Cast
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Nikolai Volkov St.
as Хоттабыч
Aleksei Litvinov
as Волька (Володя Костыльков)
Gennadi Khudyakov
as Женька Богорад
Lev Kovalchuk
as Гога
Olga Cherkasova
as Варвара Степановна
Maya Blinova
as мать Вольки
Efim Kopelyan
as Джафар али Мухаммедов
Alexander Larikov
as доктор
Anatoly Korolkevich
as Comrade from the State Circus Administration
Valentina Romanova
as Глафира Кузьминична
Yevgeni Vesnik
as постовой милиционер
Ayzik Galin
as профорг цирка
Boris Kokovkin
as член экзаменационной комиссии
Anatoly Korolkevich
as представитель Управления Госцирков
Vsevolod Kuznetsov
as футбольный болельщик / зритель в цирке
Crew
Director
- Gennadi Kazansky
Writer
- Lazar Lagin
Producer
- Tamara Samoznayeva
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
Old Man Khottabych represents a fascinating example of Adventure/Fantasy/Family 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 Gennadi Kazansky 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 1957, 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 Old Man Khottabych took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 86 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 117 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 12 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 7 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1957, when this film was released:
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: July 12, 1957
- Runtime: 1h 26m