Oleg Strizhenov Movies
- 1967
In America, they would have called him "Robbie," since Robert is a friendly robot. Built in the image of his inventor, Robert finds himself cast adrift into human society. He tries to adapt, but soon discovers that the world isn't as "perfect" and logical as he is. A neat premise, nicely done by an likeable Russian cast. They Call Me Robert was originally released in the Soviet Union as Yego Zvali Robert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oleg Strizhenov, Marianna Vertinskaya, (more)
- 1966
This film biography of 19th-century French dancer and choreographer Marius Petipa plays out like a tear-jerking melodrama. Petipa (Gilles Segal) signs on with the Russian Ballet and becomes known as the father of modern ballet. Much ado is made about the combining of Petipa and Tchaikovsky and the fruits of their collaborations. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gilles Segal, Oleg Strizhenov, (more)
- 1965
This drama is adapted from Chekhov's famous play and chronicles the dreary lives of a late Russian colonel's three daughters as they struggle to survive during the early 1900s. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lyubov Sokolova, Margarita Volodina, (more)
- 1964
In this drama, an adaptation of Chekhov's "The Duel," a bored young man can find nothing that interests him. Even his mistress has become dull to him. His lover's husband dies and now the fellow finds himself expected to marry her. Unwilling to place himself deeper into an already insurmountable rut, he decides to flee, but first he must borrow some money from a lender who refuses to help out when he learns the youth's reasons for borrowing it. Enraged, the young man challenges the lender to a duel. Fortunately both men miss each other. Still, the close call with death has a profound effect upon the youth who suddenly approaches life with renewed zest and vigor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1963
As the communist revolt progresses in Russia, a female commissar is dispatched to some anarchist sailors to get them on board the party bandwagon. Her arrival is met with skepticism and an attack by an aspiring rapist. She shoots the man in self defense and begins to form the sailors into a cohesive fighting unit. Joining the unit for a mission, the sailors are all murdered before they can convert to communism. The fallen angel is held up as a symbolic heroine to the people's cause in this decidedly propaganda-drenched film. The film took a specially created prize at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival, somewhat to the consternation of critics who failed to observe its merits. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margarita Volodina, Boris Andreyev, (more)
The Bolshoi Opera, Theater, Orchestra, and Choir unite to bring Alexander Pushkin's Pique Dame to life on the stage in this opera featuring music by Peter Tchaikovsky and libretto by his brother Modest. A theater event that is sure to be enjoyed by both opera and film lovers alike. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bolshoi Opera, Bolshoi Theatre, (more)
- 1960
There are various versions of the short story The Queen of Spades by Alexander Pushkin, and in this performance of Tchaikovsky's opera on the same topic, Herman, a young army officer, is anxious to marry Lisa, the woman of his dreams, but Herman does not have much money. However, Lisa's grandmother is a Countess who has the secret of winning at cards. The avaricious young Herman decides he has to get the secret from the Countess in order to satisfy his own cupidity. The actors mime the parts of the various characters in this filmed opera, while the opera singers themselves supply the vocals. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oleg Strizhenov, Olga Krasina, (more)
- 1959
Not to be confused with 1985's White Nights, this slow-paced romantic drama is based on a story by Feodor Dostoyevsky about a daydreamer (Oleg Strijanov). Set in the 19th century during Czarist rule, the tale begins when the man who has essentially daydreamed his life away, meets a stranger named Nashtenka (Ludmilla Martchenko) on a bridge in St. Petersburg. The two start up a conversation and develop an instant rapport. Nashtenka is depressed because her boyfriend seems to have left her and the daydreamer no longer feels lonely when he is with her. They meet again the next day, and the next, and so on. But as the relationship between them seems to be growing stronger, an unexpected event looms on the horizon. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lyudmila Marchenko, Oleg Strizhenov, (more)
- 1959
Based on the last novel written by Alexander Pushkin, this well-wrought tale of political daring and intrigue is set at the end of the 18th century during the reign of one of Russia's greatest rulers, Catherine the Great. The story centers on a young soldier, Peter Griniev (Oleg Strijenov), who has been banished to a distant outpost because of his drinking habits. The post's Captain Mironov Vladimir Dorofeyev has a lovely daughter by the name of Masha (Ia Arepina) who captures the heart of young Peter just as he is recovering from a duel with another soldier. In the meantime, the Cossacks are rising up in revolt, and their leader, Pugachev (Sergei Lukianov) has a special relationship to Peter -- the young soldier had once saved his life. As Pugachev and his peasant followers approach the outpost, the drama reaches its moving climax. Ironically, Pushkin wrote this story in 1836 and was killed the following year in a duel (a practice he rails against in his stories). ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oleg Strizhenov, Sergei Lukyanov, (more)
- 1959
Set right at the heart of a densely populated city, and also at the heart of a serious issue in the aftermath of World War II, this suspense tale by director Nikolai Rosantsev is woven around a cache of unexploded bombs. Captain Doudine (Oleg Strijenov) leads the squad of volunteers who gather to defuse the bombs. One casualty has already occurred, and Nastia (Clara Louchko) the widow of that victim, is among the group intent on rendering the bombs harmless. Their long and arduous efforts are interrupted by moments when it seems an explosion will be inevitable, creating a constant reactivation of the tension inherent in their task. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oleg Strizhenov, Iosif Kutyansky, (more)
- 1957
This patriotic Russian historical epic recounts the life and times of 15th-century explorer Pardesi (Oleg Streeshenov). The hero is shown going to India at great personal risk, in hopes of establishing a trade agreement between the Indians and his own people. Most of the film is a travelogue, with the actors playing second fiddle to the Indian landscape. For all its pomp and splendor, Pardesi emerges more as a kiddie-matinee entertainment than a film for grown-ups. On this level, however, it succeeds, despite its attenuated 116-minute running time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oleg Strizhenov, Nargis, (more)
- 1957
Its title notwithstanding, The Mexican was filmed and released in Russia. The screenplay is based on a story by Jack London, an American author much admired in the Soviet Union. The title character, played by Oleg Strizhenov, is the spokesman for a group of Mexican revolutionaries. Hiding out in Los Angeles, Strizhenov and his followers intend to overthrow their home government, but that takes money. To raise the necessary funds, The Mexican enters into a 17-round prizefight. This portion of the film is exciting enough to compensate for the earlier propagandistic dull stretches. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oleg Strizhenov, Boris Andreyev, (more)
