Cast
Porfiri Podobed
Mr. West
Boris Barnet
Jeddy - The Cowboy
Alexandra Khokhlova
Countess von Saks
Vsevolod Pudovkin
Zhban
Sergei Komarov
The One-Eyed Man
Leonid Obolensky
The Dandy
Valentina Lopatina
Ellie - the American girl
Georgiy Kharlampiev
Senka Svishch
Pyotr Galadzhev
Crook
Sergey Sletov
Crook
Viktor Latyshevskiy
Crook
Andrei Gorchilin
Policeman
Vladimir Fogel
Quarrelsome young man
Vera Marinich
Mr. West's wife (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Lev Kuleshov
Writer
- Vsevolod Pudovkin
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks represents a fascinating example of Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Lev Kuleshov brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1924, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 77 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 115 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1842 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 12 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 10 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1924, when this film was released:
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The House on Trubnaya, which focuses more on action than character development, The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Comrade Chkalov Crosses the North Pole and October (Ten Days that Shook the World) explore similar territory, The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 26, 1924
- Runtime: 1h 17m
