In 1976, the Italian film director Valerio Dzurlini, who had previously preferred the creation of anti-war, politicized and lyrical paintings, decided to film the adaptation of the novel by Dino Buzzati. So the film “Tartari Desert” appeared, discussing the topic of finding an individual and all of humanity in a kind of “border situation”, that is, almost on the edge of the grave. Six years after the premiere, the filmmaker, who has no longer taken a single tape, ends his life by suicide. Therefore, the project can be considered prophetic. Film adaptation rating IMDb: 7.60.
Plot
At the center of the Tartari Desert narrative, the main character Giovanni Drogo (Jacques Perrin), after graduating from a military school in 1907, is sent to a remote garrison based on the territory of the Bastiano fortress to serve. The garrison is in constant combat readiness, in anticipation of an attack by the superior forces of the formidable enemy - mythical "Tatars". Days flicker, months fly, years pass. Giovanni never leaves the walls of the garrison. And when he, already old and sick, goes home, immediately after his departure the attack of the enemy begins.
Copyright delights
Valerio Dzurlini deliberately reduces the mystery and mystery of history, saturating the already expressive parable of history with a detailed study of the psychological component of the characters' characters. In individual episodes, the plot is perceived as a life, real story, but a tangible sense of fear of something unknown gives the film a metaphorical meaning. Unlike the author of the literary source, the director leaves the viewer with a certain hope for a successful outcome. In the novel, the main character dies.
According to authoritative artists, the film should be taken as an allegory of the earthly being of man in anticipation of eternal life. Although other movie experts view anti-militaristic and anti-totalitarian pathos in the film.
Acting Ensemble
The film "Desert of Tartari" is considered one of the most stellar projects in the history of cinema. Even episodic roles in the film are played by famous actors, mainly French and Italian. The idea of an adaptation was initially fired by Jacques Perrin himself. The director already had experience working with a great actor, so he agreed to take part in the creation of the tape. Perrin himself joined the production team of the film. However, according to critics, the most successful can be considered the embodiment of the image of the autocratic major Mattis actor Giuliano Gemma. Also in the movie were Vittorio Gassman, Fernando Rey, Max von Syudov and many others.