The TV adaptation has everything that should be in an epic production - on-location scenery, stunning acting, fast-moving plot and a great soundtrack. The characters came alive in the series in a way they never did in the novel. I loved Sergei Makovetsky as Wolf Karlovitch! Makovetsky elevates all of his scenes. I loved how the series made Nastya, portrayed by Yulia Peresild, more prominent in the story.
Yevgennii Morozov is a revelation as Ivan Ignatov! Morozov has such range as an actor and makes Commandant Ignatov sympathetic. Morozov has a gift for comedy! His scenes with Roman Madyanov are very entertaining.
But just as I did reading the novel, I felt no emotional connection to Zuleikha. Neither the book or the series illuminates Zuleikha's inner life. I love Chulpan Khamatova. But Zuleikha, in the book and the series, remains an under-developed character who I never felt I understood.
Yevgennii Morozov is a revelation as Ivan Ignatov! Morozov has such range as an actor and makes Commandant Ignatov sympathetic. Morozov has a gift for comedy! His scenes with Roman Madyanov are very entertaining.
But just as I did reading the novel, I felt no emotional connection to Zuleikha. Neither the book or the series illuminates Zuleikha's inner life. I love Chulpan Khamatova. But Zuleikha, in the book and the series, remains an under-developed character who I never felt I understood.