One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1970)

Ivan Denisovich Shukhov has been sentenced to a camp in the Soviet gulag system. He was accused of becoming a spy after being captured briefly by the Germans as a prisoner of war during ... See full summary »

Director:

Casper Wrede (as Caspar Wrede)

Writers:

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (novel), Ronald Harwood (screenplay)

Stars:

Tom Courtenay, Espen Skjønberg, Alf Malland

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Courtenay	...	Ivan Denisovich
Espen Skjønberg	...	Tiurin
Alf Malland	...	Fetiukov
Frimann Falck Clausen	...	Senka
Jo Skønberg	...	Gopchik
Wolfe Morris
Odd Jan Sandsdalen	...	Eino
Torstein Rustdal	...	Vaino
James Maxwell	...	Captain
Alfred Burke	...	Alyosha
Paul Connell
Eric Thompson	...	Tsetzar
John Cording	...	Pavlo
Lars Nordrum
Matthew Guinness	...	Kilgas

Storyline

Ivan Denisovich Shukhov has been sentenced to a camp in the Soviet gulag system. He was accused of becoming a spy after being captured briefly by the Germans as a prisoner of war during World War II. He is innocent, but is sentenced to ten years in a forced labor camp. The day begins with Shukhov waking up sick. For waking late, he is forced to clean the guardhouse, but this is a comparatively minor punishment. When Shukhov is finally able to leave the guardhouse, he goes to the dispensary to report his illness. It is relatively late in the morning by this time, however, so the orderly is unable to exempt any more workers and Shukhov must work. Based on the life of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

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Plot Keywords:

1950s | veteran | world war two veteran | gulag | prisoner | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ivan Denisovich: The end of an unclouded day. Almost a happy one. Just one of the 3,653 days of his sentence, from bell to bell. The extra three were for leap years.

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Connections

Remake of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1963)

User Reviews

As depressing as the book.. a true work of art..read the book first

I searched long and hard for a copy of this film and when I found it.. I was not disappointed. Depressing, dark, heavy, without hope.. Just like the book was written to make you feel! I wanted the film to end... release me... but I could not turn the VCR off. I was glued. No matter what your lot.. this film will make you feel glad you are not in that Hell-hole of a camp...You have your human dignity.

I have never seen a film that so closely follows the book from which it was adapted. Not adapted.. transcribed, almost word for word. The performances seen surreal, flat, hollow, lifeless. Not even an extra touch of art to shore up your sinking feelings as you plunge head first into utter hopelessness.

View this movie if you can find it... You will be happy you did.. and happier still when it is over. Your problems won't seem so bad!

Details

Country:

UK Norway USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1970 (Norway)

Also Known As:

En dag i Ivan Denisovitsj' liv

Filming Locations:

Røros, Norway

Box Office

Gross USA:

$669,584

Company Credits

Production Co:

Group W, Norsk Film, Leontes

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)