Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom

Netflix | Release Date: October 9, 2015

6.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Stream On

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

raaa_taJun 28, 2019

Do you want to see the Russian propaganda at work? This user review page is a good example of that. This documentary isn't perfect (it didn't mention the far-rights and Russians' involvement behind the scenes), but it is overall a very goodDo you want to see the Russian propaganda at work? This user review page is a good example of that. This documentary isn't perfect (it didn't mention the far-rights and Russians' involvement behind the scenes), but it is overall a very good documentary. This documentary really hit home for me, since I moved with my family to another country for political reason, and I've been following the Hong Kong protests closely. The world need to take a stand against Russia and China together.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

Great_DragonOct 31, 2019

Despite the movie skipped many details. But it manages to preserve the whole idea of the protest. Don't late corruption and lie take your freedome away.
This is a great documentary.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

SmoothrunnerJan 15, 2016

Almost two years have past since the events depicted in the "Winter of Fire". All this time I was reluctant to watch any documentaries dedicated to Maidan, since all these terrible and magnificent events were to fresh in my memory and IAlmost two years have past since the events depicted in the "Winter of Fire". All this time I was reluctant to watch any documentaries dedicated to Maidan, since all these terrible and magnificent events were to fresh in my memory and I thought that any incorrect documentary will only outrage me. My own and my family's participation in the Revolution was humble but nevertheless it left deep emotional scars. I remember my night-watches, and the moment when I dissuaded my old parents from participation in the February 18th meeting near Parliament since I was convinced that it will be a massacre. Another of my family member, former military, is still proud of participation in clashes with the Berkut on Hrushevskoho street. So it was to personal for me to allow some film director to spoil those memories.

However incidentally I've read a positive review on "Winter on Fire" from another participant of those events who praised the documentary for it's accuracy in depicting the Revolution. So I decided to watch it. And I was stunned by its thoughtful and correct retrace of facts without silly surface comments or assessments. Maybe Berkut's and police cruelty was a little bit softened (they've intentionally tortured to death some protesters, like Yuriy Verbitsky, intentionally crippled numerous protesters by firing in their eyes with rubber-bullets, braking bones, even beheaded people, many people are still considered missing), and the spirit of mutual aid and respect on Maidan not enough emphasized, but still this documentary is unbelievably correct with facts and the spirit of Maidan. I was overwhelmed by revived memories and emotions watching it. It is true, that "EuroMaidan" ended on 29th of November. On the 30th of November near the St Michael's Monastery completely new Maidan has been born and the Revolution of Dignity started it slow pace which is still in progress due to seemingly hopeless wars Ukrainian nation is waging - against Russian army invasion and against corruption which is plaguing our outdated "territorial" elites fostered by Russia instead of national elite thoroughly murdered during the Soviet Russia's occupation of Ukraine (1921 - 1991).

This documentary's authors did truly grate job by restoring so scrupulously events of this terrifying yet magnificent Revolution. It's like I lived again through all those scary and dignified days. Sense of the presence of God are correct words to describe those feelings - it felt like frighteningly majestic Spirit was there on Maidan with all those people, who, despite the odds, continued to believe in the ultimate victory and who were ready to sacrifice themselves for the things many others consider abstract and non-essential - freedom, dignity and patriotism.

For those, who want wider political context - it's all there in the documentary. Standing behind Yanukovych's back is puppeteer Putin, trying to revert Ukrainian nation from its choice to be a European country rather than Russian colony. Government without its own voice, filled with Yanukovych's old "friends" and subordinates from his so-called "family" - his business clan. Parliament, to scared of Yanukovych, to make independent decisions. So-called "leaders of opposition", representatives of our "territorial elites", unable to take responsibility for anything - miserable men completely unfit for the grandiose historical moment they were participating. And mysterious reborn of an old nation - Ukrainian nation, with its thousand years of complex history, which almost lost itself under 300 years of occupation by Russia and suddenly revived and fighting for its future.

This documentary though it's thoroughly accurate, is enthralling and dramatic like best Hollywood movies, like Maidan was. It will immerse you into the dramatic and magnificent story of the Ukrainian Revolution, into the heights of the human spirit, bravery, unselfishness and heroism, and into the depths of human decline, fear, cruelty and cynicism. "Winter on Fire" is beautifully crafted, deeply involving, with great music and true story.… Expand

6 of 14 users found this helpful68

All this user's reviews

3ebfan511Mar 1, 2016

I had already watched a fair amount of maidan footage on youtube, so I was not expecting this to be anything new to me, and the first 30 minutes was some of what I had already seen, but it does get better as it goes along, and by the end itI had already watched a fair amount of maidan footage on youtube, so I was not expecting this to be anything new to me, and the first 30 minutes was some of what I had already seen, but it does get better as it goes along, and by the end it was extremely powerful, with stuff I had never seen before.… Expand

5 of 12 users found this helpful57

All this user's reviews

ep1demicNov 12, 2020

It's hard to watch this film - too many memories.
What I can say - the scenes shown in this film is a complete truth.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

Richard552Aug 16, 2022

This documentary really hit home for me, since I moved with my family to another country for political reason,$1 to buy a Netflix account, Google search: vtvshare

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

marick333Jun 13, 2023

This remarkable documentary delves into the tumultuous events that unfolded in Ukraine during 2014. With its gripping narrative and emotional storytelling, it offers a captivating portrayal of a tragic story. The film's ability to evoke aThis remarkable documentary delves into the tumultuous events that unfolded in Ukraine during 2014. With its gripping narrative and emotional storytelling, it offers a captivating portrayal of a tragic story. The film's ability to evoke a strong emotional response is a testament to its power, leaving viewers deeply moved. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human experiences and the impact of historical events.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews