Stalker..not what you think...

http://www.hal-pc.org/~questers/TARKOVSKY.html

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/98760/Stalker/Product.html

Movie sucks.

Yep. The book (Roadside Picnic) is a whole lot better.

The game's not bad either ;)

On the whole I don't think the west gets his films, me included.

The movie is actually quite good if you're into that kind of stuff and are willing to forgive a few dragging points.
All "Stalker" products in different mediums are somewhat standalone.

I quite like it so far, but then I liked http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dernier-Combat-Pierre-Jolivet/dp/B000087I29/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1214978617&sr=8-1 too.