An Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano (1977)

Early in the 20th century, family and friends gather at the country estate of a general's widow, Anna Petrovna. Sofia, the new wife of Anna's step-son, recognizes Misha, the brother-in-law ... See full summary »

Director:

Nikita Mikhalkov

Writers:

Aleksandr Adabashyan (as A. Adabashyan), Anton Chekhov (play) (as A. P. Chekhov)

Stars:

Aleksandr Kalyagin, Elena Solovey, Evgeniya Glushenko

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Aleksandr Kalyagin	...	Mikhail Vassilyevich Platonov
Elena Solovey	...	Sophia Yegorovna
Evgeniya Glushenko	...	Sashenka
Antonina Shuranova	...	Anna Petrovna Voynitseva
Yuriy Bogatyryov	...	Sergey Pavlovich Voynitsev
Oleg Tabakov	...	Pavel Petrovich Shcherbuk
Nikolai Pastukhov	...	Porfiriy Semyonovich Glagolyev
Pavel Kadochnikov	...	Ivan Ivanovich Triletskiy
Nikita Mikhalkov	...	Nikolay Ivanovich Triletskiy
Anatoliy Romashin	...	Gerasim Kuzmich Petrin
Natalya Nazarova	...	Verochka
Kseniya Minina	...	Lizochka
Sergey Nikonenko	...	Yakov
Sergei Guryev	...	Petechka (as Seryozha Guryev)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Svetlana Bashlykova	...	(as S. Bashlykova)

Storyline

Early in the 20th century, family and friends gather at the country estate of a general's widow, Anna Petrovna. Sofia, the new wife of Anna's step-son, recognizes Misha, the brother-in-law of one of the widow's admirers: a few years before, they had been idealistic lovers and now she can't believe he has settled for a dim wife and a job as a teacher. Amidst parlor games and idle talk of women's rights and peasants' capabilities, Sofia and Misha rekindle their love. Will they flaunt convention, abandon families, and run away to pursue lost dreams? Rescue comes from an unexpected place.

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Plot Keywords:

love | russia | upper class | old love | thirty something | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Goofs

In a scene towards the end of the film where Platonov storms down a hallway, he walks past a person just to his right who is clearly a crew member wearing modern clothing and holding a piece of equipment.

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Connections

Version of BBC Play of the Month: Platonov (1971)

User Reviews

this film is perfect!

If you read Anton Chekhov, you will not find this story in his plays. However, this film was made by Chekhov. If you love his works and if you are able to feel their spirit, you will love this wonderful film. Because the main intention was to feel and reproduce this unique atmosphere of Chekhov's works. Mikhalkov did it perfectly. I have to say, it's very hard thing as there are actually very few good films made by Chekhov's plays and later stories. Mikhalkov reproduced this boredom of insignificant people's lives and despair of the main character (Mikhail Platonov). Chekhov is my favorite author and I guess I know what is good and what is bad in those films by his works. If Chekhov's name isn't just a name for you, you HAVE TO get this film and watch it!!! It's the best film by Chekhov I've ever seen.

Details

Country:

Soviet Union

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

5 September 1977 (Soviet Union)

Also Known As:

Platanov

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,047

Company Credits

Production Co:

Inter Allianz Film, Mosfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1