White Sun of the Desert
Beloe Solntze Pustyni (White Sun of the Desert) (1970), a classic 'Eastern' or Ostern film of the Soviet Union.
White Sun of the Desert is arguably the best loved Russian film of all time, or certainly one of the most popular. Its blend of action, comedy, music and drama have made it a wildly successful cult phenomenon.
Plot
Template:Spoiler The setting is the shores of the Caspian Sea where the Red Army soldier Fyodor Sukhov has been fighting the Civil War in Russian Asia for a number of years. After being hospitalised and then demobbed, he sets off home to see his wife, only to be caught up in a fight in the desert between a Red Army cavalry unit and 'Basmachi' rebels. Sukhov ends up having to guard and protect the harem of the Basmachi guerilla leader Abdullah, as his army comrades pursue him. The task proves to be much more difficult than he originally thought, and in between attacks from Basmachis and offers from the harem (who now consider him their husband), Sukhov must deal with a drunken Russian official who looks after the trading outpost and museum they shelter in...
Trivia
- It was ritually watched by cosmonauts before many space launches
- The film has contributed many sayings to the Russian language such as 'The East is a delicate matter'.
- Its main theme tune, Your Excellency Lady Luck became a huge hit for decades.
Main Cast
Raisa Kurkina, Anatoly Kuznetsov, Spartak Mishulin, Pavel Luspekayev
Crew
- Directed by: Eduard Rozovsky
- Produced by: (?Mosfilm)
- Screenplay by: Valentin Yezhov and Pavel Ibragimbekov
- Music by: Isaak Shvarts and Bulat Okudzhava.