Andrei Tarkovsky was one of the greatest movie directors of all time, known for his slow, meditative movies filled with profound themes and breathtaking cinematography. His movies are visual poems exploring the human soul, time, memory, and spirituality.
Here are the 9 best movies by Andrei Tarkovsky, from his early masterpieces to his final and most personal works.
1. Stalker (1979) – A hypnotic journey into the unknown
In a post-apocalyptic landscape, a ‘Stalker’ guides two men into the mysterious Zone, a forbidden area where a room supposedly exists that grants a person’s deepest desires.
A hypnotic, philosophical movie about faith, desire, and the question of whether people truly know what they want.
2. Solaris (1972) – The Russian counterpart to 2001: A Space Odyssey
On a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, astronauts begin to hallucinate and see their deceased loved ones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT8Y7DGQn7M
This sci-fi movie is actually a profound psychological and philosophical drama about grief, memory, and the limits of human knowledge.
3. Mirror (1975) – A poetic autobiography
This dreamlike movie weaves together childhood memories, archival footage, and poetry into a mosaic of a dying man’s consciousness.
Not a conventional narrative, but a deeply emotional experience that captures memory and time in a unique way.
4. Andrei Rublev (1966) – An epic journey through medieval Russia
This biographical movie about the 15th-century icon painter Andrei Rublev is a profound reflection on art, faith, and the human condition.
A visually stunning historical epic that summarizes Tarkovsky’s vision of Russia and spirituality.
5. Nostalghia (1983) – Homesickness and the soul of an exile
A Russian writer travels to Italy and becomes obsessed with an eccentric hermit who claims the world is ending.
A slow, melancholic movie about homesickness, spirituality, and existential doubt, featuring one of the most beautiful long takes ever filmed.
6. Ivan’s Childhood (1962) – A child in wartime
A young Russian scout undertakes dangerous missions during WWII while trying to cope with his lost childhood.
One of the most impressive anti-war movies, with stunning black-and-white cinematography and deep human drama.
7. The Sacrifice (1986) – Tarkovsky’s final masterpiece
On the eve of a looming nuclear apocalypse, a man attempts to make a sacrifice of faith to save the world.
An intense and spiritually charged farewell from Tarkovsky, full of existential questions about sacrifice, faith, and the meaning of life.
8. Tempo di viaggio (Voyage in Time) (1983) – A philosophical documentary
A lesser-known but fascinating documentary in which Tarkovsky travels through Italy discussing his ideas about movies and art.
A must-see for fans wanting more insight into his vision and working methods.
9. The Steamroller and the Violin (1961) – His very first movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WP-IqhTgMc
Tarkovsky’s short graduation movie tells the story of a lonely boy and a construction worker who become unexpected friends.
All his signature themes and visual style are already present: the beauty of the everyday, symbolism, and spiritual depth.
The Greatest Master of Poetic Cinema
Andrei Tarkovsky’s movies are timeless works of art, uniquely exploring time, memory, spirituality, and the human condition.
His movies are not easy viewing, but they offer an unparalleled cinematic experience for those willing to surrender to them.
Which Tarkovsky movie moved you the most? 🎬🔥
