One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1970)

Fly-on-the-wall treatment of an ordinary day in the life of a prisoner in Stalin's Gulag. Closely adapted from Solzhenitsyn's classic novel based on his own experiences. Shot entirely on ... See full summary »

Director:

Caspar Wrede

Writers:

Ronald Harwood, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (novel)

Stars:

Tom Courtenay, Espen Skjønberg, Alf Malland

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Tom Courtenay	...	Ivan Denisovich
Espen Skjønberg	...	Tiurin
Alf Malland	...	Fetiukov
Frimann Falck Clausen	...	Senka
Jo Skønberg	...	Gopchik
Odd Jan Sandsdalen	...	Eino
Torstein Rustdal	...	Vaino
James Maxwell	...	Captain
Alfred Burke	...	Alyosha
Eric Thompson	...	Tsetzar
John Cording	...	Pavlo
Matthew Guinness	...	Kilgas
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Roy Bjørnstad
Paul Connell
Sverre Hansen

Storyline

Fly-on-the-wall treatment of an ordinary day in the life of a prisoner in Stalin's Gulag. Closely adapted from Solzhenitsyn's classic novel based on his own experiences. Shot entirely on location in northern Norway.

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Plot Keywords:

gulag | prisoner | foreign language adaptation | soviet union | snow | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK Norway

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 1970 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

En dag i Ivan Denisovitsj' liv

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Group W Films LLC, Leontes, Norsk Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Quotes

[Ivan is told the Communist Party has decreed the sun reaches zenith one hour after noon.]
Ivan Denisovich: Can they even tell the sun what to do?

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Connections

Featured in Casper och den förbjudna filmen (2009)

User Reviews

Cinematic experience

The comments of Mr. Dabell reveal what we value as 'cinematic experience' in the early 21st century - affect, false emotion, and illusion. 'One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich' is a great film and an extra-ordinary cinematic experience not only because it is "well acted & directed", but also because it is true to Solzhenitsyn's book and the real & horrific experience of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Russians & other nationals in the USSR during Stalin's tyranny. If this is boring to Mr. Dabell perhaps he would have found the reality of building the prison camp & shooting the film in -30 degrees more interesting or perhaps he needs to read & understand the history of the 20th century more carefully. When the reality of the suffering of millions of fellow human beings becomes 'boring' we have by definition jetisoned part of out humanity, and failed to understand the difference between art and mere entertainment. As Solzhenitsyn wrote to my father (the director Casper Wrede) ".. you have made a good film, true to the truth, to the mood, to the feeling. I thank you, and I congratulate you with your success." What other review is necessary?