The Russian Five (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Russian Five is a 2019 sports documentary directed by Joshua Riehl, starring Jeff Daniels, Wayne Gretzky and Igor Larionov. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $485,049 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Joshua Riehl
- Genres
- Sport , Documentary
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Gold Star Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Russian Five About?
The premise of The Russian Five without spoilers.
During the late 1980s, the Detroit Red Wings embarked on an ambitious effort to recruit skilled hockey players from the Soviet Union. This strategy, aimed at bolstering their chances of winning the Stanley Cup, resulted in a significant influx of talent and dramatically altered the sport in North America. The arrival of these players created a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences and fundamentally changing the landscape of professional hockey.
The Russian Five Themes & Keywords
· 23 tags- ice hockey
- soviet citizen
- ice hockey team
- hockey
- detroit red wings
- national hockey league
- nhl
- russian hockey player
- ice hockey player
- hockey player
- 1990s
- defection
+11 more Show fewer
- soviet defector
- 1980s
- detroit michigan
- nhl draft
- head coach
- stanley cup
- stanley cup champions
- car crash
- traffic accident
- russian abroad
- professional athlete
The Russian Five Cast
Jeff Daniels leads the cast, with Wayne Gretzky and Igor Larionov. Directed by Joshua Riehl; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Director Joshua Riehl
-
Jeff Daniels as themselves - Wayne Gretzky as themselves
- Igor Larionov as themselves
- Vladimir Konstantinov as themselves
Also Starring in The Russian Five
· 4 more- Jim Devellano Themselves
- Sergei Fedorov Themselves
- Vyacheslav Kozlov Themselves
- Vyacheslav Fetisov
The Russian Five Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Russian Five 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).
The Russian Five Echo Score Breakdown
The Russian Five excels in presenting an emotionally resonant sports narrative that appeals to both hockey enthusiasts and general viewers. The documentary’s direction and editing are consistently praised for crafting suspenseful pacing and engaging visuals, while its focus on team dynamics and human stories adds depth. Critics note the effective weaving of social and political themes alongside athletic footage. This balance of technical precision and emotional storytelling yields a compelling and broadly accessible documentary.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates strong direction and editing throughout. Viewers respond to well-constructed sequences that balance suspenseful unfolding and clarifying context. The cinematography captures both high-energy game moments and intimate off-ice interactions with clarity. Overall, the cohesive visual and editorial choices reinforce the documentary’s professional and polished finish.
- Character & Emotion 90
When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary deeply explores personal and team dynamics. The human side receives ample attention through interviews that reveal individual motivations and internal challenges. Moments of camaraderie and conflict establish an emotional throughline that resonates beyond the rink. In sum, the film delivers nuanced performances and authentic emotional engagement.
- Story & Flow 80
Regarding story and flow, the narrative maintains steady engagement by weaving athletic achievement with broader social and political context. The documentary balances moments of high energy on the ice with sobering reflections on adversity. Pacing is measured, allowing themes to unfold without overwhelming the viewer. This narrative structure proves coherent and keeps audiences invested from start to finish.
- Sensory Experience 75
In terms of sensory experience, the documentary offers dynamic game footage and clear sound design that heightens anticipation. Edited transitions contribute to a brisk pace, while ambient rink sounds immerse viewers in the atmosphere. Visual style remains consistent, though no distinct musical motif stands out. Overall, the sensory elements support the narrative without drawing undue attention.
- Rewatch Factor 70
When evaluating rewatch value, the film’s compelling story and emotional depth encourage repeat viewings for enthusiasts of sports documentaries. However, non-fans may find the subject matter less motivating on subsequent watches. While insightful themes and polished presentation retain appeal, the reliance on archival footage can lessen novelty. Ultimately, the documentary offers a solid but moderate replay factor.
-
IMDb 8.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 98%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 75 Metascore
User score 7.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 76% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Russian Five Box Office
The Russian Five grossed $485,049 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$485K
- US & Canada
- $485K
The Russian Five Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Russian Five.
Cars in The Russian Five
6 cars on screen, including the 1959 Bentley S2 and the 2010 BMW 5 F10.
-
1959 Bentley S2 Minor role -
2010 BMW 5 F10 Minor role -
1994 Ford F-150 Minor role -
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Minor role
Seen The Russian Five?
Movies Like The Russian Five
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including CCCP Hockey, Red Army and Red Penguins.
-
CCCP Hockey 2004 -
Red Army 2014 -
Red Penguins 2019 -
Unrivaled: Red Wings v Avalanche 2022 -
Skating to New York 2014 -
Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team 2001 -
Red Hot 1993 -
Canada Russia ’72 2006 -
Russia 1985-1999: TraumaZone 2022 -
Net Worth 1995 -
Ice Guardians 2016 -
Russkies 1987
The Russian Five FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Russian Five, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Russian Five?
The Russian Five runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was The Russian Five released?
The Russian Five was released on March 22, 2019.
Who directed The Russian Five?
The Russian Five was directed by Joshua Riehl.
Who is in the cast of The Russian Five?
The Russian Five stars Jeff Daniels, Wayne Gretzky and Igor Larionov, among 8 credited actors.
How much did The Russian Five make at the box office?
The Russian Five grossed $485,049 worldwide.
How is The Russian Five rated?
The Russian Five has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.
Does The Russian Five have a post-credit scene?
No. The Russian Five has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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