Vysotsky: Thank God I'm Alive (2011)

Russian poet, singer and actor Vladimir Vysotsky was an idol of the 1970s and '80s. In 1980, at the age of 42, he passed away during the Moscow Olympic Games. This is the story of his last ... See full summary »

Director:

Pyotr Buslov

Writer:

Nikita Vysotskiy

Stars:

Sergey Bezrukov, Oksana Akinshina, Andrey Smolyakov

5 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Sergey Bezrukov	...	Vladimir Vysotsky / Yura
Oksana Akinshina	...	Tatyana Ivleva
Andrey Smolyakov	...	Polkovnik KGB Viktor Bekhteev
Ivan Urgant	...	Seva Kulagin
Maksim Leonidov	...	Pavel Leonidov
Vladimir Ilin
Andrey Panin	...	Anatoly Nefyodov
Dmitriy Astrakhan	...	Leonid Fridman
Anna Ardova
Vladimir Menshov
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Irina Byakova
Igor Chernevich
Furkat Faiziyev
Shukhrat Irgashev	...	General KGB Israilov
Vladimir Kapustin

Storyline

Russian poet, singer and actor Vladimir Vysotsky was an idol of the 1970s and '80s. In 1980, at the age of 42, he passed away during the Moscow Olympic Games. This is the story of his last great love as handed down to his son from a family friend.

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Plot Keywords:

actor | 1980s | singer songwriter | controversy | prison | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Russia]

Country:

Russia

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

1 December 2011 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Vysotsky: Thank God I'm Alive

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$11,157,044 (Russia), 4 December 2011, Wide Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Direktsiya Informatsionnykh Programm Obshchestvennogo Rossiyskogo Televideniya (DIP ORT), Monumental Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The producers wanted people to see the "real" Vladimir Vysotskiy instead of the actor who played him. This involved the actor wearing a latex mask as well as make-up to make him look exactly like Vysotskiy with additional CGI used in some scenes, his voice being dubbed by Vysotskiy's son Nikita Vysotskiy and his name being kept secret for several months (including not crediting him in the movie). Only in 2012 Sergey Bezrukov admitted that he played the role of Vysotskiy.

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Soundtracks

Akh, milyy Vanya, Ya gulyayu po Parizhu
Written and Music by Vladimir Vysotskiy
Performed by Ivan Urgant

User Reviews

Great MAN not the movie

Well first of all sorry for my English, i should have prepared this speech, but i can't leave it like this and go to sleep after reading the upper post. I wouldn't like to vote for this movie, it's not easy, because the MAN who was loved by millions of people was shown in such pity way. OK Russian cinematography leaves much to be desired this time, and most of those who have seen this movie consider that this MAN doesn't deserve such a memory. BUT! How can anybody say about this person in a manner like that.. i just can't find the words. Vladimir Vysotsky was the greatest poet, singer and actor of the 20'th century (ok in Russia) and nobody can judge him without knowing what the person he was and what he did for Russian people. His original nature, inexhaustible energy and magic voice make everybody better whether you see him playing or hear him singing, it makes your heart melt and tears flow. Yes his life was not easy, he suffered on this earth like Jesus, he loved his motherland and he never tried to escape from that hell abroad like others did that time. But he couldn't feel himself free anywhere. That was his tragedy. But he was given the great gift - the great woman's love. Marina Vlady sacrificed her life and career and that was the most beautiful and fantastic love i've seen ever. His lyrics are so strong and full of value, lots of themes like war, love, repression and human being. Just read his lyrics and maybe you'll understand Russian soul. Here in English my favourite song and lots of others with original rhymes http://www.wysotsky.com/1033.htm?521 I can write endlessly about this person and i will always lack the words to describe his nature, but you can read Marina's book and just have your own opinion about Vladimir Vysotsky or just listen to his songs and if your heart doesn't beat faster, well then this world is rolling the wrong way.. here are some links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdCyOJf0v4A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEum0Yhan4w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e44k8mJv3t4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRXaiy65SGw&feature=related and the only video of that great love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T3MILrOIAQ and finally here you can see Moscow in July 1980, when the Olympic games took place but everybody came to say good bye to him, though the funeral was not announced. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYrDvBX77KI&feature=related