The Rifleman

Directed by Dzintars Dreibergs
Omnibus Entertainment
2019
104 Minutes
Latvia
English
Action, War
Not Rated
play trailer
DVD
$29.95

The Rifleman pays stark witness to the horrors and brutality of the First World War, as seen through the eyes of an innocent 17-year-old farm-boy turned soldier. Though he is underage, and his dad, a former marksman, is over age for the army, they are both conscripted into one of Latvia’s first national battalions. The thrill of training is soon followed by reality, as shells burst around them in the endless mud. He grows up on the battlefield, fighting at the side of his father and brother, their lives are constantly in jeopardy.

Cast

  • Oto Brantevics
  • Ieva Florence
  • Raimonds Celms
DVD Features

Sound: 5.1 Surround & 2.0 Stereo

Discs: 1

  • Highest Rating
    "...an honest yet frenzied interpretation of the veracity of warfare, with utterly breathtaking cinematography, reminiscent of the brilliance of Band of Brothers.... As the young, endearing lead, Brantevics is extraordinary...."
    Guy Lambert, The Upcoming
  • Highest Rating
    "[O]ne of the best war films of the last few years."
    Rob Aldam, Backseat Mafia
  • Highest Rating
    "...a lavishly mounted, lion-hearted first world war epic...."
    Ellen Jones, The Guardian
  • Highest Rating
    "With its muscular direction by former documentarian Dzintars Dreibergs, atmospheric cinematography and careful attention to period detail, this account of a troop of Latvian Riflemen fighting first for the Russian Imperial Army against invading German forces and then for an independent Latvia should appeal to WWI buffs and fans of Sam Mendes’ “1917.” The convincing tech package could stand its own against Hollywood productions, while the symphonic score by composer Lolita Ritmanis (an Emmy winner for “Batman Returns”) anchors cinematographer Valdis Celmins’ epic sweep. "
    Alissa Simon, Variety
  • Highest Rating
    "The crowning achievement of this film is its battle scenes. In gruesome detail, we see the horrors, anxieties, and consequences of war. The way the scenes are blocked are extremely visceral and immersive. Some sequences elicit genuine fear and heart racing tension. It is easily one of the most thoroughly invigorating presentations of WWI on film."
    Camden Ferrell, Disappointment Media

Awards & Recognition