Re: Questionalek_morseSeptember 6 2007, 01:15:56 UTC
///I was still very amused when he went galloping off on his horse looking very much the cowboy! :)///
As Russians said: отвести душу... That approximately means - to express own personal emotions... All these foundations, sever English customs, British reserve and a morning porridge, of course, are a bit devoid to Sir Henry. Besides, he could be a cowboy from the Wild West. Why not?
///Another character I really liked in the Russian version was their Mr. Frankland. I think they found a great actor for him, and it was a very entertaining portrayal. ///
I agree... Sergey Martinson is legendary actor. He was favorite actor of theatrical director Meyerhold who thought up new Method of actor play in 1920s - the Bio-mechanics (Биомеханика). This Method meant that an actor think up at first how must to move his body, hands, foots i.e. the eurthytnmics, and then a sense come up in this form. That Method is absolute opposite one to psychological Stanislavski Method, as Meyerhold declared. On a common view, such actor's play was expressive grotesque. That's why, I think, Sergey Martinson brilliantly performed Hitler in the length 'New Adventures of brave soldier Shveik' (based on Yaroslav Gashek's novel). By the way, Martinson played Hitler yet in propaganda mini-films filmed during the Second World War. Here is the mini-review I have found in book 'The actors by Soviet Cinema' (1962):
"In first war years, the performance of Hitler could be level to formidable, mortal shot. Martinson's Hitler is raging Fuhrer , dangerous idiot, which must be shoot by any philanthrope. The actor don't "colour by nuances" this mood. He as if moves, acts, plays in a plan of witty devastating paper caricature..."
///Did you read the Holmes books/stories before you saw the Livanov series? I read all of them long before I ever saw any depictions of holmes on screen, and HOUND has always been my favorite story...///
Oh, yet one very very interesting question. The first Livanov episodes were showed on TV in 1980 when I was six years. I remember how my parents send me (and my older sister) to slip, because the film was starting in 22.00 (10 PM, if I'm not mistaken). It was quite late time for baby ;))) My sister was waiting when I as if fall asleep and, then, was returning to the sitting room. But I was standing up and going to telly too :)
Unfortunately, there was the deficit (a shortage of things in shops) in USSR. The book deficit was one of the most strong. There was a paradox - the citizens of USSR read very much, but if you wanted to buy a good book, instance Conan Doyle, you must to find 70-100 kg of waste-paper, then, in exchange of it to receive special coupon in book office, after a few months, finally, to stand through a long queue (like the queue for Harry Potter now)... So, my parents had not fair library, because I came up to my grandma, I became to find books by Jack London to read Sherlock Holmes stories. :)
So, I have to say, that I have seen the first four films (except 'XX century begins...) before I have read Conan Doyle. As for my favorite stories, I'd say 'Sing of Four', 'Creeping Man', 'Devil's Foot'... Though, it wouldn't be right to select favorite among splendid Doyle stories, I think.
Re: QuestiongaslitlondonSeptember 6 2007, 03:28:42 UTC
[[The first Livanov episodes were showed on TV in 1980]]
I knew 1980 was a good year! The year I was born and a new Holmes series!
[[Unfortunately, there was the deficit (a shortage of things in shops) in USSR. The book deficit was one of the most strong. There was a paradox - the citizens of USSR read very much, but if you wanted to buy a good book, instance Conan Doyle, you must to find 70-100 kg of waste-paper, then, in exchange of it to receive special coupon in book office, after a few months, finally, to stand through a long queue (like the queue for Harry Potter now)...]]
Wow. I knew there was a deficit on a lot of thinks in the USSR, but I hadn't realized there was such a severe one on books! That really tells you something about a country and its people - that the process of getting books to read was so difficult, and yet people were still willing to go through it and stand in queues, because reading was that important to them. While it was a bad situation, the evidence of the power of books and reading makes me smile.
When I was growing up in the 80's, there were plenty of books, but many of my friends weren't interested in reading, because it was the start of all the video games like Nintendo. I was the odd one because I spent so much time reading! :)
[[Though, it wouldn't be right to select favorite among splendid Doyle stories, I think.]]
I cannot argue with that. I can see many different film versions, but my favorite Holmes and Watson will always be the ones on the page.
Re: Questionalek_morseSeptember 6 2007, 03:53:34 UTC
///Wow. I knew there was a deficit on a lot of thinks in the USSR, but I hadn't realized there was such a severe one on books! ///
This deficit was spread on, in generally, just the Adventure literary, for example: Conan Doyle, Alexander Duma, Stevenson, Chesterton etc + science fiction. On contrary, the national classic literary, as a rule, was in free trading (instance, Alexander Pushkin, Lermontov...).
///That really tells you something about a country and its people - that the process of getting books to read was so difficult, and yet people were still willing to go through it and stand in queues, because reading was that important to them.///
Perhaps... In any way, it is right regarding to 1960s-1980s. By the way, that why Soviet/Russian cinema did such faithful adaptations of classic literary.
Re: Questionalek_morseSeptember 6 2007, 04:17:33 UTC
///I cannot argue with that. I can see many different film versions, but my favorite Holmes and Watson will always be the ones on the page. ///
I just wanted to say that almost all Doyle's stories are excellent ones, except, may be, three-four ones (instance, 'Mazarin Stone' or 'Case of Identity'). Perhaps, I'm wrong to don't enter HOUND in my favorite list. May be, I rate 'Sing of Four' a bit over than 'Hound' of that in the 'Sing' there is Watson's line, which changes the fates of Holmes and Watson.
Re: QuestiongaslitlondonSeptember 6 2007, 14:03:16 UTC
[[Perhaps... In any way, it is right regarding to 1960s-1980s. By the way, that why Soviet/Russian cinema did such faithful adaptations of classic literary.]]
That makes a lot of sense. Making up for the deficit by presenting it in a different medium.
[[I just wanted to say that almost all Doyle's stories are excellent ones, except, may be, three-four ones (instance, 'Mazarin Stone' or 'Case of Identity'). Perhaps, I'm wrong to don't enter HOUND in my favorite list. May be, I rate 'Sing of Four' a bit over than 'Hound' of that in the 'Sing' there is Watson's line, which changes the fates of Holmes and Watson.]]
I think 'Hound' may have been the first Holmes story I read, which is maybe why I like it so much. I really liked the 'moor' atmosphere - so much so that when I went to Europe in 2000, I went backpacking by myself in the West Country of England just so I could see Dartmoor. Didn't see any hounds, though! ;) It was gorgeous - and lots of sheep.
Regarding "Sign" - also an excellent one. I got to study it in a class called "Fiction of Empire," where we read books like "Sign," and "King Solomin's Mines" by H. Rider Haggard, and Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," and some Rudyard Kipling. What line are you talking about that changes the fates of Holmes and Watson? I'm racking my brain ...
Another one I like a lot is "Silver Blaze." Actually, now that I think about it, that might have been the first one I read, because it was in a collection of horse stories.
Re: Questionalek_morseSeptember 7 2007, 02:01:25 UTC
///What line are you talking about that changes the fates of Holmes and Watson? I'm racking my brain ... /// I meant the Watson's love to Mary Morstan and his marriage. It changed the characterization of follow adventures, I think.
///Didn't see any hounds, though! ;) /// Who knows, who knows... However, you hardly have checked all sheds and caves of Dartmoor ;)
///Another one I like a lot is "Silver Blaze." Actually, now that I think about it, that might have been the first one I read, because it was in a collection of horse stories. ///
By the way, I think you would be glad to know that Vasily Livanov be in young years worked in the horse farm. Besides, he played a professional rider in the film 'Bracelet-2' (1966). http://imdb.com/title/tt0321522/ Here is a small description of the film: (in Russian) В годы революции и гражданской войны ипподромный рысак - блестящий бегун и любимец публики Браслет-2 - становится обыкновенной гужевой лошадью по кличке Злодей. Однажды, когда она с грузом снарядов прорывалась к красноармейской батарее, лошадь контузило. Но рысака вылечили, и он снова с триумфом выступил на скачках под своим прежним именем. Но эти бега оказались последними для Браслета-2. (in English) During years of the Revolution and the Civil War (1917-1922), the race-course's trotter called 'Bracelet-2' (the favorite of people) becomes usual cargo horse with nick 'A Villian'. One day, when the horse with the cart of shells goes to Red Army's battery, the horse was shell-shocked. But the trotter was curried and again performed on the races with a triumph. But these races were last for 'Bracelet-2'.
As a film critic wrote: "Livanov brilliantly rode with a horse in the 'Bracelet-2' and surprised everyone own sport skill..."
I remember somewhere you asked about adaptation of "Silver Blaze" in the Livanov series. I have to say, alas, they didn't it. They just took the excerpt from that stories and used it in the beginning of the episode 'King of Blackmail'.
Re: QuestiongaslitlondonSeptember 7 2007, 04:37:53 UTC
[[By the way, I think you would be glad to know that Vasily Livanov be in young years worked in the horse farm. Besides, he played a professional rider in the film 'Bracelet-2' (1966).]]
Very cool to learn. I remember one of the reviews you sent about the movie where Livanov played Tsar Nikolai, it mentioned that he looked good on the horse.
[[During years of the Revolution and the Civil War (1917-1922), the race-course's trotter called 'Bracelet-2' (the favorite of people) becomes usual cargo horse with nick 'A Villian'. One day, when the horse with the cart of shells goes to Red Army's battery, the horse was shell-shocked. But the trotter was curried and again performed on the races with a triumph. But these races were last for 'Bracelet-2'.]]
What a great story! Russians have a long history of being incredible riders. There were two main, native horses to Russia, the Don and the Orlov Trotter. The Orlov Trotter almost disappeared after the wars in the first half of the XX century, but a lot of care was taken to revive the (beautiful) breed. The modern Russian Warmblood is holding its own in modern competitions. http://www.equichannel.cz/fotogalerie/1728.jpg Alexandra Korelova and Russian Orlov Trotter Balagur Apparently his rider found him working as a police horse, and now they compete and win internationally. :)
As Russians said: отвести душу... That approximately means - to express own personal emotions... All these foundations, sever English customs, British reserve and a morning porridge, of course, are a bit devoid to Sir Henry. Besides, he could be a cowboy from the Wild West. Why not?
///Another character I really liked in the Russian version was their Mr. Frankland. I think they found a great actor for him, and it was a very entertaining portrayal. ///
I agree... Sergey Martinson is legendary actor. He was favorite actor of theatrical director Meyerhold who thought up new Method of actor play in 1920s - the Bio-mechanics (Биомеханика). This Method meant that an actor think up at first how must to move his body, hands, foots i.e. the eurthytnmics, and then a sense come up in this form. That Method is absolute opposite one to psychological Stanislavski Method, as Meyerhold declared. On a common view, such actor's play was expressive grotesque. That's why, I think, Sergey Martinson brilliantly performed Hitler in the length 'New Adventures of brave soldier Shveik' (based on Yaroslav Gashek's novel). By the way, Martinson played Hitler yet in propaganda mini-films filmed during the Second World War. Here is the mini-review I have found in book 'The actors by Soviet Cinema' (1962):
"In first war years, the performance of Hitler could be level to formidable, mortal shot. Martinson's Hitler is raging Fuhrer
, dangerous idiot, which must be shoot by any philanthrope. The actor don't "colour by nuances" this mood. He as if moves, acts, plays in a plan of witty devastating paper caricature..."
///Did you read the Holmes books/stories before you saw the Livanov series? I read all of them long before I ever saw any depictions of holmes on screen, and HOUND has always been my favorite story...///
Oh, yet one very very interesting question. The first Livanov episodes were showed on TV in 1980 when I was six years. I remember how my parents send me (and my older sister) to slip, because the film was starting in 22.00 (10 PM, if I'm not mistaken). It was quite late time for baby ;))) My sister was waiting when I as if fall asleep and, then, was returning to the sitting room. But I was standing up and going to telly too :)
Unfortunately, there was the deficit (a shortage of things in shops) in USSR. The book deficit was one of the most strong. There was a paradox - the citizens of USSR read very much, but if you wanted to buy a good book, instance Conan Doyle, you must to find 70-100 kg of waste-paper, then, in exchange of it to receive special coupon in book office, after a few months, finally, to stand through a long queue (like the queue for Harry Potter now)... So, my parents had not fair library, because I came up to my grandma, I became to find books by Jack London to read Sherlock Holmes stories. :)
So, I have to say, that I have seen the first four films (except 'XX century begins...) before I have read Conan Doyle.
As for my favorite stories, I'd say 'Sing of Four', 'Creeping Man', 'Devil's Foot'... Though, it wouldn't be right to select favorite among splendid Doyle stories, I think.
Reply
I knew 1980 was a good year! The year I was born and a new Holmes series!
[[Unfortunately, there was the deficit (a shortage of things in shops) in USSR. The book deficit was one of the most strong. There was a paradox - the citizens of USSR read very much, but if you wanted to buy a good book, instance Conan Doyle, you must to find 70-100 kg of waste-paper, then, in exchange of it to receive special coupon in book office, after a few months, finally, to stand through a long queue (like the queue for Harry Potter now)...]]
Wow. I knew there was a deficit on a lot of thinks in the USSR, but I hadn't realized there was such a severe one on books! That really tells you something about a country and its people - that the process of getting books to read was so difficult, and yet people were still willing to go through it and stand in queues, because reading was that important to them. While it was a bad situation, the evidence of the power of books and reading makes me smile.
When I was growing up in the 80's, there were plenty of books, but many of my friends weren't interested in reading, because it was the start of all the video games like Nintendo. I was the odd one because I spent so much time reading! :)
[[Though, it wouldn't be right to select favorite among splendid Doyle stories, I think.]]
I cannot argue with that. I can see many different film versions, but my favorite Holmes and Watson will always be the ones on the page.
Reply
This deficit was spread on, in generally, just the Adventure literary, for example: Conan Doyle, Alexander Duma, Stevenson, Chesterton etc + science fiction. On contrary, the national classic literary, as a rule, was in free trading (instance, Alexander Pushkin, Lermontov...).
///That really tells you something about a country and its people - that the process of getting books to read was so difficult, and yet people were still willing to go through it and stand in queues, because reading was that important to them.///
Perhaps... In any way, it is right regarding to 1960s-1980s. By the way, that why Soviet/Russian cinema did such faithful adaptations of classic literary.
Reply
I just wanted to say that almost all Doyle's stories are excellent ones, except, may be, three-four ones (instance, 'Mazarin Stone' or 'Case of Identity'). Perhaps, I'm wrong to don't enter HOUND in my favorite list. May be, I rate 'Sing of Four' a bit over than 'Hound' of that in the 'Sing' there is Watson's line, which changes the fates of Holmes and Watson.
Reply
That makes a lot of sense. Making up for the deficit by presenting it in a different medium.
[[I just wanted to say that almost all Doyle's stories are excellent ones, except, may be, three-four ones (instance, 'Mazarin Stone' or 'Case of Identity'). Perhaps, I'm wrong to don't enter HOUND in my favorite list. May be, I rate 'Sing of Four' a bit over than 'Hound' of that in the 'Sing' there is Watson's line, which changes the fates of Holmes and Watson.]]
I think 'Hound' may have been the first Holmes story I read, which is maybe why I like it so much. I really liked the 'moor' atmosphere - so much so that when I went to Europe in 2000, I went backpacking by myself in the West Country of England just so I could see Dartmoor. Didn't see any hounds, though! ;) It was gorgeous - and lots of sheep.
Regarding "Sign" - also an excellent one. I got to study it in a class called "Fiction of Empire," where we read books like "Sign," and "King Solomin's Mines" by H. Rider Haggard, and Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," and some Rudyard Kipling.
What line are you talking about that changes the fates of Holmes and Watson? I'm racking my brain ...
Another one I like a lot is "Silver Blaze." Actually, now that I think about it, that might have been the first one I read, because it was in a collection of horse stories.
Reply
I meant the Watson's love to Mary Morstan and his marriage. It changed the characterization of follow adventures, I think.
///Didn't see any hounds, though! ;) ///
Who knows, who knows... However, you hardly have checked all sheds and caves of Dartmoor ;)
///Another one I like a lot is "Silver Blaze." Actually, now that I think about it, that might have been the first one I read, because it was in a collection of horse stories. ///
By the way, I think you would be glad to know that Vasily Livanov be in young years worked in the horse farm. Besides, he played a professional rider in the film 'Bracelet-2' (1966). http://imdb.com/title/tt0321522/
Here is a small description of the film:
(in Russian)
В годы революции и гражданской войны ипподромный рысак - блестящий бегун и любимец публики Браслет-2 - становится обыкновенной гужевой лошадью по кличке Злодей. Однажды, когда она с грузом снарядов прорывалась к красноармейской батарее, лошадь контузило. Но рысака вылечили, и он снова с триумфом выступил на скачках под своим прежним именем. Но эти бега оказались последними для Браслета-2.
(in English)
During years of the Revolution and the Civil War (1917-1922), the race-course's trotter called 'Bracelet-2' (the favorite of people) becomes usual cargo horse with nick 'A Villian'. One day, when the horse with the cart of shells goes to Red Army's battery, the horse was shell-shocked. But the trotter was curried and again performed on the races with a triumph. But these races were last for 'Bracelet-2'.
As a film critic wrote: "Livanov brilliantly rode with a horse in the 'Bracelet-2' and surprised everyone own sport skill..."
I remember somewhere you asked about adaptation of "Silver Blaze" in the Livanov series. I have to say, alas, they didn't it. They just took the excerpt from that stories and used it in the beginning of the episode 'King of Blackmail'.
Reply
Very cool to learn. I remember one of the reviews you sent about the movie where Livanov played Tsar Nikolai, it mentioned that he looked good on the horse.
[[During years of the Revolution and the Civil War (1917-1922), the race-course's trotter called 'Bracelet-2' (the favorite of people) becomes usual cargo horse with nick 'A Villian'. One day, when the horse with the cart of shells goes to Red Army's battery, the horse was shell-shocked. But the trotter was curried and again performed on the races with a triumph. But these races were last for 'Bracelet-2'.]]
What a great story!
Russians have a long history of being incredible riders. There were two main, native horses to Russia, the Don and the Orlov Trotter. The Orlov Trotter almost disappeared after the wars in the first half of the XX century, but a lot of care was taken to revive the (beautiful) breed. The modern Russian Warmblood is holding its own in modern competitions.
http://www.equichannel.cz/fotogalerie/1728.jpg
Alexandra Korelova and Russian Orlov Trotter Balagur
Apparently his rider found him working as a police horse, and now they compete and win internationally. :)
Reply
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