In 1968, Yaropolk Lapshin released an adaptation of V. Shishkov’s novel “The Gloomy River”. The audience was captivated not only by the fascinating plot of the picture, but also by the actors and roles. “Gloomy River” is a part of the Golden Collection of Soviet Cinema. What is this tape about? And who played the main roles in it?
The creators of the picture
In the picture of Yaropolk Lapshin not only actors and roles are noteworthy. “The Gloomy River” is a real panorama of the life of the Siberian people, created in 1932 by the novelist Vyacheslav Shishkov.
Yaropolk Lapshin chose Shishkov’s work for a reason: the director spent most of his life in Siberia, in the Sverdlovsk Region, so the work seemed familiar and understandable to him.
Lapshin was engaged in the transformation of the plot of the novel into a fascinating script together with his friend Valentin Selivanov. In addition, Selivanov worked on scripts for the films The Orion Loop and Carlos Espinola's Diary.
During the filming, Vasily Kirbizhekov stood behind the camera, who also shot the films “The Strongest” and “Hello, Warsaw!”.
In 1969, Yaropolk Lapshin received a special WTF diploma for the multi-part film adaptation of V. Shishkov ’s novel “Ugryum River”.
Short story
The film "The Gloomy River" (1968) tells the story of the life of several generations of the Gromov Siberian family. The history of the family is covered starting with a description of the life of grandfather Danila. At the beginning of the XX century. he was known as a notorious fraudster: during periods of civil unrest, he plundered an enviable fortune in gold mines by robbery.
After his death, Danil bequeathed all the money and property to his son Peter and grandson Prokhor. However, before his death, Gromov Sr. admitted in a letter where he had all this good from.
Peter turned out to be a drunkard, his business acumen was no different. Therefore, all the worries about the family business fell on Prokhor. In front of his friends and relatives, a dreamy young man turned into an as tough and unprincipled person as his grandfather in an instant. And although Prokhor achieved the status of the most influential person in Siberia, the "robber" genes of Danila Gromov still sideways left him.
Throughout the film, misfortunes sprinkle everywhere on the Thunder family. Wealth and power do not help solve a whole string of personal and family problems. Ultimately, Prokhor does not withstand stress and goes crazy. The main character rushes off a cliff into a seething Siberian river. This is where the film ends.
Actors and roles: "Sullen River." G. Epifantsev as Prokhor Gromov
According to the plot, Prokhor Gromov is the grandson of the robber Danila Gromov and his direct heir. Prokhor is a strong and hardworking person. It is distinguished by solid principles and moral principles. Nevertheless, the grandson had to pay with interest for the atrocities of his ancestors.
In the film of Yaropolk Lapshin, the role of Gromov Jr. was played by Georgy Epifantsev. The actor is a native of the city of Kerch. In 1960, he graduated from the prestigious Moscow Art Theater School.
For the first time on the screens, Georgy Epifantsev appeared in the film "Thomas Gordeev" by Mark Donskoy. In the image of the rich merchant Gordeev, the performer looked so convincing that, perhaps, this predetermined his participation in the Lapshin project “Ugryum-river”.
The artist can be seen in the image of the revolutionary Mark Yelizarov in the film "Mother’s Heart", as well as in the films "Privalov millions" and "Do not part with your loved ones."
George Epifantsev became the founder of the acting dynasty: his three children also became actors.
V. Chekmarev in the role of Peter Gromov
Victor Chekmarev in the film adaptation of the novel V. Shishkov received the role of Peter Danilych, the father of the protagonist.
In the affairs of the family, Peter Gromov does not play a tangible role. He looks more like a dependent than the head of the family. All the worries after the death of Danila Gromov fell on the shoulders of his grandson. And it broke Prokhor Gromov. The drunken father could only watch from the sidelines as power and wealth gradually destroy his son’s fragile mind.
Chekmaryov Viktor Konstantinovich - actor of the Lenfilm film studio, master of negative roles. In the famous Soviet film "The Rumyantsev Case" Chekmarev had a chance to play a dangerous recidivist. In the drama “In the Power of Gold”, the performer appeared in the image of the greedy Zasypkin. And in the film "Virgin Soil Upturned" he played the hidden enemy of collectivization Yakov Ostrovnov.
Other role performers
What else impressed the viewer in the film adaptation of Lapshin actors and roles? “Sullen River”, for example, entered the filmography of the inimitable Lyudmila Chursina. An actress of rare beauty played the role of Anfisa - Prokhor's first lover, whom he then killed.
The role of Nina Kupriyanova, Prokhor's wife, went to Valentina Ivanova. According to the plot, Prokhor married Nina with the money of her father (a wealthy merchant). Anfisa, being unable to forgive the betrayal, promised to dishonor Prokhor to everyone. For this, Gromov Jr. killed his mistress.
The image of grandfather Danila on the screens embodied Athanasius Kochetkov - artist of the Maly Theater. Valentina Vladimirova was played by Prokhor's mother, Marya Kirillovna.
Also in the film you can see Pavel Mahotin, Vladimir Emelyanov and Givi Tohadze.