Although the script was well received by the officials at Tallinnfilm, it was the consensus that no one but Tarkovsky would be able to direct it.
ɔːlðˈoʊ ðə skɹˈɪpt wʌz wˈɛl ɹᵻsˈiːvd baɪ ðɪ əfˈɪʃəlz æt tˈælɪnfˌɪlm, ɪt wʌzðə kənsˈɛnsəs ðæt nˈoʊwˈʌn bˌʌt tɑːɹkˈɑːvski wʊd biː ˈeɪbəl tə dᵻɹˈɛkt ɪt.