The Singing Revolution (2007)

84% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(50,346 ratings)

After enduring WWII-era brutalization by Hitler's Nazi Party and decades of repressive Soviet dictatorship, the tiny Eastern European nation of Estonia began to declare its independence from Communist rule in the late '80s. Over a five-year period, beginning in 1986, hundreds of thousands of… More After enduring WWII-era brutalization by Hitler's Nazi Party and decades of repressive Soviet dictatorship, the tiny Eastern European nation of Estonia began to declare its independence from Communist rule in the late '80s. Over a five-year period, beginning in 1986, hundreds of thousands of Estonians began to systematically and repeatedly gather in public venues to collectively sing illegal patriotic songs, declaring their desire for national independence but never resorting to violence amid their protests. It was no coincidence that Estonia subsequently became one of the first nations to break away from the Soviet Union in the events leading up to the fall of the Iron Curtain. The documentary The Singing Revolution chronicles this extraordinary yet seldom-told chain of events. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Maureen Castle Tusty, James Tusty
Written By: Maureen Castle Tusty, James Tusty, Mike Majoros
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Dec 7, 2007 Limited
On DVD: Feb 3, 2009
Studio: Mountain View Productions

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
'Nonstop Estonian folk music' might not be a great format for a radio station, but it sure works for The Singing Revolution.
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
This fine and surprising documentary asks an even more challenging question: Can music promote nonviolence, prevent bloodshed and successfully overthrow an oppressive regime? Again -- astonishingly -- the answer is 'yes.'
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
The thrill of this documentary is in the remarkable story of the Little Country That Could.
Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune
As far as the plot goes, widespread lack of familiarity with Estonia's recent history actually works in the film's favor: Suspense born of ignorance lends the unfolding drama the urgency of a political thriller.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Patience may not the most exciting movie subject, but The Singing Revolution is, in its deceptively mild way, inspiring.
Desson Thomson, San Francisco Chronicle
It's a powerful story of a nation that, almost literally, sang its way to freedom.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
One of the most inspirational and powerful documentaries I've ever seen.
S. James Wegg, JWR
Singing from the same songbook
Keith Breese, Filmcritic.com
a film that joyfully celebrates the power of the human spirit in all its glory.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Fortunately, the interview subjects (who include festival performers and current and former Estonian leaders) are very intelligent and well-spoken. Their stories are what really holds out interest here.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
If The Singing Revolution were a fictional film it would be dismissed as a pie-in-the-sky fantasy. But it's all true.
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
Folk songs can be plenty inspirational, but like this movie, they just aren't all that exciting.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Although filmmakers James and Maureen Castle Tusty haven't figured out how to make historic tidbits come alive, they do know how to make them sing.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Effectively chronicles in a thumbnail sketch the blustery recent political 20th-century history of Estonia.
Josh Rosenblatt, Austin Chronicle
Full of the kind of collective passion and struggle and yearning for freedom that makes viewers well up with pride at their shared humanity.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Booster-ish, with only former participants in the struggle and activists interviewed. There's a you-must-feel-good thrust (and an incessant score). Warbles a familiar tune to Estonians, presumably, and doesn't offer enough rich notes for an outsider.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
The Singing Revolution is the sort of film that should be shown to North American school children or anyone else who takes his freedom for granted.