Onegin (1999)

In the opulent St. Petersburg of the Empire period, Eugene Onegin is a jaded but dashing aristocrat - a man often lacking in empathy, who suffers from restlessness, melancholy and, finally,... See full summary »

Director:

Martha Fiennes

Writers:

Peter Ettedgui (screenplay), Alexander Pushkin (poem),

Stars:

Ralph Fiennes, Liv Tyler, Toby Stephens

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Fiennes	...	Onegin
Liv Tyler	...	Tatyana
Toby Stephens	...	Lensky
Lena Headey	...	Olga
Martin Donovan	...	Prince Nikitin
Alun Armstrong	...	Zaretsky
Simon McBurney	...	Triquet
Harriet Walter	...	Madame Larina
Jason Watkins	...	Guillot
Irene Worth	...	Princess Alina
Gwenllian Davies	...	Anisia
Margery Withers	...	Nanya
Geoffrey McGivern	...	Andrey Petrovitch
Tim McMullan	...	Dandy 1
Tim Potter	...	Dandy 2

Storyline

In the opulent St. Petersburg of the Empire period, Eugene Onegin is a jaded but dashing aristocrat - a man often lacking in empathy, who suffers from restlessness, melancholy and, finally, regret. Through his best friend Lensky, Onegin is introduced to the young Tatiana. A passionate and virtuous girl, she soon falls hopelessly under the spell of the aloof newcomer and professes her love for him.

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Plot Keywords:

love | friend | horse drawn sleigh carriage | poetry | jealousy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief violence and a sexual image

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

5 February 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anyegin

Filming Locations:

Alresford, Hampshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,855 (USA) (17 December 1999)

Gross:

$183,821 (USA) (31 March 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

7 Arts International, Baby Productions, CanWest Global Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Martha Fiennes, the director, Ralph Fiennes, the star and executive director, and Magnus Fiennes, the composer, are all siblings. Additionally, another sister, Sophie Fiennes, Martha's husband, George Tiffin, Ralph's partner, Francesca Annis, and Magnus' wife Maya Fiennes, were all involved in the film.

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Goofs

Ortodox Tatiana's Naming Day is January 26, but it is summertime in the movie.

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Quotes

Nanya: You can't change your fate.
Tatyana Larina: Why not?

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Connections

Version of Evgeniy Onegin (1984)

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Soundtracks

"Name Day Waltz"
Traditional

User Reviews

Lyrical and passionate

I have to say that I was a bit hesitant about seeing this film for several reasons. I had read Onegin in the original Russian, and frankly I mistrusted the abilities of a film-maker to convey a true sense of the story and the life and mood of Imperial Russia while also catering to the tastes of modern film audiences. But as a fan of the work of Ralph Fiennes and Toby Stephens, I took the chance on this film, and I am glad that I did. Onegin was fantastic. I have to agree that this film is not for action fans, but everything came together spectacularly in Onegin: the acting, the dialogue, the haunting music, the beautiful cinematography, the subtle timing and angle of each shot in the film. I was, moreover, surprised by the superb acting of Liv Tyler. The high point of the film, with the unveiling of Tatiana's letter and Onegin's growing passion, is well worth the anticipation. Fienne's portrayal of Onegin is realistic, absolutely riveting... He is a man jaded by opulence and overindulgence, trapped in his indolence and boredom, cool and reasoning and underneath it all, absolutely miserable, a man who comes to realize too late what flames of passion burn within him, which he attempts to "beat down with his reason"... His torment creates the most compelling kind of tragedy: the tragedy that compels us to consider what might have been. My rating: 9/10