Stalker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stalker is a 1979 science fiction film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, starring Alisa Freyndlikh, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, Anatoliy Solonitsyn. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
"The Zone" is a huge tract of open land where the normal laws of physics supposedly do not apply, containing supernatural hazards. At the heart of the Zone lies a "Room" that is said to grant the wishes of anyone who steps inside. The government has fenced off the Zone, subjecting "Stalkers", people who illegally guide others through the Zone, to harsh prison time if caught crossing the border. One Stalker has just returned from a long prison sentence to his wife and daughter. To his wife's horror, a disaffected writer and a physics professor immediately hire the Stalker to take them through the Zone.
Production
Written by Andrei Tarkovsky and Arkadiy Strugatskiy, the film was produced by Mosfilm. Eduard Artemyev composed the score. Aleksandr Knyazhinsky handled the cinematography. The film runs 162 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
At its premiere the film drew strong box returns and earned an award nomination. A critic consensus praised the score and screenplay.
Legacy
Its legacy endures through a remake, a sequel and a lasting franchise; later cinema cites its influence and symbolism.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
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