Testimony (1988)

The story of the great Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) and his life and career during the rule of Stalin.

Director:

Tony Palmer

Writers:

Tony Palmer, David Rudkin,

Stars:

Ben Kingsley, Sherry Baines, Magdalen Asquith

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Kingsley	...	Dmitri Shostakovich
Sherry Baines	...	Nina Shostakovich
Magdalen Asquith	...	Galya Shostakovich
Mark Asquith	...	Maxim Shostakovich
Terence Rigby	...	Joseph Stalin
Ronald Pickup	...	Marshall Tukhachevsky
John Shrapnel	...	Andre Zhdanov
Robert Reynolds	...	Brutus
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Gargolovsky
Colin Hurst	...	Stalin's Secretary
Joyce Grundy	...	Stalin's Mother
Mark Thrippleton	...	Young Stalin
Liza Goddard	...	The English Humanist
Peter Woodthorpe	...	Alexander Glazunov
Robert Stephens	...	Vsevolod Meyerhold

Storyline

The story of the great Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) and his life and career during the rule of Stalin.

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Plot Keywords:

russian history | deathbed | piston | sherlock holmes | classical music | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Denmark Netherlands Sweden West Germany UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Zeugenaussage

Filming Locations:

Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Isolde Films, The Mandemar Group, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

157 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last cinema film of Robert Urquhart.

User Reviews

One of the greatest movies ever made

Testimony would be a firm and undoubted entry on my list of the ten greatest films ever made.

I'm not really interested in the debate over whether this movie is a 'true' portrayal of the composer. I'm only really considering it as a piece of cinematic art. From that point of view, it is a masterpiece, a classic. It's not a traditional movie. It is like a completely different, fresh approach. It is closer to masterpieces like 'Nosferatu' or 'the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' than to any modern film. In some ways it is like an extended video clip - a montage of narration, sight and sound. It leaves unforgettable images on the mind.

Everything about this movie is first class. It is a very contrasty, noir B&W movie which fully utilises the artistic possibilities of that medium. I won't detail the greatest images, because that would spoil it. But there are many very powerful moments that are unforgettable and loaded with meaning. The narration and script are masterly. The powerful music of Shostakovitch is completely integrated. That music is difficult and complex, and to reveal it to the viewer and to make the viewer love it is a wonderful feat. The acting is first class, equal to the best ever seen on screen. Kingsley's performance as Shostakovitch is extraordinary. Terence Rigby, who I think of as a ham actor but whose presence in a movie is often very powerful, conveys silent menace as Stalin. Images, sound and acting can scarcely be bettered.

This movie is about a true genius and artist living at a time when the image and cult of one man totally dominates the whole of society and where any question over loyalty to that figure is deadly. But ultimately this movie is only about itself. It's not really about Shostakovitch any more than a Caravaggio is a comment on society. The question is whether it completely grips for its whole length. It does.