Last week, rumors emerged that the Russian Ministry of Education had proposed a list of films and books for possible remakes and screen adaptations in order to “preserve historical memory and foster patriotism.”
Although the ministries were not ethical in their statements, such discussions still generated interest.
We’ve looked through the list of potential remakes and selected for you those films that are worth watching in the original. Without modern adaptations.
1. The Dagger (mini-series), 1973
Genre: adventure, family
Audience rating: ⭐️ 8.0 (KinoPoisk), ⭐️ 7.5 (IMDb)
Country: USSR
Director: Nikolay Kalinin
Starring: Sergey Shevkunenko, Vladimir Dichkovsky, Zoya Fedorova, Emmanuil Vitorgan, Viktor Sergachev
About what: The story tells about the adventures of pioneers of the 1920s who are trying to uncover the secret of a sea dagger. This dagger contains an encrypted message, which is hunted not only by young heroes, but also by dangerous bandits. On the way to solving the mystery, the guys will have to face many dangers and confrontations, demonstrating courage, resourcefulness and loyalty to friendship.
Where to see: YouTube
2. War and Peace (mini-series), 1965
Genre: drama, melodrama, war, history
Audience rating: ⭐️ 8.3 (KinoPoisk), ⭐️ 8.7 (IMDb)
Country: USSR
Director: Sergey Bondarchuk
Starring: Sergei Bondarchuk, Lyudmila Savelyeva, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Oleg Tabakov, Boris Zakhava, Anatoly Ktorov, Anastasia Vertinskaya
About what: an epic based on the novel of the same name by Leo Tolstoy. This large-scale film project by director Sergei Bondarchuk tells the story of the fates of aristocratic families against the backdrop of the Patriotic War of 1812. The film immerses the viewer in the era of the Napoleonic Wars, showing grandiose battle scenes, complex intertwining of the heroes’ destinies and deep personal experiences. The plot centers on the search for the meaning of life, love and the struggle for the homeland, reflecting eternal human values and tragedies.
Where to see: Kinopoisk
3. The Fate of Man (1959)
Genre: drama, war
Audience rating: ⭐️ 8.4 (KinoPoisk), ⭐️ 7.9 (IMDb)
Country: USSR
Director: Sergey Bondarchuk
Starring: Sergei Bondarchuk, Pavel Polunin, Zinaida Kiriyenko, Pavel Volkov
About what: The story is based on the story of the same name by Mikhail Sholokhov. The film tells the difficult fate of soldier Andrei Sokolov, who went through the horrors of the Great Patriotic War, German captivity and early childhood. Despite all the trials, he finds the strength to live on and adopts the orphaned teenager Vanya, finding a new family in Andrei.
The film is a moving story about the resilience of the human spirit, compassion and hope for a better future.
Where to see: Kinopoisk
4. The Star of Captivating Happiness (1975)
Genre: drama, melodrama, history
Audience rating: ⭐️ 8.1 (KinoPoisk), ⭐️ 7.3 (IMDb)
Country: USSR
Director: Vladimir Motyl
Starring: Irina Kupchenko, Alexey Batalov, Natalya Bondarchuk, Oleg Strizhenov
About what: The films tell the story of the Decembrists, participants in the 1825 uprising, and their wives, who later decided to settle in Siberia for their husbands. The film covers events from the uprising on Senate Square to the difficult journey of the Decembrist women across Russia.
The focus is not only on the political struggle of the Decembrists, but also on the deep personal dramas, self-sacrifice and incredible power of love that binds the heroes together in these difficult times.
Where to see: Kinopoisk
5. Alexander Nevsky (1938)
Genre: war, biography, drama, action, history
Audience rating: ⭐️ 8.0 (KinoPoisk), ⭐️ 7.5 (IMDb)
Country: USSR
Director: Sergei Eisenstein, Dmitry Vasiliev, Boris Ivanov
Starring: Nikolay Cherkasov, Nikolay Okhlopkov, Andrey Abrikosov, Dmitry Orlov
About what: The story tells of the legendary Russian prince Alexander Nevsky, who in the 13th century led the Russian people’s fight against the invasion of the Teutonic Order. The central event of the film was the Battle on the Ice in 1242, where Nevsky won a decisive victory on the ice of Lake Peipus.
The film glorifies patriotism, courage and unity of the Russian people, emphasizing the importance of defending the native land from invaders. “Alexander Nevsky” became one of the symbols of Soviet cinema, thanks to its epic scale and musical accompaniment by Sergei Prokofiev himself.
Where to see: Kinopoisk
6. The Cranes Are Flying (1957)
Genre: adventures
Audience rating: ⭐️ 8.3 (KinoPoisk), ⭐️ 8.3 (IMDb)
Country: USSR
Director: Mikhail Kalatozov
Starring: Tatyana Kamoilova, Alexey Batalov, Vasily Merkuriev, Alexander Shvorin, Svetlana Kharitonova
About what: A tragic love story against the backdrop of the Great Patriotic War. The main character, Veronica, and her lover Boris are happy together, but their plans are ruined by the war. Boris goes to the front, and Veronica remains in the rear, where she faces the horrors of bombing and moral trials.
The film explores themes of loss, loyalty and betrayal, showing how war changes people’s lives. The Cranes Are Flying features superb cinematography by Sergei Urusevsky and has received international acclaim, including the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Where to see: Kinopoisk
7. Tomorrow Was War (1987)
Genre: drama
Audience rating: ⭐️ 8.1 (KinoPoisk), ⭐️ 7.7 (IMDb)
Country: USSR
Director: Yuri Kara
Starring: Sergey Nikonenko, Nina Ruslanova, Vera Alentova, Natalia Negoda, Irina Cherichenko
About what: The story takes its origin from the name of Boris Vasiliev. The action of the film takes place in 1940, on the eve of the Great Patriotic War. The story focuses on a group of schoolchildren whose lives and dreams are dramatically changed by the calculations of political events and the repressions of the Stalinist regime.
The film touches on important themes: identity development, moral choice, loyalty and friendship. The film shows how young people full of hopes and plans for the future are forced to face the harsh reality and trials that foreshadow the coming war.
Where to see: Kinopoisk
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Source: Iphones RU
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