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The Departure of a Great Old Man

The Departure of a Great Old Man

1912 45 minutes Russian Empire
Social justice and moral responsibilityConflict between personal conscience and social institutionsThe burden of fame and public expectationClass inequality and land reformMarital conflict and ideological differences

Plot

In this poignant Russian drama, a group of impoverished peasants visits the estate of the renowned writer Leo Tolstoy and his wife, the Countess, desperately seeking land to sustain their families. Tolstoy, deeply moved by their plight, must explain that he has no authority over the land holdings, which are controlled by his unyielding wife who refuses to help the peasants. The negative reaction of the peasants to his perceived powerlessness deeply wounds Tolstoy, sparking an intense preoccupation with the suffering of the poor and the injustices of the social system. This newfound awareness leads to escalating conflicts with his wife, who cannot comprehend his growing radicalism and concern for the peasantry. As tensions mount within his household and his marriage, Tolstoy sinks into a profound despondency, endlessly searching for answers to the suffering he witnesses around him. The film portrays the internal struggle of a great mind grappling with moral responsibility and the limitations of his influence in a rigid social hierarchy.

Director

Elizaveta Thiman

Cast

About the Production

Release Date October 1912
Production Khanzhonkov Film Company
Filmed In Moscow, Russia

This film was produced during the golden age of Russian silent cinema, shortly after Tolstoy's death in 1910, capitalizing on public interest in his life and controversial final years. The production faced the technical limitations of early cinema, requiring natural lighting and primitive camera equipment. The film was shot on location near Moscow to capture authentic Russian peasant life and aristocratic settings. Director Elizaveta Thiman was one of the few female directors working in Russian cinema during this period, bringing a unique perspective to this biographical drama.

Historical Background

This film was produced during a pivotal moment in Russian history, just two years after Leo Tolstoy's death and five years before the Russian Revolution. The early 1910s saw rapid growth in Russian cinema, with filmmakers beginning to explore more sophisticated themes and techniques beyond simple entertainment. The film's focus on Tolstoy's social consciousness and his conflicts with established institutions resonated deeply with contemporary Russian audiences, who were experiencing growing social tensions and political unrest. The Russian Empire was undergoing significant modernization, yet still struggled with deep-seated social inequalities between the aristocracy and peasantry. Cinema was emerging as a powerful medium for social commentary, and films like this one helped shape public discourse about important social issues. The timing of this film's release was particularly significant, as it captured the legacy of Tolstoy's moral and social teachings at a time when Russian society was on the brink of revolutionary change.

Why This Film Matters

The Departure of a Great Old Man represents an important milestone in early Russian cinema as one of the first serious biographical films about a major cultural figure. The film's sympathetic portrayal of Tolstoy's social consciousness and his conflicts with established institutions contributed to the growing tradition of socially engaged Russian cinema. As a work directed by a woman in the male-dominated early film industry, it represents an important achievement for female filmmakers in the early 20th century. The film helped establish the biographical drama as a significant genre in Russian cinema, influencing later films about literary and historical figures. Its focus on social justice and moral responsibility reflected the growing role of cinema as a medium for addressing important social issues. The film also contributed to the cultural memory of Tolstoy, shaping public understanding of his final years and his commitment to social reform. As an early example of Russian auteur cinema, it demonstrated the artistic potential of the medium beyond simple entertainment.

Making Of

The production of this film occurred during a fascinating transitional period in Russian cinema, when filmmakers were beginning to explore more sophisticated narrative techniques and socially relevant themes. Director Elizaveta Thiman, working within the constraints of early cinema technology, employed innovative camera positioning and lighting to create emotional depth in the performances. The casting of Vladimir Shaternikov as Tolstoy was particularly significant, as his physical resemblance to the writer added authenticity to the portrayal. The film was shot in the actual style of Russian country estates of the period, with careful attention to historical accuracy in costumes and settings. The production team faced challenges in recreating the tense atmosphere between Tolstoy and his wife, requiring the actors to convey complex emotional conflicts through the limited means available in silent cinema. The film's focus on social issues reflected the growing political consciousness in Russian society and the film industry's willingness to address controversial subjects.

Visual Style

The cinematography of this early Russian film reflects the technical limitations and artistic ambitions of the period. The filmmakers used natural lighting and primitive camera equipment to create atmospheric scenes that conveyed the emotional weight of the story. The camera work was relatively static by modern standards, but showed careful composition and attention to visual storytelling. The film employed location shooting to capture authentic Russian landscapes and architectural details, adding to its historical authenticity. The cinematographer used close-ups sparingly but effectively to highlight emotional moments in the performances. The visual style emphasized the contrast between the opulent surroundings of the aristocratic characters and the humble conditions of the peasants. Despite the technical limitations of the era, the film's visual language successfully conveyed the social themes and emotional conflicts at the heart of the story.

Innovations

For its time, this film demonstrated several notable technical achievements in early Russian cinema. The production used location shooting to achieve greater authenticity in its portrayal of Russian peasant life and aristocratic settings. The filmmakers employed relatively sophisticated lighting techniques for the period, using natural light to create mood and atmosphere. The film's editing showed advanced understanding of narrative pacing and emotional rhythm for early cinema. The production design demonstrated careful attention to historical accuracy in costumes and props. The film's runtime of 45 minutes was relatively ambitious for the period, allowing for more complex character development and narrative depth. The sound recording techniques of the era were not used, as this was a silent production, but the film's visual storytelling techniques showed innovation in conveying complex emotions and social themes without dialogue.

Music

As a silent film, The Departure of a Great Old Man would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The musical accompaniment likely consisted of classical Russian music, possibly including works by composers like Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninoff, to enhance the emotional impact of the scenes. The musical score would have been carefully chosen to reflect the film's serious themes and emotional depth. In larger urban theaters, the accompaniment might have included a small orchestra, while smaller venues would have used a piano or organ. The music would have been particularly important during scenes of emotional conflict and moral struggle, helping to convey the internal states of the characters. The choice of music would have reflected the film's Russian cultural context and its serious artistic ambitions.

Did You Know?

  • This film was released just two years after Leo Tolstoy's actual death in 1910, making it one of the earliest cinematic portrayals of the famous writer
  • Director Elizaveta Thiman was a pioneering female filmmaker in the Russian Empire, one of very few women directing during this era
  • The film's title refers to Tolstoy's famous departure from his estate in his final days, a subject of great public controversy and speculation
  • Vladimir Shaternikov, who portrayed Tolstoy, was known for his physical resemblance to the writer and specialized in biographical roles
  • The production company, Khanzhonkov, was one of Russia's first major film studios and a pioneer in the Russian film industry
  • The film was considered controversial for its sympathetic portrayal of Tolstoy's conflicts with the Russian Orthodox Church and his support for peasant rights
  • Only a few fragments of this film are known to survive today, making it a rare example of early Russian biographical cinema
  • The film's release coincided with growing social tensions in Russia that would eventually lead to the 1917 revolutions
  • Olga Petrova-Zvantseva, who played the Countess, was a celebrated stage actress who made few film appearances, making this role particularly notable
  • The film was one of the first to dramatize the personal life of a living literary figure, setting a precedent for biographical films

What Critics Said

Contemporary Russian critics praised the film for its serious treatment of Tolstoy's legacy and its sensitive portrayal of his moral conflicts. The performances, particularly Vladimir Shaternikov's portrayal of Tolstoy, were noted for their authenticity and emotional depth. Critics of the time recognized the film's importance as a work of social commentary, appreciating its willingness to address controversial themes of social justice and moral responsibility. Some conservative critics objected to the film's sympathetic portrayal of Tolstoy's conflicts with religious and social institutions. Modern film historians consider the film a significant example of early Russian auteur cinema and an important work in the development of biographical drama as a genre. The film is recognized today as an important artifact of early Russian cinema, despite its incomplete preservation status.

What Audiences Thought

The film was well received by Russian audiences in 1912, who were still deeply affected by Tolstoy's recent death and interested in the circumstances of his final years. Many viewers appreciated the film's respectful treatment of Tolstoy's memory and its exploration of his social consciousness. The film's themes of social justice and moral responsibility resonated with audiences experiencing the growing social tensions of pre-revolutionary Russia. Some audience members were moved by the film's portrayal of Tolstoy's personal struggles and his commitment to helping the poor. The film's release sparked discussions about Tolstoy's legacy and his relevance to contemporary Russian society. Contemporary audience reactions, as documented in newspapers and magazines of the period, indicate that the film successfully captured the public's imagination and contributed to the ongoing cultural conversation about Tolstoy's place in Russian history.

Film Connections

Influenced By

  • Tolstoy's actual writings on social justice and moral responsibility
  • Contemporary Russian literature addressing social issues
  • The real-life events of Tolstoy's final years and his departure from his estate
  • Russian theatrical traditions of serious drama
  • European biographical films of the early 1910s
  • The growing tradition of socially engaged Russian art

This Film Influenced

  • Later Russian films about literary figures
  • Soviet biographical films of the 1920s and 1930s
  • International films about Tolstoy's life
  • Russian films addressing social justice themes
  • Early Soviet cinema focusing on class conflict

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Resurrection1912Russian adaptation of Tolstoy's novel)The Last Days of Tolstoyvarious later adaptations)Anna Kareninaearly silent adaptations)War and Peaceearly silent versions)Other Khanzhonkov productions of the 1910sEarly Russian social dramas likeThe Peasant's Lot1912 ],famousQuotesThe land is not mine to give, it belongs to her who holds the deeds, but the suffering of those who work it belongs to us all,I have written of justice, but now I see that words are not enough when bellies are empty and children cry,My conscience will not let me rest in comfort while others suffer in poverty,You call me a great man, but I am powerless to help those who need me mostmemorableScenesThe tense confrontation between Tolstoy and the peasants when he must explain his inability to help them obtain land,The emotional argument between Tolstoy and his wife over his growing concern for the poor and his neglect of their aristocratic lifestyle,The scene where Tolstoy walks through the peasant village, witnessing firsthand the poverty and suffering that haunts his conscience,The final melancholy sequence where Tolstoy sits alone, contemplating his inability to resolve the social injustices he has witnessedpreservationStatusThe film is considered partially lost, with only fragments known to survive in Russian film archives. Some sequences have been preserved through the efforts of the Gosfilmofond, the Russian state film archive, but the complete film is not available in its original form. The surviving fragments provide valuable insight into early Russian cinema and the work of director Elizaveta Thiman. Restoration efforts have been ongoing, but the incomplete nature of the surviving material makes a full restoration impossible. The film's preservation status is typical of Russian cinema from this period, many of which were lost during the political upheavals of the early 20th century.whereToWatchThe surviving fragments are occasionally screened at specialized film archives and cinematheques, particularly at the Gosfilmofond in Moscow,Some excerpts may be available in academic collections and film history documentaries about early Russian cinema,The film is not commercially available on home video or streaming platforms due to its incomplete preservation status

Themes & Topics

Leo TolstoyRussian peasantsLand reformMoral conflictSocial injusticeMarital discordIntellectual crisisClass struggleMoral responsibilityRussian aristocracyPovertyConscienceSocial reform