manfromplanetx

The second instalment of a four-part Cold War espionage thriller, 'Fate of the Resident' follows the 1968 film Oshibka rezidenta (Resident error). With a continued focus on the character and his dilemma, professional intelligence officer Mikhail Tulyev, passionately portrayed by Georgy Zhzhyonov.

Soviet counterintelligence officers aim to infiltrate their western enemies' secret service by enlisting the help of recruited spy Tulyev, who having been captured and arrested is now in a Soviet prison.

The psychological spy story is compelling viewing, unveiling much about the 1960s Cold War era and the clandestine activities of the eastern and western intelligence agencies. It is intelligent multi-faceted drama, aside from the political skulduggery, the film tells a poignant personal tale of the selfless commitment that the 'resident' assumes. Perfectly cast with a diverse group of characters: patriots, double agents, blackmailers, the blackmailed, a lover and even a femme fatale. Tulyev's confessions under Soviet interrogation expose the covert activities and terrorist plans of the hostile western agencies; there is a striking familiarity here, today, within the current geopolitical brinkmanship.

Sudba rezidenta is an intriguing film, a film to enjoy rewatching, one gains a clearer insight of the many details and numerous players entangled in this intricate espionage web.

I have the original 1970 art poster from A. Fyodorov, a wonderful display and daily reminder of the fondness I have for classic Soviet cinema.

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...

Aleksandr Pushkin's 1833 poem, a fairytale in verse, here is masterly adapted to the screen by revered Soviet animation director Ivan Petrovich Ivanov. Derived from Russian folklore, this is one of the many versions of a story that tells the tale of a beautiful princess cast out by her jealous and wicked stepmother.

Ivanov's animation stylistics are inspired by traditional Russian art, his bewitching film a culmination of many artistic collaborators, is absolutely enchanting throughout.

Composed with captivating animation in which a magical imaginary realm is visualized. The thoughtful tale is told in rhyming verse; an outstanding emotionally charged musical accompaniment enriches this wonderful classic film experience...