User reviews

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out in the theaters--the L.A. Times gave it a favorable review and it sounded kind of fun. It was.

It's dated now ('80s clothes, '80s politics), but it's an amusing, somewhat corny little movie that will entertain and amuse. I thought that the interaction between the three boys and "their" Russian sailor seemed genuine, and I liked the premise. The scenes where the boys have a "day out" with their new (Russian) buddy are especially fun to watch.

Whip Hubley is cute and likable as the stranded Russian (but, oh, that big '80s hair cut he's got!). Leaf Phoenix (now known as Joaquin) is excellent as one of the boys. (I recall how the L.A. Times review took special note of Phoenix's performance, and predicted that he had a great future ahead of him. Boy, were they right!) Also take note of Benjamin Hendrickson (playing Phoenix's Hungarian father who has no love for Russians). Hendrickson is mostly known for soap opera work, but he has an effective supporting role in this film.

This is a little movie with some laughs and a good heart. It's not a *great* film, but still enjoyable. James Newton Howard (still early in his career when this movie was made) does a good job with the score. I even bought the soundtrack (on LP at the time) and it is enjoyable to listen to on its own!

This is one of those movies you see on a Sunday afternoon on TV. This was my first time renting it from the library, I am trying to watch all of Joachin's films. His acting was great an so was his reading ability..that is what makes a great actor. The little blond that was in Something Wicked This Way Comes was exceptional as well. The 80's look comes thru in this movie, and it still stands up to today's films. If you like Joachin Phoenix, this is one to admire and watch. The music is really 80's a lot of keyboard. And the only person I didn't like was Carol King. She can't act and she can barely sing. Otherwise it was enjoyable.

This is the story of a Russian submarine that runs aground off USA. When a Russian sailor named Mischa Pushkin(Whip Hubley)is accidentally lost, he's stranded in Key West and is desperately looking for help. Then three American kids(Leaf Phoenix,Billingsley , DeSalle) capture him and befriend . A memorable set of silly events follow to hide the seaman and scheme a journey towards island of Cuba. Meanwhile he falls in love with the kid's sister(Susan Walters).

In this film you'll find funny moments, simple humor, peace-loving, good feeling though some moment is a little boring. The enjoyable relationship between the three kids influenced by comic-books and young mariner helps build a mountain of laughters, plus the Russian's panic where the fun chiefly lies. The picture bears certain resemblance to ¨Russians are coming, Russians are coming¨- 1966, by Norman Jewison with Alan Arkin and Eva Maria Saint- though in lesser budget and lack lustre. Sympathetic main role for Joaquin Phoenix, before named Leaf, previously his recent successful acting from 2000s as ¨Signs, Gladiator,Buffalo Soldiers,Quills, The Yards¨, he was a child prodigy, such as he proved in ¨Parenthood, Spacecamp¨and of course ¨Russkies¨. Besides appear as supporting cast some relatively known secondaries actors as Leo Rossi, Patrick Kirkpatrick and Al White. Catching soundtrack and dated songs with synthesizer musical score by today prestigious James Newton Howard. This jolly and agreeable motion picture is professionally directed by Rick Rosenthal.

Russian radio operator Whip Hubley (as Mischa) washes up in Key West, Florida as the U.S. Fourth of July holiday approaches. After the Communist mishap, three young American lads evade their parents to go out in their JFK-influenced "PT 109" motorboat. The boys discover Mr. Hubley in their hideout and fear a Communist invasion. But, Hubley turns out to be a nice guy and makes friends with gun-ho Joaquin "Leaf" Phoenix (as Danny), Peter Billingsley (as Adam), and Stefan DeSalle (as Jason). His handsomeness attracts Adam's beautiful older sister Susan Walters (as Diane)...

Soon, the kids' parents, US military, and "Russkies" are all looking for Hubley...

This is a "feel-good" family movie obviously made to prepare Americans for the inevitable dissolution of the Soviet Union. Unlike several of the planet's legendary rivalries, the Americans and Russians never really hated each other as people, so the potential for friendship was easy to sell. The "Cold War" enemies were really political systems, fueled by technological advances in space exploration and military might. The film's "You homo!" quips, sissy limp-wrist gestures, and boys' fear of hugging a man suggest a sequel could have featured Olympian Greg Louganis washing up on their shore.

***** Russkies (11/6/87) Rick Rosenthal ~ Whip Hubley, Joaquin Phoenix, Peter Billingsley, Stefan DeSalle

With the Cold War raging on, this film really was a change of pace, bringing out a more poignant look between two warring nations. While the reality of the story felt contrived, it proved to be one of those films which brought a warm feeling in the bottom of the soul. Despite the cheesy 80s music and styles, this is still a movie one has to see with a group of friends.

This is a feel good movie at a time when the Cold War was winding down (although most people didn't know it at the time). The acting is just awful, the characters are flat, and the plot already has been done (See "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming" http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0060921/). It has its James Bond moments, probably intended, but they do little or nothing to help get this turkey off the ground.

On the other hand, the first time around for this plot, "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming", benefited from both a great cast and great writing. "Russkies" pales by comparison. I have to wonder why they bothered to make the film.

Cold War silliness with a group of American boys befriending a Russian sailor that has washed ashore in Florida and learning "they" aren't that different from "us," after all. Cue the eye rolling. Most notable today for being the first starring role for Joaquin Phoenix (billed as Leaf Phoenix back then). He's kind of annoying in this, honestly, but a lot of that is the clichéd way the character is written as a gung-ho anti-commie cartoon. Peter Billingsley is another of the kids. A few years prior he would have been top-billed but, alas, the plight of the aging child star. Whip Hubley (who?) plays the Russian and he's pretty much awful. He does have a nice head of hair, though. I've noticed a lot of remarks here seem up-in-arms about the "homo" insult and other things along those lines that weren't forbidden back then. So if you're someone who is prone to getting the vapors every time you hear something that offends your delicate sensibilities, you might not want to watch this.

So, the message that Russians are people just like Americans gives some substance to this film. Clearly, this was intended for a cold war audience, but the theme can obviously still apply today. However, the constant fear of homosexuals makes these boys quite the hypocrites. Whether the boys are fighting or explaining American culture to the Russian, it is quite clear that gay is bad. When the boys fight, they refer to each other as homos. When the boys help dress the Russian, they repeatedly make gestures implying the bad outfits chosen are gay. Even when the Russian tries to give the boys a hug, they refuse on the grounds that it is gay.

It appears that the real message of this movie is: Don't hate the Russians, just hate the gays...

"Russkies" is basically a sweet movie. I'm not a sappy person, and it almost made me cry. (I had a huge lump in my throat.) There is just something about seeing people care for each other that really makes me happy. And "Russkies" gives me a warm feeling. The chemistry between the actors is incredible. What's even more amazing that three of them were young and quite inexperienced. Although its plot isn't very realistic, it's okay, because the meaning of it is not lost. And I think the whole point behind this little movie is that - this is gonna sound incredibly cheesy - friendship knows no boundary or age difference. That last scene between Danny (Joaquin/Leaf Phoenix) and Misha (Whip Hubley) had me in near tears. And one thing Misha said really hit home. I don't remember the exact words, but he said people don't trust each other. I think it's very true.

I bought this tape mainly to see Joaquin as a little kid. I know he's an awesome actor but I didn't know he was already awesome as a child. Those eyes, even at such a young age, can speak volumes. Joaquin/Leaf gave a truly great performance as Danny, and so did the other two kids whose names have escaped my ailing memory. I know nothing about Whip Hubley, and when the tape ended I thought he really is a Russian. Good performances all around, even from Summer Phoenix who wasn't in it a lot and that actress who played the blond boy's sister whom I usually can't stand.

All in all, "Russkies" is worth watching.

My review was written in July 1987 at a pre-release screening on Manhattan's UWS.

"Russkies" wears its heart on its sleeve, obviously intended to be a fable for youngsters to educate them to a message of universal brotherhood and tolerance. Unfortunately, this carbon copy of Norman Jewison's 1966 United Artists hit "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are Coming" is ineptly handled and laughable, with a very weak cast in place of the original's heady lineup of farceurs. Aggressively themed throughout its running time to July 4th celebration atmosphere, pic faces tough sledding in it unwisely delayed until November release berth.

Handsome blond Whip Hubley portrays Mischa Pushkin (his name engenders one of the script's few laughs), a Soviet sailor washed ashore in Key West, Florida, when a submarine's landing party (to pick up military secrets being sold by traitor Leo Rossi) gets caught in a storm. THree gun-ho, junior Rambos (Leaf Phoenix, Peter Billingsley and Stefan DeSalle) reluctantly take him under their wing when they quickly realize a flesh-and-blood Russian soldier does not conform to their comic books' image of an evil enemy. In fact he akes an ideal playmate as hey buy him clothes and chaperone him around town.

Of course, Hubley falls in love at first sight (and the feeling is mutual) with Billingsley's olderl sister Susan Walters, but the adult world is only interested in tracking down (or shooting down) this nice-guy alien, especially when his two nasty crewmates show up, bent on stealing U. S. military secrets and kidnapping the yourng heroes for protection.

To be fair, though pic's plot outline is virtually idenitcal to that of the Jewison film Iwhich was based on Nathaniel Benchley's novel "The Off-Landers"), "Russkies" is probably not a ripoff, but rather a case of reinventing the wheel. Update unwisely emphasizes the underlying propaganda aspercts of the piece, with director Rick Rosenthal frequently drawing the action to a halt for extended monologs by Hubley or others to drive home the too-obvious plea for understanding.

Windup even has the young trio, after everything has been sorted out, reading "War and Peace" instead of their "Sgt. Slammer" comic books, a Classic Comix version of Tolstoy would have been more believable.

Precocious Billingsley easily dominates the film while his confreres Phoenix and DeSalle are, respectively, woloden and earnest. Walters is a dish tolook at, but her dreamy-eyed acting is poor. Supporting cast is quite bland, as songstress Carole King stands around blankly as Phoenix' mother, and yet another oddly named member of the Phoenix clan, cute Dummer Phoenix pops up, natch, as Phoenix' little sister.

Hubley treies hard in his bloated lead role, yet another script miscalculation since his similary styled prototype, Joh Phillip Law, had the advantage of playing straight to an hilarious group of comedians including Alan Arkin, Jonathan Winters and Paul Ford. This time, an audience has only Hubley, insufferablel kids or paper-thin adult stereotypes to choose from and it's no fun.

Tech credits are well done, though the Key West atmosphere, layed on with a trowel, is irrlevant to the theme other than location's proximity to Cuba.

Saw this back in 1988 and thought it was lame then too. I was 12 when it came on cable tv after school and remember thinking it was silly. Fast forward to yesterday and it happened to be streaming while I waited for the Suns game. Nothing has changed, it's still silly and hasn't aged well.

Leaf Phoenix, before he'd become an Oscar winning method actor, stars as one of three kids who find a stranded Russian sailor in the beach. It's the 80s so the USA hated Russia, well I guess that part hasn't changed. That little kid from Christmas story who would become friends with Vince Vaughn later in life, and some actor named Stefan round out the cast.

Looking back I remember watching this around Christmas 1988 when I was into skateboarding and thought Search for animal chin was a masterpiece, hey I was 12. I'd say this isn't a total zero star movie but it's definitely no masterpiece or anything memorable. Jouquin Phoenix and Peter billingsley would later go on to have solid careers. Patrick kilpatrick would have a career as villains and fight Jean Claude van damme. Some guy named Whip Hubley, as the Russian did a few movies afterwards before retiring from acting. Some kid named Stefan, last name not important would do one other movie than never be heard from again. Sorta like this movie, except every now and then we unfortunately hear about this. Unless your bored don't bother with this turkey.

Going into this movie you may be skeptical, but fear not. This movie is very entertaining, the characters are all pretty well played, and the whole message is worth seeing the movie. Leaf Phoenix and his brother River, where among the best juvenile actors of the 80's. Unfortunately, the movie is no longer available for purchase and is pretty hard to find.

I thought that Russkies was a brilliant film. It is one of those films which brings a lump to the back of your throat. It is very sweet and relaxing. The three teenage boys are confused, they don't know whether to trust Misha (the Russian)or go along with their parents and the American government. I really love this film especially Danny because he is so cute!!! I like the message of the film. People don't trust each other like they used to. It is a fantastic film and if you are having trouble finding it then try to research Russkies on e-bay. That is where I managed to find mine. This film cannot go unmissed. Misha and the teenagers find a way through it all and their friendship will last forever. DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!!!

I'll admit I am very skeptical when it comes to old movies. Lots of times I won't even rent them because they are so poorly made compared to newer movies, in my opinion at least. But, this movie was surprisingly good. I thought the plot was really sweet and Joaquin did a really good job. I couldn't believe how young he was. The only other movie i had seen him in was Signs (which he was great in by the way). I thought the other actors did really well even though i don't know who any of them are seeing as it was an older movie and as i mentioned earlier i basically just watch new releases. In all i would probably give this movie an 8/10

Don't waste time watching this pathetic knock-off of a truly great movie. Watch "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming" instead. Imitation may be a form of flattery, but in the case of "Russkies" it's hardly sincere.