The story of the unfortunate villain Anna Soboleva, who agreed to marry a rich old man to help her father and brothers, but failed to keep a person in herself, living in a high society, is known to many thanks to the wonderful story of the classic of world literature. Although I must note that the film adaptation of this work, filmed in 1954, came out well. Even if a number of artists in the mid-1950s subjected the film Isidor Annensky to harsh criticism for the “wrong” translation of Chekhov’s text into film language, the picture, despite this, was still hotly received by the audience, becoming the leader of the Soviet film distribution.
Even today, "Anna on the neck" still looks interesting.
First, the plot of the film not only corresponds to what Chekhov had, but also slightly makes the story itself wider. Moreover, these directorial speculations did not spoil the impression of the picture at all (although Soviet critics, in my opinion, were right, pointing to a poorly conveyed “break” in Anna’s soul).
Secondly, all the actors, from the main characters to extras, played wonderfully. No overplays, no jargon in words – everything, like Chekhov, like in the XIX century. Therefore, it is very disappointing to watch modern historical films and film adaptations, where a specific historical era is not felt. The role of Anna became for Alla Larionova really difficult (for a 23-year-old aspiring actress) and “star” (although I imagined Anna differently when reading). So good were Vladimir Vladislavsky (Modest Alekseevich), Alexander Sashin-Nikolsky (Father of Anna), Mikhail Zharov (Merchant Artynov). But the most notable of the cast was the well-known Alexander Nikolaevich Vertinsky - the idol of the Russian stage of the early XX century. Given his noble manners, cartiness, noble origin, in the film the former emigrant played a role corresponding to his type - the prince.
Third, Anna on the Neck was shot at a time when color films were just beginning to come into fashion. And this was the main success of the picture: beautiful costumes and scenery during the demonstration of balls simply could not but please the eye.
And even if since the premiere of "Anna on the Neck" has gone more than 60 years, another film adaptation, more modern, I would not like to see, because what managed Annensky, in our time to repeat, unfortunately.
10 out of 10
