User reviews

I saw this movie by chance on television. I enjoy watching European movies and whilst not at all seeing it as an event watched it to pass the time. Within the first few moments the touching humour of the human condition had me hooked.Laughing out loud at situations and dialogue. A Father takes his family to the country to escape the coming horrors of the war. But whilst the elders have brought the problems with them, to the young boy the world is all new and wondrous. We see nature , through his eyes as pure and holy, but it is soon to be corrupted. As the movie moves along the humour fades as the wars invades his life and the people begin to be taken away. Whilst dark the film never gives in to bleakness but ends with hope. Not as twee as 'A wonderful life' but it has the same heart. Watch it and be moved.

I have seen this film on two occasions, and some years ago, but it has stuck in my mind. Like many powerful films, there is little action. But it is very atmospheric, very real and touching. It is set in East Europe during the Second World War and is centred about a small boy who lives in a small village, his relationship with the local poacher.

The poacher is always talking about the great harvest of golden eels, but this only occurs rarely. It emerged the small boy is Jewish (the poacher is not). One day as they emerge from the woods they see the boy's father being arrested by the Germans, and retreat back to the forest. The poacher talks of the golden eels - of hope. And what will they do if the eels arrive...Might not sound much. But it is. Watch it if you can.

I saw this film years ago when it was presented on a PBS children's film series. It is stunning. What struck me most was the burden placed on the young boy: having to try to make sense of the senseless, the unimaginable. The trajectory of his life is altered suddenly & violently, just as (if I remember correctly) the river's course is altered. The impact of the film on the viewer recreates the impact felt by the child.