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Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey

  • 1993
  • PG
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1K
YOUR RATING
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:05
1 Video
4 Photos
BiographyDocumentaryHistoryMusic

A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his subsequent life after he was abducted by the KGB as well as a history of his instrument.A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his subsequent life after he was abducted by the KGB as well as a history of his instrument.A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his subsequent life after he was abducted by the KGB as well as a history of his instrument.

  • Director
    • Steven M. Martin
  • Writer
    • Steven M. Martin
  • Stars
    • Leon Theremin
    • Robert Moog
    • Clara Rockmore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Steven M. Martin
    • Writer
      • Steven M. Martin
    • Stars
      • Leon Theremin
      • Robert Moog
      • Clara Rockmore
    • 25User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
    Trailer 1:05
    Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey

    Photos3

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast24

    Edit
    Leon Theremin
    Leon Theremin
    • Self - Inventor of the Theremin
    Robert Moog
    Robert Moog
    • Self - Inventor of the Moog Synthesizer
    Clara Rockmore
    • Self - Theremin Virtuoso
    Nicolas Slonimsky
    • Self - Composer and Historian
    Paul Shure
    • Self - Musician
    Henry Solomonoff
    • Self - Theremin Studio Member
    Suki Bader
    • Self - Theremin Dancer
    Beryl Campbell
    • Self - Theremin Dancer
    Lydia Kavina
    • Self - Theremin's Great Niece
    Brian Wilson
    Brian Wilson
    • Self - Founder of The Beach Boys
    Todd Rundgren
    • Self - Musician and Producer
    Vladimir Lenin
    Vladimir Lenin
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Lenin)
    Ingrid Bergman
    Ingrid Bergman
    • Dr. Constance Petersen
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Burgess
    Bobby Burgess
    • Actor in 'The Mickey Mouse Club Show' Clip
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Samuel Hoffman
    • Self - in 'The Mickey Mouse Club Show' Clip
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Jerry Lewis
    Jerry Lewis
    • Sidney L. Pythias
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Milland
    Ray Milland
    • Don Birnam
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Patricia Neal
    Patricia Neal
    • Helen Benson
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Steven M. Martin
    • Writer
      • Steven M. Martin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews25

    7.31K
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    Featured reviews

    9poppy9usa

    Interesting and unique story

    Fascinating story. Well-done film. I had never heard of Theremin, although of course I had heard the sound of the instrument in movies and in Good Vibrations. The film documented a piece of musical history and an unusual life story while many of the principle players were still alive to participate.

    It is not only a story about music, but also about the reach of the Soviet Union into the U.S. It is amazing that this story has not received more attention in the past. In the process of telling about Theremin's life, the film gives a glimpse into the lives of other artists who were associated with him in New York and of his influence on contemporary music.
    frankimbur

    Mix with "Better Living Through Circuitry" for a great double feature

    I was transfixed by this story -- but the film makers decision to subtitle only the Russian words on Professor Theramin's interview was maddening. Did they think *anyone* would be able to understand him?

    Then, to add insult to injury, I remember seeing subtitles in the DVD menu -- but not in English!

    Anyway, I *do* agree with the film-makers decision to de-emphasize the sci-fi connection with the Theramin. I wish the theramin was played by more artists like Clara Rockmore; it is a real instrument, not just the answer to a trivia question.

    I'd recommend seeing it, though -- the man and his time are fascinating. A great time-warp double feature: this and 'Better Living Through Circuitry".
    Lorenzo1950

    Clara Rockman? Who is she?

    Underfire apparently did see this documentary but does not remember Clara Rockmore's name. Yes, Brian Wilson was annoying and rambled too long. Maybe a psychological study of excessive partying and drug abuse would make for another documentary on rock stars. Seeing Professor Theremin was richly rewarding to me. Clara Rockmore was wonderful to watch. Her mastery of the Theremin is amazing. It took me awhile to make up my mind but I purchased the DVD and I'm glad I did.
    7claudio_carvalho

    The Father of Electronic Music

    In the 20's and 30's, Russian emigrant Leonard "Leon" Theremin surprised the world with his musical invention, the theremin, and electronic musical instrument. He lived in New York, with members of high society, including Einstein and Clara Rockmore, among his friends. He married an Afro-American dancer Lavinia Williams, what it was uncommon at that time. He gave concerts, including in the Carnegie Hall, with his instrument. However, in 1938, he disappeared and later discovered that he was kidnapped by KGB Agents. He was sent to a Gulag labor camp and when he was released, he worked for KGB. When his friends find him in Russia, he returns to United States to meet his Clara Rockwood and his former friends before his death in 1993, in Moscow.

    "Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey" (1993) is a documentary by Steven M. Martin about the life of the father of the electronic music, Leon Theramin. It is an amazing documentary, showing footages of Theramin since the 20's; his influence in the sci-fi movies from the 50's and in Robert Moog, the inventor of the Moog Synthetizer used mainly by progressive bands in the 70's. There is the important statement of Clara Rockwood, including in her eighteenth birthday party and a virtuoso in Theremin. Never released in Brazil, the DVD released by MGM Home Entertainment is shameful, indicating subtitles in Spanish and cc that do not exist. Only subtitles in French are available in this DVD. My vote is seven.

    Title (Brazil): Not Available.
    8planktonrules

    It makes you want to buy a theremin and start playing....

    I owe my watching this documentary to my strange daughter. Now I do not mean this in a bad way--I come from a family of strange people and the fact that she KNEW what a theremin was surprised me, as I sure didn't. Apparently a theremin is a magnificent electronic musical instrument created in the early part of the 20th century by Dr. Theremin--a genius who had immigrated to the US around the time of the Russian Revolution. This film, then, is about the instrument and its inventor--and it makes for a slow but very interesting story worth seeing even if you are not a musician. I am certainly not one, but I found myself marveling at the beautiful and other-worldly sound of this machine. In fact, we have all heard the theremin before--most often in sci-fi movies but even in other places such as the Beach Boys' song "Good Vibrations". And, speaking of this, seeing Brian Wilson interviewed was pretty bizarre, as he looked pretty good but the more he talked the more you realized that he still is quite mentally ill.

    Anyway, there is MUCH more to the story in regards to Dr. Theremin--much more, but I don't want to say more because it would spoil this wonderful film. His life, put simply, is MUCH stranger than fiction! I give the documentary very high marks for all the effort it took to construct--with trips to Moscow, locating the Doctor, arranging for interviews, etc.. Clearly this was a labor of love and I appreciate this. The only reason i don't rate this even higher is that it is a bit dry in places and although it kept my interest, I have a much larger capacity than normal for this sort of thing...and the average person might just find their mind wandering. Still, it's fascinating and I strongly recommend you try it.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Theremin is played without being touched; it was the first and is still the only non-contact instrument.
    • Goofs
      In the credits, the song "Someday My Prince Will Come", by Larry Morey and Frank Churchill, is listed as "Someday My Price Will Come".
    • Quotes

      Brian Wilson - Founder of The Beach Boys: It sounded like one of those scary movies where - OOOH - a weird trip, you know. Weird facial expressions. Weird, you know. It's almost sexual.

    • Alternate versions
      The uncut version of the film contains a segment from The Mickey Mouse Club (1955) that is not available in any of the home-video releases because of rights issues.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: GoldenEye/It Takes Two/Toy Story/The Crossing Guard/Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Serenade Melancolique
      Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (as Tchaikovsky)

      Performed by Clara Rockmore and Nadia Reisenberg

      Courtesy of Delos Records

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 24, 1995 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Лев Термен: Электронная одиссея
    • Filming locations
      • Moscow, Russia
    • Production companies
      • Kaga Bay
      • Channel Four Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $253,311
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,335
      • Aug 27, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $253,311
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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