Tatiana Samoilova Movies
- 2006
The career of revered Russian filmmaker Mikhail Kalatozov is explored in this documentary film comprised of rare behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with French director Claude Lelouch, and conversations with some of the biggest names in contemporary Russian cinema. Kalatozov's grandson Mikhail Kalatozishvili pays tribute to the director of such timeless classics as I Am Cuba, Salt for Svanetia, and The Cranes are Flying as such notable fans as Andrei Konchalovsky, Sergei Solovyov, and Alexei Batalov discuss the remarkable influence Kalatozov had on their own film careers. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
After several previous attempts by foreign directors who miss the mark, this Russian film version of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel Anna Karenina most accurately follows the Tolstoy novel and remains superior to all other versions to date. It concerns the struggle of a woman to find her place in Russian society. Anna (Tatiana Samoilova) is shunned by society when she leaves her older husband and small son for the dashing young cavalry officer Vronsky (Vassili Lanovai). The officer is torn between his love for Anna and his social and military responsibilities. Bolshoi ballet star Maia Plisetskaya is the noble Princess who at first helps Anna, then turns her back on her. Anna is caught between the worlds of high society and privilege and the downtrodden peasants who are victimized by the economic elite. She tries desperately to follow her heart as she is harshly judged by society for trying to find her place. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tatiana Samoilova, Nikolai Gritsenko, (more)
- 1965
The Russo/Italian coproduction Attack and Retreat was titled Italiano Brava Gente in Italy and Oni Shli Na Vostok in the USSR. This "solidarity" war epic hinges on the plot device of Italian and Soviet WWII troops forming a united front against their one-time ally, the Germans. To drum up business in America, the producers hired two Hollywood stars: Arthur Kennedy (as a fascist leader) and Peter Falk. In some prints of this film, Kennedy and Falk's highly distinctive voices have been dubbed by anonymous actors. Attack and Retreat was gorgeously filmed on location in the Ukraine with an international team of cinematographers. Originally released at 156 minutes, the film has been severely pared down for subsequent reissues and TV showings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tatiana Samoilova, Andrea Kekki, (more)
- 1961
This routine World War II drama with a slight propagandistic overlay is set in a Hungarian town that was called Alba Regia during the period of the Roman Empire. A surgeon (Miklos Gabor) operates on anyone who is wounded, whether they be Hungarian, Russian, Nazis or not. The Russian army invades the town trying to defeat the Nazi army there, but they have to withdraw. One Russian woman stays behind after the army leaves -- she is a spy who sets up a hidden radio to keep the Russians informed of Nazi activities. She and the doctor are attracted to each other, but their love affair could not take place under more duress. In the end, the doctor is forced to give up his neutral stance. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tatiana Samoilova, Miklos Gabor, (more)
- 1961
A French video crew trek across some scenic spots in the USSR in this routine combination travelogue-drama. Good documentary footage on various sites has been spliced with the storyline about one man in the film crew who is looking for an old buddy. This gives some excuse to roam far and wide, helped further by another search for a woman who has run away from someone in the crew because of a lover's misunderstanding. This traveling melodrama is directed by Marcel Pagliero. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tatiana Samoilova, Leon Zitrone, (more)
- 1960
Three men and a woman comprise a geological exploration team in search of Siberian diamonds. After finding the precious rocks, they are trapped by a raging forest fire. The quartet becomes lost and struggles to survive as winter sets in. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Innokenty Smoktunovsky, Tatiana Samoilova, (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)
Based on a play by V. Rusov, the Russian The Cranes are Flying is a love story set during the early years of World War II. With her boyfriend Boris (Alexei Batalov) on the front lines - and no sign of life from him for eons - Veronica (Tatiana Samoilova, Constantin Stanislavsky's grandniece) is raped by Boris's cousin, Fyodor (Vasily Merkuryev), during an air raid, and later accepts his marriage proposal, despite her lack of love for him - hoping that he'll eventually be able to replace her boyfriend. Several subsequent events (both joyous and melancholy) enable the heroine to rebuild her life, as well as restore her own sense of self-value; she is eventually told that Boris has died in action. The Cranes Are Flying won several international awards, and became a staple on the American art-house repertory circuit into the 1970s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tatiana Samoilova, Alexei Batalov, (more)
