10 BEST screen adaptations of Russian classics Sergei Bondarchuk/Моsfilm, 1965 Some claim the book is always better than the film. Others argue that screen adaptations help give new life to books that no longer thrill and challenge. Whatever side of the debate you take, have a look through our picks for must-see adaptations.
1. ‘War and Peace’ by Sergei Bondarchuk
Bondarchuk’s six-hour magnum opus became the first Soviet movie to win an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1969. ‘War and Peace’ also scooped the Golden Globe award for Best Foreign Language Film. The movie took seven years to make, becoming the most expensive production ever made in the USSR.
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Top 5 Soviet movies that were shelved for years Aleksandr Askoldov/Gorky Film Studio, 1967 Some Soviet filmmakers had their unconventional movies kept on the shelf for decades. Censors had the privilege of withdrawing movies on ideological grounds, banning certain productions from being released, but mostly for fear they would “rock the boat”, jeopardizing the idea of building “the Radiant Future”.
We’ve chosen five Soviet movies that only hit the silver screen two decades after they were first made.
1. ‘Asya’s Happiness’ (1967)
Asya Klyachina (portrayed by Iya Savina) is a crippled cook on a collective farm in the middle of nowhere. She is in love with Stepan, a featherbrained, irresponsible and narcissistic driver who doesn’t care about her. What’s worse, Asya is pregnant and naively expects Stepan to be a gentleman and propose to her. But Stepan treats Asya like a doormat, claims the baby is not his and suggests that Asya marry someone el