might find telling a story by a campfire. You are either captivated or put to sleep. Works either way. 2. Translating from book to script there are some lost periods of time and some flashbacks that can be disruptive. Positives: 1. Great cinematography showing a place and lifestyle most of us have little knowledge of. Filmed in Lithuania and Italy to represent nearby southwestern USSR as one of the locations in that country where large populations were transplanted for political or cultural reasons. 2. A code of conduct where your status in society justified some criminal acts, but only by the rules. The film captures the indoctrination of those rules from an early age to adulthood as we follow two, best friends, boys who grow into pursued and pursuer. 3. Actors, incidentally from many nations, conveyed their characters in a naturalistic way so you never feel as if you're watching people recite lines of script.

Siberian Art

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 4 December 2013]

I love John Malkovich and every time he is on screen the movie lights up. The way he portrays the character makes you almost forget about the characters talking English for no good reason (with an accent but still). It would have made sense if they talked in their native language. Obviously something Malkovich wouldn't be able to do. Still the movie has to say something about "education" and life itself. Boys will be boys ... until they grow up.

They can take different roads though, depending on the path they choose. It's obvious where this leads, though you have a distraction or two along the way (plus a time jumping theme all over the movie). That will either confuse some people (not me and a lot of others here on IMDb) or make them big fans of the movie itself. So it sets high goals, but doesn't achieve all of them. Life lessons for some, a nice story for others.

Based on true.... XD fantasy book!

[greenclever · 1/10 · 19 September 2014]

Born in Omsk city, in Siberia. This film is total NONSENSE. Non, not a one thing in this film isn't true. I laughed loud XD on dude named "Gagarin" drinking "Chefir". And "Urkas" there is no such people in Sebiria.

Lat's see a couple of crappy moments. The author is claiming that this is based on a true story. Well, from the first minutes terrible lies. I am talking about "Holy image" with handguns in her hands. Bang XD. Never, i repeat, it would not be allowed to draw handguns on a holy image of holy mother. Even criminals won't do that.

2nd crappy moment. Author claims, that there is some "Urkas" natives living in Siberia. I'am telling as Sebirian there's no "Urkas" in Seberia. The author of the book lies, and director who made this film on the base of liar's book, is liar. This whole film is a lie, with over exaggeration's all over. And all this lies with serious face.XD

Well, i could continue forever, there are too many crappy moments in this "movie". Not bad, for a comedy film.

Don't really have much to say about this movie. I just laughed loud, watching it. I bet, there would be some kind's of people taking this film serious. Please don't.

You may watch it, but remember, as a true Sebirian i'am telling you - "This film show's no truth!", not even tiny bit.

Not just a B movie - this is pure art

[Blueorca-1 · 10/10 · 6 July 2013]

I've been a member here for years. And i never wrote a review. But after watching this movie, even though there are bad reviews, I've just had to do a short review.

This movie surprised me extremely. Its not perfect. But there's so much love to detail, its just art. Im not a big fan of movies about Russia nor do i like john malkowich very much. I've always thought of him as a pretty weird actor. In this movie: he was just perfect!

Lower your expectations, watch this movie and i hope you will be positively surprised like i was. Somehow i hope there will be a sequel to this movie :) I got tired of the Italian mafia movies, Chinese marshal arts movies or American movies with big special effects... This was a welcome refreshment!

P.S Im sorry for my weird English, it has been years since I've talked to anyone or written in English. I just watch movies with English audio a lot. :)

A Nicolai Lilin book's adaptation

[Venom_81 · 7/10 · 7 November 2016]

I read a lot of reviews about this movie from Siberian people who complains about the truth of this movie. This movie is based on the Nicolai Lilin book, it doesn't want to be true it's just the movie version of the book. So yes there are a lot of things that maybe are untrue about the use and costume of the Siberian people of the 90's. About the cinematic adaptation of the book I have to say that isn't completely a success. Kolyma in the book is forced to join the army and it didn't join to find Gagarin. There is not such a big conflict between the 2 guys in the novel. As always the book it's definitely more intense of the movie, in the movie they changed to much the story for no reason. So if you can , read the book before watching the movie. So i'm not happy about all the changes they have done to the story but I have to say that on a big part of the movie you still fill the sensation to be out of the time in a desolation place in Siberia

Failure

[siberya777 · 1/10 · 1 December 2014]

Well, that's definitely a fantasy movie. As a native Siberian, I agree with previous reviews:

1) There are no nationality "urka" in Siberia. Siberia was populated in a similar way as the U.S. Caucasian people came from the European part of Russian and dominated ethnic groups. In particular, there were several waves of prisoners in 18th, 19th, and 20th century. The Siberian criminals in 1930+ were called urkas, in particular, in Kolyma, a north Siberian region with rich deposits of gold. Most of urkas had tattoos that told their stories, in particular, what kind of crime they committed.

2) Urkas were not mobile once they were released from the prison in Siberia. Permanent and temporary registration is still a big deal in Russia. It would have been very unlikely for an urka to cross the country and settle down in the Western part of Russia, unless they had close relatives there who could register them at their own houses or apartments.

3) I was very upset with the looks and outfits. Honestly, I did not get why people were dressed like there were in 1930-40ties, while it was 1980-1990ties. Also, "Gagarin" and his father wore long hair. If they came from urka's family, the most appropriate hairstyle would be really short hair or being bold. Besides that long hair is usually considered homosexual in Russia, except some alternative fashion. Probably I should not write here how homophobic Russian people are...

4) What's up with the accent? I could hardly understand what actors said. It did not sound Russian to me. I hope it worked for non-Russian people to create the right setting.

To sum up, with 30MM Euro budget it is really such a shame that the crew did not do their homework. It was worth spending $1-2K to fly to a Siberian city and talking to people there, or hiring a Russian historian focusing on Siberia and/or criminal history to identify those basic things above.

P.S. Though I should admit that I enjoyed watching Malkovich in his role.

Once upon a time in Transnistria

[manus_nigra · 9/10 · 13 March 2013]

Based on the Nicolai Lilin book, the movie is the story of two friends growing up inside a syberian criminal clan. Kolyma and Gagarin, friends from childhood, rise guided by grandfather Kuzya in the strong "honest criminal" code of their community. Their bond is so strong that Gagarin takes a 7 year prison sentence to save his friend; when he returns home, strongly changed and estranged from his roots,they try to bond again but their differences arise until they clash upon the love for the beautiful and child-minded Xenia.

The strange (and real) syberian criminal code is at the core of the movie and a reason alone to see the movie; but every bit of the story is well managed: very good acted and masterfully directed by Gabriele Salvatores, with a beautiful cinematography and a very "narrative" soundtrack.

Educazione Siberiana is a little masterpiece in modern movie-making that uses the usual "criminal action" tropes (from the code of honor to car chases and special forces operations) in a very personal way, to create a compelling, engaging and emotional story of education, friendship and impossible love.

The stupidest reflection of Russians I ever seen

[gkartavtsev · 1/10 · 24 April 2018]

As someone born and raised in USSR, I state this is the stupidest movie about criminal I ever seen. It has nothing to do with reality. The guy who comes from prison with long hair? You may stop watching right there.

Why USSR, not Wisconsin? Stupid, stupid, stupid... period.

This is not a good movie from any angle.

[enofile · 2/10 · 8 October 2014]

While I appreciate the technical skill of the cinematography, the dialogue, character development, and editing must have been created through an alcoholic haze fueled by bad potato Vodka. It's too bad the cinematographer was not involved in a project that included a competent director and production team. How John Malcovich took on this role must be a fascinating and convoluted story. His performance was no "stretch" and Malcovich's abilities as an actor are not on display in Deadly Code or whatever name this ersatz piece of filming wants to use. The plot is trite and there is nothing fresh or revealing in this "comic book tale" of organized ethnic crime in Russia. This subject matter, when focusing on the transformation of the USSR to the current 15 republics, provides fodder for great movie making. However, this particular story is ludicrous, inexplicable, and simply makes no sense. Malcovich's acting is an over the top campy goof, but the other performances are so weak, especially Kolya's the young lead, that Malcovich's thespian romp seems Olivierarian in comparison. The only redeeming part of this movie, as I mentioned, is the cinematography. Thus, if you are an aspiring film maker, watch this with the sound off. It's the only way to tolerate it.

A beautiful story, an excellent movie.

[nicola-taddonio · 9/10 · 26 August 2013]

I see people from Russia and former soviet countries are upset because "Siberia is not like that". But this is NOT a documentary, this is a movie telling a story! If you watch the movie and judge it as what it really is, maybe you'll see that it's a beautiful story, and the cast did an excellent job.

I assure you one doesn't come out from the cinema thinking to Siberia as a land of criminals and assassins.

We knew before it's a harsh country, where living conditions are though, so we imagine people must be tougher to survive. What's wrong in using this simple assumption to create a fictitious group of fierce people with its own laws that keep fighting for living in harsh conditions?

And the story itself IS BEAUTIFUL: friendship, love, revenge, from the point of view of people grown up with an unconventional scale of values. But in the end you can ask yourself if you, with your "conventional" education, would have acted the same way or not.

IMHO, among the top 10 in the last few years.

Do your homework well.

[hasanovz · 1/10 · 12 August 2013]

Folks, it is just bullshit, sorry for my language. It is just awful. I tell you it as someone who grown up in Sibiria, Kogalim city of Tumen and who currently lives in the Caucasus. Basically, storyline develops in the regions which I do know well.

First, it is not Sibiaria, people don't live like that, there are no criminals like that. There are no such standoff between police and cirminals. Plus, criminals are not commute well there. Second, I assume that one part of events develop in breakout region of Moldova, in Prednestrovie, which has nothing to do with Siberia.

Third, the Caucasus story is stupid. The fighters in the Caucasus are not connected to drugs because it is against their core believes. Gagarin drinking vodka at the end of film is horrible – it is prohibited in the Caucasus, specially among radical fighters because they are mostly radicals and don't spoke/drink.

Do your homework well if you want to shoot a real movie.

Friendship in Siberia

[tuco73 · 8/10 · 6 March 2013]

**contains spoilers** I just came out of the cinema and believe this movie is a really good one! In all Salvatores' movies there is a common thread, this is the subject of friendship. This time it is dealt in a very though way. It is possibly about a friend demanding attention up to the extreme gesture of being killed by the hand of his only friend. the whole story is developed in a non linear way, with continuous jumps in their childhood, but the plot is always very understandable and the storytelling captivating. Didn't read the book, so cannot make judgements on how well the director translated it into a movie, but actors, images, music, all seems to me to be working pretty well. It contains violent scenes and may not be your best choice for a romantic date, but I believe it deserves a better rating than it has now.

instant classic bulls**t

[l_b_s · 1/10 · 28 August 2014]

If you really like this movie try Borat (or Russian Dancing Men) next, another one true and in-depth biopic about (ex-)USSR people's way of life. Why you westerners are ready to swallow any bulls**t about Russia so easily?

Let me share this formula of highly sellable "a la Russe" trash, so you'll be able to cash in on it the same way like Mr. Lilin did. Take a couple of grim facts of Soviet/Russian history and add a lot of s**t to make everything look even worse (do not overdo though for we do not need to get any highbrow surrealistic Pasolini-like overtones). If you are not good in fabricating stories use some golden classic, like Once upon a time in America for instance, as a cut-and-paste source. Then tell everyone that it's your personal story, firsthand experience and/or your family background.

No one knew anything about this new great Russian author in Russia before we happened to hear about his fantastic success with western audience. Do you know why? Because they did not publish his books for Russia. Do you know why? Because they can sell them here as a pulp fiction only. And we've got tons of similar pulp, yet not as ludicrous as Mr. Lilin's books. So keep this "new Russian classic" of urka-exploitation genre for yourselves if you can see no difference.

Everything is lie

[FC_Kuban · 2/10 · 12 November 2014]

Every second, every moment in this movie is lie. This movie is based on it. 'Urkas' is not a nation. 'Urkas' is the name of criminals in Russia. There is no Russian name 'Kolyma'. 'Kolyma' is the name of Russian town, not a human name. There is no Russian name 'Gagarin'. 'Gagarin' is the surname (last name) of the first cosmonaut in the world. Georgians in this movie is not look like real georgians. If you don't know how they really look, type in Google 'Georgians' and you'll see it. Jews in this movie looks like... goths. This is only some moments in this movie that are not truth, because if I begin to describe every lying of this movie, I can write a whole book. This movie is dishonest. If you want to see the real life of Russian criminals, I recommend you to see the Russian movie 'Bespredel'.

SIBERIAN ( A+ Movie) My Ratings 9 /10

[THE-BEACON-OF-MOVIES-RAFA · 9/10 · 9 December 2022]

THE INK Master of Tattoos old time tattoo mythology well defined

The film, exciting on a narrative level, original and creative on an aesthetic-figurative level, is constructed with an effectiveness that does not exclude the subtlety in alternating intense and feverish. Enormously good gangster drama about a Siberian clan living in a part of the Soviet Union which later becomes Transnistria, and like the traditionally living grandfather of the younger generation, especially his grandson Kolima, trying to live up to the values of his clan, where, among other things, the culture, the belief that crime and hatred of all public servants are closely related, and how our growing protagonists choose to deal with it.

There are no words

[grace-107-245580 · 1/10 · 10 July 2013]

Shame on you, those ignoramuses who believe in Lilin's fairy-tails. Bears on snowy streets, everyone with earflaps and balalaika, vodka's drinking everywhere, and now this: Urka community. LOL. Lilin fools you guys. And you, John Malkovich.. Oh my Siberian God! Although watching we had a lot of fun. But the fact that this foolish fantasy is a bestseller is very disappointing. I thought western audience is smarter.

Here author's Russian friends wonders his crazy fantasy: He loved to invent all sorts of stories, no one really paid any attention to it, the usual dreamer, only girls and believed his tales. http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1781720

It's just a fantasy, folks

[silverton-37959 · 8/10 · 21 November 2022]

I enjoyed this little fictional piece because it's a story about an imaginary clan of criminals in a fictitious province in the USSR that was supposed to have been an open air prison for criminal families from all over the USSR. It isn't meant to be true or true-to-life.

Before seeing this film, I had never liked John Malkovich's characters in any of his films. This character of his was likable. I also liked Peter Stormare's character , Ink, the tattoo artist. The rest of the characters weren't really memorable, but the film was humorous in spots and entertaining on other levels.

Most of the 1 and 2 star reviews attack the story for not being an accurate depiction of life in Siberia. It isn't set in Siberia, it just focuses on a fictitious clan of criminals who were said to have been sent there from Siberia. I'm sure that all of those reviewers feel very self righteous and self satisfied for having set the record straight. Reviewers like those would probably write an entry for the Goofs section that reads: "The guy who is called Grandfather Kuzya is John Malkovich, not Grandfather Kuzya." Enough.

This is just stupid , Transistria is on a Different Continent than Siberia, plus everything else

[raduletz · 1/10 · 22 July 2019]

This is like a long and poorly conceived episode of criminal minds written by a young staff writer from kansas or oklahoma or somewhere who saw Eastern Promises and felt inspired. Yes, i know the original writer is from Moldova ... of which Transnistria use to be apart of before Stalin and WW2 (btw they were both part of Romania) .. and this makes it even worse. Also, the ethnicities and names sound something along the lines of "The oprressed native SouthCentrals and my old friend Buffalo, NY." Lastly , the tone and writting ... what is it ? A thriller ? Gritty ? Magical Realism ?

Chaotic images of a chaotic existence

[sidneywhitaker-1 · 1/10 · 12 December 2013]

If the gratuitous violence, bestowing of treasured flick-knives (for use), elaborate but inexplicable tattooing, accompanied by barely intelligible dialogue (in Siberian English?) creates a film for you, good luck! in isolation, there are striking, almost self-indulgent, dramatically lit and contrasty shots. The Italian makers have deceived themselves if they thought they had made a film. It will make the viewer keep clear of Siberia, and value his own education, wherever else obtained. The disruption and lack of continuity incline the poor viewer to fast-forward in search of a coherent scene, or... the End.

Only the printed lines of a short Preface give any coherent account of the situation. Jump-cuts, wilful lack of continuity, and the odd extraneous clip (e.g. Fall of the Berlin Wall), added to the trivial dialogue, increase the incoherence.

The principles. Trust. Love. Siberia.

[deadmoongrrl · 8/10 · 13 July 2013]

Many of us do not have any other image of Siberia except for the deserted snowy forests, wolves and -40C. The people live there. And people used to be deported by soviet government for disobedience. Their skin is thicker and their life is tougher. They "fight it" and they protect it against the police and government.

The movie shows us a great understanding of "honest criminal" and the importance of following the principles. The principles of friendship, business, survival.

John Malkovich with his Slavic roots couldn't be better as a grandfather Kuzya. All the crew is an amazing team of English speakers having Russian accent.

The film is shown as a big reality show between 1985-1995 soviet years, with no secrets. Harsh and bloody in some parts, it smooths the feelings by the end.

An honest interpretation, full of actual symbols of the Siberian people of that age.