After reading Gorky’s novel, I was very surprised by the fact that a work in which such passions rage, in which there are so many events, complex fates, interesting heroes, which so fully covers half a century of Russian life – from the abolition of serfdom until 1917 – and so tells in detail about social inequality and the victory of the proletariat, there is only one film adaptation (this, 1941, 1941, and a television play ( 1981 year).
I went everywhere for three years, I saw: wow, how angry! They're angry. They are angry with each other, but they are all guilty for their intelligence and stupidity.
However, the film Grigory Roshal is difficult to rank among the film adaptations. These are rather individual paintings (for example, “Dead Souls” by Leonid Trauberg, 1960), albeit key, fundamental, talented and interestingly made, but too much is released from the narrative to be satisfied with this.
And yet it is good that in the year 1968, the movie was found and restored. Here there is something to see: the dominant features of the characters of the main characters are perfectly captured; the scenery is wonderfully built; the life and customs of now very far from us, but still Russian people are deftly shown (especially the current youth are shocked, probably the constant kisses of men when they meet).
How much do you need, you know, and why more? More needs to be understood is harmful.
Expectably pleased with the performance of the actors of the old Soviet school — and a powerful performance Sergei Romodanov powerful image of Ilya Artamonov, and a beautiful Vera Maretskaya (Natalia) and exact Mikhail Derzhavin in the role of Peter, and stellar Love of Orlov, showing for obvious reasons very chaste (as opposed to the original) Paula Menotti. Well, the bonus, the cherry on the cake, if you will: 18-year-old Mikhail Pugovkin (the first role in the movie!), famously dancing for Stepash Barsky.
7 out of 10