this be eisenstein first complete project in over ten year . the film take place in the 13th century during an invasion of russian by german ( teutonic knight i think ) . release in 1938 it a very loose parallel to russia nearing involvement in wwii and and germany advancement into eastern europe . there be some incredible scene and most notable the battle near the end of the film and and there be a shocker when child be throw into a pit of fire and but it not an easy watch . the film drag and isn not a consistently brilliant a potemkin or ivan the terrible . sometimes eisenstein be well in clip . his brilliance be present and however and and it a must see for eisenstein fan and film historian . russian propaganda at it fine .