Michel Strogoff (1926)

Director:

Viktor Tourjansky

Writers:

Jules Verne (novel), Boris de Fast,

Stars:

Ivan Mozzhukhin, Nathalie Kovanko, Acho Chakatouny

Cast

Credited cast:
Ivan Mozzhukhin	...	Michael Strogoff
Nathalie Kovanko	...	Nadia Fedor
Acho Chakatouny	...	Ivan Ogareff
Jeanne Brindeau	...	Maria Strogoff
Marie-Louise Vois	...	Zaugara (as Tina de Yzarduy)
M. Debas	...	Enur Feifar
Eugène Gaidaroff	...	Tzar Alexandre of Russia
Micolas Kougoucheff	...	General Kissoff (as N. Nougoucheff)
Henri Debain	...	Harry Blount
Boris de Fast	...	Féofar-Khan
Gabriel de Gravone	...	Alcide Jolivet
Vladimir Kvanin	...	Wassili Feodoroff, Nadia's father
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nicolas Koline

Storyline

---

Plot Keywords:

based on novel | character name in title

---

Genres:

Adventure

---

Details

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French German

Release Date:

1927 (Turkey)

Also Known As:

Der Kurier des Zaren

Filming Locations:

Lettonia, Latvia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ciné France, Deulig Europa-Produktion, Films de France

Technical Specs

Runtime:

168 min 168 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White Color (2-strip Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

4,000 soldiers, including cavalrymen, were loaned by the Latvian army to portray the Russian and Tartar armies, and the battles were filmed outside Riga on large plains, which simulated the Siberian steppes.

---

Connections

Version of Michael Strogoff (1914)

User Reviews

Beautiful and sweeping

This is a gorgeous and visually exciting film, which has held up exceptionally well in the 80 years since it was made. The story is quite fast-paced, considering its length and the absence of dialogue except for the titles. Since silent movies have to depend on much more physical acting to get across the story, moods and personalities of the characters, they can often lapse into sluggish spells, with actors piling up the emoting to get the message over. Not this film. The acting for the most part is very natural, and Mosjoukine is so sensitive and accomplished that he can convey every type of emotion as easily and efficiently as a modern actor, with all the advantages of sound. I really can't say enough about his performance; he does everything - humor, shyness, pride, rage, shame, love - you name it.

There's one scene where he's overjoyed that his horse has managed to find him in the midst of a warzone, only for it to be shot dead a moment later by attacking Tartars. The way he goes in a few second from a sort of quiet joy to heartbroken grief over this poor horse is just breathtaking. He was obviously a professional of the highest quality, and it's a pity he's nearly forgotten today. At least this film is beautifully restored, and may introduce people to an actor who deserves to be counted among the great performers of silent film.