User reviews

Unfinished Story was filmed during an era of Soviet cinema transition, it is an intimate portrait, an absorbing adult drama. Director Friedrich Ermler's artistic focus here was not on the superhuman heroes of the fields and factories, with doctors and engineers and broader humanistic themes, this Socialist Realist film presented a mature shift in Soviet cinematic entertainment.

Elina Bystritskaya, stars as district doctor Yelizaveta Muromtseva. Possessed with a compassionate caring soul, she is deeply committed to her patients. A member of the party's regional committee, Yelizaveta has a strong sense of social justice. Appearing outwardly, to be content and independent, a career woman dedicated to her work, however, despite the amorous advances of a colleague, absent in her personal life is a soul mate... Profoundly passionate, Bystritskaya gives an excellent unpretentious performance, her most challenging and confronting patient is hardened paralyzed shipbuilding engineer Yuri Yershov played by Sergey Bondarchuk.

Splendidly filmed over four seasons, superbly acted and scripted, music also plays a significant role throughout. Notable is the scene highlighting a visit to the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia where a Tchaikovsky Symphony is performed. The unfinished story culminates with an allegorical finale and an everlasting heartfelt moment...

A huge success in the Soviet Union and for actress, Elina Bystritskaya who was voted the best actress of the year by Sovetskaya kul'tura in 1955.

Enthralled once again last night, probably was the fourth viewing and certainly not the last. So surprised to find no review here ? Neokonchennaya povest is outstanding Soviet classic film drama...