The film “Quiet Don” is a Soviet adaptation of the immortal novel of M. Sholokhov. The picture was shot back in 1958. Strange as it may seem, for the film, the ballad genre more characteristic for literature was chosen, the vertex subtype of the composition of which - the long development of the plot action - is left behind the scenes, and only the climax and climax are shown to the viewer. Perhaps that is why most of the events of the second volume of the original were simply cut out. Nevertheless, The Quiet Don (1957) by S. Gerasimov is still considered the best adaptation of the cult epic novel by M. Sholokhov.
Plot
Sholokhov's canonical novel, marked by the prestigious Nobel Prize, was among the most significant and vivid works of world literature. He tells of the collapse of the foundations of the Cossacks. The six-hour three-part film most accurately conveys the original atmosphere of the source, telling about a turning point in the history of Russia. When the centuries-old habitual way of life collapsed irreparably, fates tragically broke, moral values, human lives depreciated.
Past era
The fact of the appearance of such a work in Soviet Russia leads to some bewilderment, because, to be honest, the author is clearly on the side of Grigory Melekhov. A hero who became a hostage to a combination of fatal circumstances, like many others, who fell under the ruthless millstones of history. Having written "Quiet Flows the Don", Sholokhov, as it were, gathered in him a popular cry for a passing era. The picture captivates and captivates in detail not only the peculiar way of life of the Cossacks (dialect, decoration, traditions), but also the nature of the relationship between the characters.
Brilliant cast - merit of the director
The drama "Quiet Flows the Don" (actors: Peter Glebov, Elina Bystritskaya , etc.) was shot in real villages near Rostov. It is worth noting the excellent selection of actors, their game was excellent, with both performers of the main and secondary characters. Viewers of our time unequivocally believed in the masters of acting. The talented director Gerasimov succeeded in absolutely everything: from a specific Cossack dialect to emotional scenes that were extremely heated to the limit (the return to G. Melekhov’s native farm).
Dominant character
Despite the decent number of characters, the film “Quiet Don” has a dominant image - Grigory Melekhov, whose role was played by a rather talented, though not well-known actor Peter Glebov. Glebov was already a little old for this role, but he was able to feel and convey to the viewer the whole palette of emotions, the character of his hero, tell about his tragic share of the “truth-seeker” and the wanderer. He is at the crossroads at the very beginning of the story, because he falls in love with another woman's wife - Aksinya Astakhova. Unable to cope with surging feelings, the hero is ready to abandon not only his young wife Natalya, but also his parents and his father's house. It is also worth noting the performer of the role of Pantelei Prokofich (father of Gregory) - actor Daniil Ilchenko, thanks to which there is a small amount of humor in the picture.
Cossacks
The painting "Quiet Don", the actors and characters of which instantly gained popular love and recognition, gave the world bright female characters:
The image of the fatal Aksinya was performed by Elina Bystritskaya. Even during the casting, she frankly admitted to the director that she had long wanted to play this role - a beautiful, strong-willed and strong Cossack woman, ready to do everything without hesitation for the sake of her lover.
Desperate Natalia was played by Zinaida Kiriyenko, who brilliantly managed to convey the second female image - the wife of Gregory, suffering, loyal and loving. A special element deserves special praise in the painting “Quiet Don” (1957) - the complete authenticity of the reconstruction of the texture of the Cossacks of that era - another time, other types. The remaining actors also played their roles at the proper level.
Necessary brevity
Much of the literary source was not included in the film "The Quiet Flows the Don", Sholokhov described in more detail the events of the First World War, the pre-war life, the existence of the main character in a gang, etc. In any case, it is impossible to even imagine that someone could have made an adaptation of the novel Tikhiy Don (actors, script, structure, movie atmosphere) is better than S. Gerasimov did. Because, looking at his creation, the viewer not only appreciates the actors' play and the director’s efforts, he really lives through the drama of the heroes. The work of the entire team working on the project is doomed to good and long glory, as it is done with conscience and soul. Even now, despite the venerable age and a certain specificity, the film "Quiet Don" (the actors of which were named above) looks quite lively. It remains to once again express gratitude to the performers and creators for their highly artistic creation, which can safely be called great, like the novel by Mikhail Sholokhov himself.