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 | world war ii veteran | veteran | gulag | prisoner | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Quotes

[Ivan is told the Communist Party has decreed the sun reaches zenith one hour after noon]
Ivan Denisovich: Can they even tell the sun what to do?

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Connections

Featured in Casper och den förbjudna filmen (2009)

User Reviews

The right to see and appreciate

I saw One Day in the theater on its first release. My wife and I were totally enthralled and disturbed by the plotting, realism and impact of this visual story. To this day I recall many scenes: I still get chills, real and literal, when I recall the crunching of the snow and see Nyquist's filming of the boots marching to work in the Siberian cold as the sun rises. Or the prisoner who wears the extra clothes and is punished by having to endure the Siberian night outside.

There may be those who do not not care for this film: Maltin's movie guide describes it as "Another instance where a novel was just too difficult to film," and I could not more strongly disagree. However, sometimes reviews affect decisions on seeing the movie, and, in my opinion, that would be a loss for anyone who appreciates a conscientiously, well made film. So, I recommend that everyone who has not see this film, appreciate its beauty and craftsmanship if you can, but you have the right to judge for yourself, so exercise that right.

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)