Vechera na khutore bliz Dikanki (1961)

Director:

Aleksandr Rou

Writers:

Nikolai Gogol (story), Aleksandr Rou

Stars:

Aleksandr Khvylya, L. Myznikova, Yuri Tavrov

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aleksandr Khvylya	...	Chub
L. Myznikova	...	Oksana
Yuri Tavrov	...	Vakula (as Yu. Tavrov)
Lyudmila Khityaeva	...	Solokha
Sergei Martinson	...	Osip, the Sacristan
Anatoli Kubatsky	...	Panas
Vera Altayskaya	...	Wife of Panas
Dmitriy Kapka	...	Shanuvalenko
Nikolay Yakovchenko	...	Patsyuk
M. Sidorchuk	...	Odarka
Aleksandr Radunsky	...	The Head (as A. Radunsky)
Georgiy Millyar	...	The Devil
Aleksei Smirnov
Mikhail Troyanovsky
Aleksandr Demyanenko

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

18th century | goblin | night | countryside | blacksmith | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Details

Country:

Soviet Union

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

15 December 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gorky Film Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Christmas Eve (1913)

User Reviews

Wonderfully funny fantasy

In the best tradition of Soviet fantasy, Dikanka is entertaining from start to finish. There isn't much a plot (hijinks during the night), but the practical effects are charming, and I laughed harder than I had in a long time.

The best element is the Devil himself. Rather than a figure of fear and evil, the Devil is a hairy, silly fellow who keeps busy by tormenting a blacksmith who drew a religious picture that the Devil found particularly offensive. In addition, there are a horde of lusty and/or drunken townsmen, and a cameo by the Tsarina herself. Also, a "Three's Company"-esquire set piece where character after character must hide out in the local witch's hut.