Vyacheslav Shalevich Movies

One of the most popular Soviet TV miniseries of all time, The Seventeen Moments of Spring is a tale of the heroic exploits of a Russian spy in Germany during the last months of World War II. The movie is a battle of wits rather than a regular glamorized spy fare, with a heavy reliance on dialogues and atmosphere. Vyacheslav Tikhonov is quietly convincing as the leading character but the film's popularity owes a lot to its great supporting cast of which Leonid Bronevoy and Oleg Tabakov stand out. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide

This official Soviet film dramatizes the formation of the Red Army and the historical figure Leon Trotsky is shown briefly, even though he remains unnamed. This is significant, because from the 1920s until the 1980s, public mention or depiction of Trotsky was not allowed. Trotsky was the founder of the Red Army and led it for the first six years of its existence, only later falling out of favor. The history of the Red Army is this: practically the whole Russian military ceased to function following the collapse of Russian participation in World War I. When the wartime compromise government fell, various political factions in Russia strove for supremacy, including the Bolsheviks. The military was deeply divided. Those soldiers and sailors who were sympathetic to the radical cause (which included the Bolsheviks) were persuaded to join together to oppose the "White" Russian forces. These, at least in part, consisted of people sympathetic to the Tsar and the previous autocratic regime. The film shows the newly organized Red Army swearing an oath with Lenin and fighting Cossack General Koltchak. The Red forces suffered grievous losses. However, because of their timely and skillful use by Lenin and Trotsky, and the extreme chaos of the times, they were quickly able to consolidate most of Russian society under the Bolshevik banner. This is a lavishly produced propaganda film, and its highlights include superb crowd and battle scenes. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

This propaganda feature chronicles the events which led Russian left-wing socialists to revolt and attempt to seize power from Lenin and the Bolsheviks. The defeat of the Left Socialists gave Lenin and his fledgling communist party a clearer road to power. The group killed the German ambassador in an attempt to draw Germany into a war with Russia. Lenin, of course, is painted in glowing light. Less than two weeks after the 6th of July, the deposed Czar Nicholas and his family were murdered by troops loyal to Lenin. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

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