Charodei (1982) (TV)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Konstantin Bromberg

Writers:

Arkadi Strugatsky (screenplay)
Arkadi Strugatsky (story)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance | Sci-Fi

Plot:

In a small Russian town, there is a Research Institute for magic. One of the witches, Alyona Sanina...

Plot Keywords:

Magic | Witch | Research Institute | Singing | Male Female Relationship

Cast

Aleksandra Yakovleva-Aasmyae	...	Alyona Igorevna Sanina (as Aleksandra Yakovleva)
Aleksandr Abdulov	...	Ivan Sergeevich Puhov
Yekaterina Vasilyeva	...	Kira Anatolyevna Shemahanskaya
Valentin Gaft	...	Apollon Mitrofanovich Sataneev
Yevgeni Vesnik
Valeriy Zolotukhin	...	Ivan Kivrin
Emmanuil Vitorgan	...	Kovrov
Mikhail Svetin	...	Foma Ostapych Bryl
Roman Filippov	...	Modest Kamneyedov
Anna Ashimova	...	Nina Puhova (as Anya Ashimova)
Semyon Farada	...	Gost' s Yuga (Guest from South)
Ye. Abramova	...	Verochka
I. Belger	...	Katenka
V. Smolyanitskaya	...	A master of a speaking cat
Liliya Makeyeva	...	Sekretarsha (as L. Makeyeva)

Also Known As:

Чародеи (Soviet Union: Russian title)
Magicians

Runtime:

160 min

Country:

Soviet Union

Language:

Russian

Color:

Color

Company:

Gosteleradio

Soundtrack:

Predstavte Sebe

Great movie for New Year's Eve or a lazy Sunday afternoon

Yes, the movie is not at all faithful to the book. Yes, it has a cheesy plot, low-budget cinematography and 19th century special effects. But none of these things can take away from the charm of this picture. The acting is simple and the actors are adorable (young Abdulov rocks!). Many of the lines from the movie have since become everyday phrases (eg: "Nu ktozh tak stroit!") and several of the songs immortal ("Pesenka pro kostyumchik," "Tri Belix Konya"). And the sentimental value of the good ol' Soviet rudeness and bureaucracy is immeasurable.

If you understand Russian, have spent any time in USSR, and love fairy tales for adults, you'll love this movie.