Vyacheslav Tikhonov Movies
Stalinist Russia, circa 1930, is recreated in this Russian-French film that focuses on a small, elite gathering of family and friends who appreciate the idealism of Stalin's visions because they do not have to experience its darker side of gulags and purges. The story focuses upon a single day in Soviet revolutionary hero Serguei Kotov's life. Kotov lives an idyllic country life with his lovely wife Maroussia, and their feisty daughter Nadia. He is highly respected by the locals. On this day, the Kotovs are visited by the roguishly handsome Dimitri, who was a former lover of Maroussia. Dimitri is on a dark mission that may have profound effects on Kotov's peaceful, happy, and idealistic existence. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nikita Mikhalkov, Oleg Menshikov, (more)
- 1988
The original title of the German-Russian coproduction To Kill a Dragon was Ubit Drakona. The "dragons" slain during the film's 118 minutes are symbolic, like practically everything else in the story. Adapted from a play by Yevgeni Shvarts, the film is thin on plot, heavy on philosophy. It's hard to say, but the reams of dialogue expounded by the main characters might be more digestible in the original Russian. Director Mark Zakharov had previously risen to prominence as the man behind the Soviet TV miniseries adaptation of The Twelve Chairs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alexander Abdulov, Oleg Yankovsky, (more)
- 1977
Russia's popular actor Vyacheslav Tikhonov plays Ivan Ivanovich, an ill and aging World War II veteran, who comes into possession of an eager and lovable puppy, whom he calls Bim. Because Bim has a black ear, which is not part of his breed's accepted physical conformation, Ivan is unable to obtain a pedigree certificate for him, a fact which causes him endless trouble. Though most of his neighbors are too feeble to be concerned, a few of them hypocritically criticize any deviation from "correctness," including Ivan's dog, his boon companion. Bim is, in fact, Ivan's only close friend. Bim wins friends in Ivan's housing project when the dog alerts neighbors to illegal activities by those same obnoxious hypocrites. This touching drama won the very important Lenin Prize of the Soviet Union in 1980, the Grand Prize of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, and was nominated for an Oscar as "Best Foreign Film" in 1978. Tikhonov, who plays the old man here, may be best known in the West for his performance as Prince Bolkonsky in Sergei Bondarchuk's epic film of War and Peace. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vyacheslav Tikhonov
- 1975
The desperate battles of Soviet troops during the German invasion of Russia are chronicled in this epic film. The effort to defend the country is shown to unify the people and the soldiers, quelling their doubts about the regime. This film won the State Prize of the Russian Federation in 1977. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vasili Shukshin, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, (more)
- 1973
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
- Starring:
- Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Leonid Bronevoy, (more)
- 1969
A lonely history teacher falls for an English teacher who was once his former student. Three days in the lives of the two, plus that of a literature instructor, are the subjects of this film that appeared at the 1969 Melbourne Film Festival. The history teacher deals with his wartime memories and takes care of his aging mother in addition to reaching out emotionally to the object of his affections. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Irina Pechernikova, (more)
