There are poised performances, notably that of the pensive engineer (Sergei Makovetsky) who, propelled by conscience, follows in the tracks of Henry Fonda, but there is also a fair dose of grandstanding, not helped by the lengthy, self-dramatizing speeches with which many of the men are encumbered.

NEWYORKER: (director: Nikita Mikhalkov; 2009)

Writing in the Sunday Times, he warned ex-Cabinet members it was not the time for "grandstanding".

BBC: Students have continually opposed the plans