This is the film to take a Shakespeare fan to see so he will understand why so many people do not care for Shakespeare.

This black and white Russian version is probably of greater interest to Shakespearean film scholars than audience members looking for a watchable Twelfth Night. It has the feel, but not the studio slickness, of Hollywood Shakespeare from the thirties and forties.

It begins with a shipwreck, uses the same actress to play Viola and Sebastian, and in spite of cutting the play to the bone (What else can one do in 88 minutes?), spends an amazing amount of time showing people walking silently.

The actors do have plenty of energy, and where else does Feste sing in Russian?

Russian cinema is distinguished by its epic scale, philosophical depth, and innovative visual language. It often explores history, ideology, and the human psyche, with a tradition of psychological realism and artistic experimentation. Russian cinema contributed revolutionary theories of editing and later a spiritual approach to film language. It remains known for combining formal experimentation with profound explorations of endurance and belief.

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The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

Based on Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, or What You Will.

Boris Zelensky in Dvenadtsataya noch (1955)

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Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

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Georgiy Vitsin and Mikhail Yanshin in Dvenadtsataya noch (1955)

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Alla Larionova and Klara Luchko in Dvenadtsataya noch (1955)

Alla Larionova and Vasiliy Merkurev in Dvenadtsataya noch (1955)

Dvenadtsataya noch

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