This film follows a Russian academic known as Shurik who is played by Alexander Demyanenko, whom is on a mission to record the fleeting folklore of the Caucus and ends up having to rescue a woman who's the victim of a Caucasian kidnapping plot. Produced in April 1, 1967 and directed by Leonid Gaidai, this film features a satirical portrayal of the antiquated tradition of bridal kidnapping within Caucasian cultures. As a novice in watching foreign films, "Caucasian Prisoner Girl" was an absolute treat to watch, with humor that can be appreciated regardless of the clinical filter that are subtitles. I would highly encourage anyone who likes film to give this movie a try.
Starting off with some critiques, this movie unfortunately doesn't do much in the way of character development. The main male character, while likeable, is gullible and naïve, without any real underlining values or motivations other than decency and a goal of rescuing a friendly acquaintance, Nina, played by Natalya Varley. This latter character and female main character, Nina, also could have been better developed. She does, however, brilliantly portray the "New Russian Woman", who is shown to be confident, capable, autonomous, and intelligent. While this film, like any, could have improved on areas, one doesn't have time to dwell on the short-comings due to the constant humor, drama, and action that's delivered on screen. Particularly funny in this movie is The Fool, a henchman in the bridal kidnapping played by Yuri Nikulin who along with his two accomplices, play out a hysterical string of failed attempts to deliver their captive to a local strongman bureaucrat.
This movie is a great time for any general audience, as it is a comedy, with much of the hilarity conveyed through physical scenes that don't rely on nuanced linguistic references like other foreign films. As mentioned before, bridal kidnappings were an antiquated custom at the time of this production, and so while this story shines some lights onto the "backwardness" of Caucasian society, it also downplays them by making it the center of a comedy, perpetrated clearly by the antagonist. Furthermore, Shurik portrays the "New Russian Man" here, which is a more nuanced and curious man, yet still courageous and moral when called to be. Shurik's early focus of the film is to find and record Caucasian folklore, and so this leading character signals that Caucasian folklore is something to be valued and respected. While some people might be turned off by the prospect of reading subtitles, you hardly notice them while enjoying scene after scene, and thus I would rate this movie 4 out of 5 stars.
Starting off with some critiques, this movie unfortunately doesn't do much in the way of character development. The main male character, while likeable, is gullible and naïve, without any real underlining values or motivations other than decency and a goal of rescuing a friendly acquaintance, Nina, played by Natalya Varley. This latter character and female main character, Nina, also could have been better developed. She does, however, brilliantly portray the "New Russian Woman", who is shown to be confident, capable, autonomous, and intelligent. While this film, like any, could have improved on areas, one doesn't have time to dwell on the short-comings due to the constant humor, drama, and action that's delivered on screen. Particularly funny in this movie is The Fool, a henchman in the bridal kidnapping played by Yuri Nikulin who along with his two accomplices, play out a hysterical string of failed attempts to deliver their captive to a local strongman bureaucrat.
This movie is a great time for any general audience, as it is a comedy, with much of the hilarity conveyed through physical scenes that don't rely on nuanced linguistic references like other foreign films. As mentioned before, bridal kidnappings were an antiquated custom at the time of this production, and so while this story shines some lights onto the "backwardness" of Caucasian society, it also downplays them by making it the center of a comedy, perpetrated clearly by the antagonist. Furthermore, Shurik portrays the "New Russian Man" here, which is a more nuanced and curious man, yet still courageous and moral when called to be. Shurik's early focus of the film is to find and record Caucasian folklore, and so this leading character signals that Caucasian folklore is something to be valued and respected. While some people might be turned off by the prospect of reading subtitles, you hardly notice them while enjoying scene after scene, and thus I would rate this movie 4 out of 5 stars.