More than three and a half decades ago, director Yevgeny Tatarsky made a fascinating parody of an adventure and adventure genre, using the cycle of short stories “The Suicide Club” and “Diamond Rajah” by Robert Lewis Stevenson. Initially, the painting was called "Suicide Club, or the Adventures of a titled person." But some at the top did not approve of him, because it was not very clear who were the suicides and who was the titled person. For a whole year the film was banned from showing. It came out on a wide screen only in mid-January 1981 and was called "The Adventure of Prince Florizel." The actors were selected just perfect. Now it is no longer possible to imagine a different cast in this picture. Famous lyceum perfectly lived in their roles.
Soviet parody with a touch of irony
For Soviet cinema, it was always a gift over the appearance of the opportunity to film the English classics. The film "The Adventure of Prince Florizel" was no exception, the actors for which were chosen very carefully. There was something gracefully aesthetic in it, quite deep. And this something found a grateful response in every heart of the pretentious spectator of the Soviet Union.
Actors of the movie "The Adventures of Prince Florisel" played brilliantly! But not only they managed to recreate on the screen the atmosphere of the real and unique Old England. There was still amazing music, decorations that were worked out more than carefully, costumes of that time, makeup. This picture can be put on a par with the series about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. An interesting fact is that both of these films appeared on the screens in one year, and their original sources also belong to the same time period.
This small series can be attributed to those movie masterpieces that have passed the test for years with excellent marks and absolutely deservedly managed to win the love of hundreds of thousands of viewers. No wonder this film was included in the list of the best films of the Soviet Union.
Story line
The protagonist of the film “The Adventure of Prince Florizel”, whose actors were the undoubted stars of the screen, is the prince of Bacardia Florisel (inimitable Oleg Dal). He travels around London with faithful Colonel Geraldine (graceful in any role, Igor Dmitriev). One fine day they make acquaintance with the artist Perkins (actor Askhab Abakarov). Thanks to the young man, they end up in a strange Suicide Club, headed by a certain Chairman (charismatic Donatas Banionis). Thanks to the intervention of Prince Florizel, the Club will eventually be closed. Those unfortunate who need help will receive it. The chairman, unfortunately, will slip away. And then our heroes will come to grips with the criminal ...
There are some differences in the film from Stevenson's book. According to the print publication, Florisel is the prince of Bohemia and is portrayed by the author as a slightly plump young man. On the screen, Bohemia was replaced by a fictional Bacardia, while the prince became a slender and elegant young man.
On the contrary, the colonel, friend and adviser to the prince, on the book pages is almost the same age as Florisel. In the film, he turned into an elderly, knowledgeable person.
Brilliant acting: Prince and Colonel
Oleg Dal, who was not too indulged in the main roles, managed to create the image of the pleasant, but bored Prince of Bacardia. Because of boredom, he travels around prim London, trying to somehow entertain himself with adventures, sometimes very dangerous.
The prince is a man of honor and always keeps this word. It represents an innate elegance, in every movement, word, nobility is felt.
Here is such a titled person played by Oleg Dal in the film "The Adventures of Prince Florizel." The actors and the roles they performed in the film were so interesting that the love of viewers does not fade to them to this day.
The constant faithful companion of the prince is Colonel Geraldine. There is no certain lightness, recklessness of Florisel in it. He is too reasonable. The colonel not only serves the prince, he is also his senior friend, adviser and assistant. Geraldine's loyalty is by no means subservience and worship. He truly loves his overlord and takes care of him hourly. This creative union paid off on the set, in each scene Oleg Dal and Igor Dmitriev organically complemented each other.
Brilliant acting: Nick Nichols and Jeannette
The main serial villain was embodied on the screen by Donatas Banionis. Oh, this is a block of talent and artistry! You can only talk about him "the most-most." His role in this picture is the Chairman of the Suicide Club. He is Checkered, he is Nick Nichols. The character turned out to be extremely charismatic and interesting, despite the fact that in this film he embodies the universal Evil. First, Nick is a funny joker, even a joker. But at one point it becomes a cruel killer, even a monster. When there are scenes on the screen using a stranglehold, even knowing that you are sitting at home in front of the TV in a comfortable chair, you feel uneasy.
So, the film "The Adventure of Prince Florisel." Actors in their skill are not inferior to one another. The role of the fatal beauty Jeannette was invited to Love Polishchuk. Her heroine can, with a click of her fingers, drive any member of the strong half of humanity crazy. She is amazingly beautiful, young and chic. In some incomprehensible way, Jeannette combines the immediacy of a small child and depravity. Most likely, this happened thanks to the upbringing of Nick Nichols, who once turned a good girl into an assistant criminal for his affairs. The joint scenes of the prince and Jeannette received high marks from film critics.
The huge work of the crew
In the supporting role, the actors were also selected in the most thorough manner. It was a real star union: Elena Solovey, Boris Novikov, Vladimir Basov, Mikhail Pugovkin and others.
So it turned out the film "The Adventures of Prince Florizel". The actors and the roles they played for the past three and a half decades have left no spectator indifferent. The characters have a lot to learn: elegance and grace - from the prince, restraint and ability to think logically - from the colonel, nobility - from the Englishwoman Joan (the role of Elena Tsyplakova), performance - from Trenton. Look, dear viewers, and this time will not pass for you in vain!