A historical drama that illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things.
Director:
Michael Hoffman
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Title: Ein russischer Sommer (2009)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Helen Mirren | ... | ||
| Christopher Plummer | ... | ||
| Paul Giamatti | ... | ||
| James McAvoy | ... | ||
| John Sessions | ... | ||
| Patrick Kennedy | ... |
Sergeyenko
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| Kerry Condon | ... | ||
| Anne-Marie Duff | ... | ||
| Tomas Spencer | ... |
Andrey
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Christian Gaul | ... |
Ivan
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Wolfgang Häntsch | ... |
Priest
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David Masterson | ... |
Reporter
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Anastasia Tolstoy | ... |
Mourning Girl
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The Countess Sofya, wife and muse to Leo Tolstoy, uses every trick of seduction on her husband's loyal disciple, whom she believes was the person responsible for Tolstoy signing a new will that leaves his work and property to the Russian people. Written by IMDb Editors
Taglines:
Intoxicating. Infuriating. Impossible. Love.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
26 February 2010 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Ein russischer Sommer See more »Box Office
Budget:
€13,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$94,093 (USA) (15 January 2010)Gross:
$6,615,578 (USA) (11 June 2010)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Sofya Tolstaya: Of course.
Leo Tolstoy: But God knows you don't make it easy!
Sofya Tolstaya: Why should it be easy? I am the work of your life, you are the work of mine. That's what love is!
See more »
from "Madama Butterfly"
Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Miriam Gauci (Soprano), Symfonický orchester Slovenského rozhlasu (as CSR Symphony Orchestra)
Conducted by Alexander Rahbari
Licensed courtesy of Naxos Rights International Ltd.
Libretto by Luigi Illica (uncredited) and Giuseppe Giacosa (uncredited)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The station at the small German town of Pretzsch stood in for the Russian station of the title at Astapovo. This meant closing the Pretzsch station for two weeks and decorating it with Russian props and signs. See more »Goofs
Early in the film one of the characters refers to "flashbulbs," when there was no such thing in 1910 and in fact later in the film photographers are shown using trays of flash powder. See more »Quotes
Leo Tolstoy: Despite good cause for it, I have never stopped loving you.Sofya Tolstaya: Of course.
Leo Tolstoy: But God knows you don't make it easy!
Sofya Tolstaya: Why should it be easy? I am the work of your life, you are the work of mine. That's what love is!
See more »
Crazy Credits
Special thanks to Samantha - Atticus - Phoebe - Olivia Jade - Joseph - Jasper Rosa - Richard - Cathy - Ben - Leo See more »Soundtracks
Un bel dì vedremofrom "Madama Butterfly"
Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Miriam Gauci (Soprano), Symfonický orchester Slovenského rozhlasu (as CSR Symphony Orchestra)
Conducted by Alexander Rahbari
Licensed courtesy of Naxos Rights International Ltd.
Libretto by Luigi Illica (uncredited) and Giuseppe Giacosa (uncredited)
See more »
This was an excellent historical film based on the relationship between Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) and his wife, Sofya (Helen Mirren), during Tolstoy's final years. The film also explores Tolstoy's relationship with his Assistant, Valentin (James McAvoy) and his cabal of acolytes, lead by Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti). The main tension comes between Vladimir, who wants Tolstoy to bequeath his copyrights to "The Russian People" and Sofya, who naturally would like the copyrights reserved for herself and family.
Mirren earned an Oscar nomination for Lead Actress and Plummer received one for Supporting Actor. I believe both were well earned. I liked the performance from the entire cast, particularly McAvoy as the adoring Assistant to Tolstoy. The screenplay was excellent and the Director, Michael Hoffman, did an outstanding job bringing pre-Communist Russia to life. The time period is 1910 and the cinematography beautifully captured the era. During the closing credits, actual film of Tolstoy and his Wife was run, underscoring what a great job the Director did in filming this.
A great movie and well worth seeing or renting.