The best screen version of classical literature: a list. The screen version of classical works of Russian and English literature

Any screen version of the works of classical literature always attracts close attention from both critics and viewers. Readers are more demanding than another audience, because generally recognized masterpieces, according to the majority, should either be filmed well, or not screened at all. The point of view of filmmakers and screenwriters often does not coincide with the author's idea, and too freest interpretation can turn into a complete failure. However, the filmmakers do not stop this, and they continue to embody the famous literary images on the screen. Among the many films of this plan, there are quite a few unsuccessful failed tapes that have sunk into oblivion, but there are also those that you want to revisit again and again, like rereading your favorite book. This is a very successful and high-quality best adaptation of classical literature. Everyone has a list of their favorite tapes, but it is worth highlighting those paintings that have received worldwide recognition from viewers and critics.

The best screen version of classical literature in the USSR

Few can argue with the fact that Soviet cinema has presented the world with a lot of chic films that can be safely called masterpieces. And to make films on the most famous world and domestic works in the Union they loved and knew how. Soviet cinema studios were successful in every adaptation of classical literature. Dostoevsky - this is one of the favorite authors of filmmakers, whether Russian or foreign, but the "Idiot" in 1958 surpassed so no one could. Yuri Yakovlev, brilliantly embodied the image of Prince Myshkin, unfortunately, did not withdraw in the second part of the adaptation of the immortal novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich, despite this, the screen version of the first part was above all praise.

Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy's war and peace in four volumes is difficult to master, and even more difficult to shoot, but the greatest Soviet director Sergei Bondarchuk made almost impossible. His eponymous film epic 1965-1967 release in four parts - this is the best example of the adaptation of classical works of Russian literature. Everything is beautiful in it - magnificent actors, delightful battles and history itself, in minute detail transmitted on the screen.

The first mystical Soviet films

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol, one of the favorite domestic classics, whose works are characterized by a special flavor and unique zest. The films "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka" in 1961 and "Wii" in 1967 are an additional proof of this. These wonderful adaptations of classical literature that convey the unique style of Gogol with excellent director's work and a fine cast are still loved by so many generations. "Wii" in general was the first such film in the USSR, his success was indescribable, and Natalia Varley for a long time otherwise as Pannochka was not called.

Satire in the cinema

Ilf and Petrov - this is already a classic of the twentieth century, and it was already actively started shooting it. It is noteworthy that the first attempts to translate the "12 chairs" on the screen were not in Russia. In the 1970s, two such screen versions of classical literature appeared in the USSR at once. The list includes both versions of the famous novel. The first in 1971 was a two-part film by Leonid Gaidai with Archil Gomiashvili as Bender. From the point of view of the production and directing work, this film clearly wins. And five years later in 1976, Mark Zakharov released a television film from four series, where the role of Ostap went to Andrei Mironov. An interesting fact: Mironov was auditioned for this role in Gaidai's film, but did not arrange the director, although today it is his whole post-Soviet space that is considered the real Ostap Bender. So the TV version of Zakharov turned out to be more popular and popularly beloved.

Without the "Master and Margarita" - in any way!

Various works of Mikhail Bulgakov tried to film all to whom not laziness, and not only in our country, but also abroad. But it is necessary to identify the immortal comedy Gaidai, based on Mikhail Afanasievich's play in 1973, "Ivan Vasilyevich is changing his profession." Despite the peculiar interpretation of the original text and the adaptation of the director, the script strictly adhered to the fundamentals of the play, but the winged phrases were taken exactly from the book. This is an example of an excellent non-canonical adaptation of classical literature, which gained unprecedented popularity and audience love for many decades. The film remains relevant to this day. But the most amazing, touching and accurate film was a two-part television project "The Heart of a Dog" in 1988, which was highly praised by critics and received a lot of awards, and for many viewers this film is still the best and beloved. Director Vladimir Bortko made this adaptation with the effect of "sepia", in order to better convey the atmosphere of that time, which he managed with brilliance. Well, the main roles were chosen truly remarkable actors - Evgeni Evstigneev and Vladimir Tolokonnikov, who incredibly realistically recreated the images of Professor Preobrazhensky and Sharikov.

An example of the best adaptation of classical works of Russian literature in the United States

Strangely enough, but Hollywood often tries to produce adaptations of classical works of Russian literature, but, alas, in the majority they are rather flop, because Americans never understand the mysterious Russian soul. However, not all of their attempts fail, as a striking example is the adaptation in 1965 of Boris Pasternak's novel Doctor Zhivago. Among all the films released by the company "Metro Golden Mayer", this tape is perhaps one of the most successful. She also took eighth place in the list of the highest grossing films in US history and received as many as five Oscars. The story turned out, surprisingly, very convincing and penetrating.

Passion for Karenina

Americans are also very fond of Leo Tolstoy, especially his "Anna Karenina." Two of the same screen versions of classical literature - Russian, but with American flavor - just need to look. The first came out in the distant 1935, the role of Anna was played by the inimitable Greta Garbo, who became the best actress of the year thanks to this film, and the latter, by the way, received the Grand Prix at the Venice Film Festival. The second time Hollywood decided to encroach on the great work in 2012. The production was very bright and spectacular, and the audience appreciated it, but, according to many of them, Kira Knightley could not fully get used to the image of Karenina. And in 1999, Pushkin, even a successful one, underwent a foreign screen adaptation. Rafe Fiennes and Liv Tyler perfectly coped with their roles in the film "Onegin", and Tyler, as the best foreign actress, even noted the Russian Guild of Film Critics.

English Romanticism

Do not be alien to American filmmakers and the screen version of English classical literature. Especially love to embody on the screen works of one of the most beloved British writers Jane Austen. For example, "Pride and Prejudice" was screened as many as eight times, but the most successful attempt was a mini-series from six episodes of 1995 with Colin Firth and Jennifer El in the lead roles. This beautiful setting very accurately conveyed the spirit of that time and the essence of the whole work. A lot of nominations and prestigious awards, as well as grateful viewers - the best indicator of a quality project.

Sisters of Bronte

The same fate befell the main romantic book of all times "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte. This is her only novel, but it was filmed fifteen times: since 1920, there were films, then serials based on this magnificent work. His classic production is a 1939 film with Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier in the lead roles. However, in 2011, a few arthouse version of the adaptation of the classic novel by director Andrea Arnold was released. The unusual treatment showed the dark sides of this work, and the main character was made an African American, which is much closer to the plot of the book itself. The film was very rich and impressive.

"Charlotta Bronte's" Jane Eyre "was screened slightly less, only nine times, yet this beautiful and sad love story was most expressive and sensual in the 1996 film of the same name directed by Franco Zeffirelli. The above films are the most vivid and interesting adaptations of the classical literature of English Romanticism.

English Realism

Charles Dickens is a master of disclosure of human nature, vices, he pulled out the most unsightly of its sides. Perhaps that is why his books are so strong and exciting. In this case, the screen version of the classical literature turned out to be very strong. As, for example, the film of the scandalous genius of Roman Polanski "Oliver Twist", released in 2005. And although the director has changed a lot in history, making it more humane, the essence of Dickens's works from this was not lost, but, on the contrary, was transferred in its original form.

Another good attempt to film the works of an immortal English writer is a drama of 2012 called "Great Hopes", a joint product of Britain and the United States. A fine selection of actors and an inexpressible atmosphere compensate for a certain slowness of the plot, but the spirit of the English classics is excellent.

The Legendary Cinema

Love stories have always been the focus of cinematography, because viewers love them so much. And if this is the most famous love story, born out of the genius of stunning writers, then such screen versions of classical literature are the focus of attention in the first place. In 1939, the first color full-length film, shot using technology "technical", was the melodrama "Gone With the Wind" directed by Victor Fleming, based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, which became a cult romantic cinema of the twentieth century. She received a record number of Oscars. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, or rather, their characters, Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, became symbols of their time.

Classics of the US literature of the twentieth century

Among American writers there are also many outstanding personalities, which can be safely called classics and film their creations. Ernest Hemingway's Ernest Hemingway's book "Farewell to Arms" was screened during his lifetime, and although the author himself was outraged by the alternative finale of the production, the 1932 film with the inimitable Gary Cooper turned out to be simply remarkable. In 1962 the screen version of the novel Harper Lee "Kill a mockingbird", which helped the writer to enter the annals of classical American literature. The main actor of this dramatic film, the leading Hollywood actor of the time, Gregory Peck, received an Oscar for the role of Atticus Finch, as well as the approval and real enthusiasm of the author of the novel. Thirteen years after the publication of Ken Kesey's book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 1975, the world saw the eponymous film with the genius Jack Nicholson in the title role, which has become almost more popular than the book itself. The screen version of classical literature is a fertile field in the cinema. So you should expect new and interesting pictures.