White Bim Black Ear (1977) User Reviews

A gut-wrenching, beautiful film

[russfroggy · 9/10 · 6 July 2004]

"Belyi Bim" has a dog in the starring role, but it is first and foremost a film about human souls and the vicissitudes and uncertainty of human nature, seen through a dog's eyes. Through the many trials in his search of his beloved owner, Bim encounters a varied bunch of people, some kind, some indifferent, some evil. In the most excruciating scene (and I mean that in the literal sense) Bim encounters human kindness in the face of unspeakable tragedy. The film is based on Gavriil Troepolsky's wonderful novel, and stays very true to the book. Be aware that this is not a Disneyesque animal adventure - this movie doesn't pull any emotional punches and therefore it is not a film for everyone. Nevertheless, I'd probably give it a 9 out of 10 rating. Oh, and the cinematography is absolutely superb!

Don't watch this with your kids! It's a story of despair and misery.

[peterlov · 9/10 · 2 January 2016]

It's a sad sad world, as you will see in this movie. A movie about a dog not suitable for kids, because it will break their hearts with the never-ending sadness.

This movie is a real masterpiece from former Soviet Union and it was nominated for Oscar as the best Foreign movie at that time. The quality of the movie is really amazing, the acting of the main dog character is outstanding. The only problem with the movie is the depiction of the communist reality which mirrors itself in the human characters in the movie.

Beware this is a story of sadness and misery with a bad end. Although you will try to hold to the hope, that it will end with a happy "Hollywood" ending, this isn't the case. It is a story of though journey of a loving dog missing his master across the Soviet Union, meeting many brave and good characters but mostly just cruel and wicked people treating him badly.

Prepare a box of Kleenex for this movie you will need it!

A bittersweet tragedy

[ginaxptn · 9/10 · 9 September 2021]

As someone else mentioned here the film was shown on Greel TV in the 80s. I stll remember the scene where Bimska's paw is caught between the train rails and afterwards I cried all night beacause Bim was so close to find his human again. It is shown again this week in Athens cinemas and I can not decide whether I' m brave enough to see it one more time.

Please, do not take small children with you, it's not the "The Secret Life of Pets".

It's one of those films you only have to see once to have every frame instilled in your heart forever.

[katrindaria · 10/10 · 24 June 2002]

A man and a dog merge in heart and soul. You can feel it when the man falls for Bim and you realize how much Bim loves his owner as you let his pawsteps guide you trough a lifestory that could make Benji say: "Woof, I have not yet lived".

This story will touch your heart and invite you to see the world from a four legged point of view. I give it a 10 and I haven't even mentioned the cinematography which is fantastic!

Masterpiece painful to watch

[LeyNS · 10/10 · 7 March 2012]

This is an excellent movie, touching, beautifully directed and acted. Film about cruelty and indifference of some people and kindness of other. Moreover, this is a film about a great bond between a man and an animal. The dog is searching for his sick owner meeting different people on his path and sometimes this encounters are hardly bearable to watch. There is no graphic violence, but the realism of situations makes not less impact. On the scale of emotions Hatiko and War Horse are average movies compared to this one. I saw this movie once 20 years ago, but even now i vividly remember scenes of it and still shiver when i think of some of it. I will never watch it again, not because it is bad, because it is too good, a masterpice which is just too painful to watch.

About humans

[Muromets · 26 November 2017]

No, this movie is not about "depiction of the communist reality which mirrors itself in the human characters in the movie" as mentioned in the review below. No, this movie is about humans - in general. About our many flaws, our internal ugliness - and yet, also about true nobility of a spirit and , most importantly, hope. And about loyalty, life that is sacred. Watch it, if you'll have an opportunity.

I will never forget this movie, it's too painful

[rotaruhajime · 10/10 · 30 July 2020]

I watched it when I was a teen, and I cried a river. I'll never re-watch it again. It's just too heartbreaking. I still remember some concrete scenes from the movie, even tho I watched it like 15 years ago. This scenes had an emotional impact on me back then.

A must see

[sadwolfa · 10/10 · 24 October 2020]

I saw this movie on Greek tv in the 80s . I was a teenager and watched it in the company of adults . There was absolute silence during the viewing . When it ended i had to dry my eyes only to see all the adults in the room trying to wipe the tears from their faces . It is an amazing film . But just like "Million Dollar Babe" it is a sad film about life , caring , love , indifference and loss . As i said , not an easy film but one of the most beautiful i ve seen .