Yuriy Levitan
Actor
About Yuriy Levitan
Yuriy Levitan was a Soviet actor active during the early 1940s, appearing primarily in wartime propaganda films produced to support the Soviet war effort during World War II. His brief but notable film career coincided with one of the most critical periods in Soviet history, the Great Patriotic War. Levitan appeared in 'Collection of Films for the Armed Forces #5' (1941), which was part of a series of morale-boosting newsreels and short films distributed to Soviet military personnel on the front lines. His most significant role came in the 1943 documentary-style film 'Stalingrad,' which depicted the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad that marked a turning point in the war. While his acting career appears to have been limited to these wartime productions, his participation in these historically significant films places him within the context of Soviet cinema's response to national crisis. After 1943, there is little documented evidence of continued film work, suggesting his acting career may have been brief or primarily focused on supporting the war effort through these specific productions.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in Collection of Films for the Armed Forces #5 (1941)
- Acted in the historical documentary Stalingrad (1943)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Yuriy Levitan's contribution to Soviet cinema, while brief, represents the important role that actors played in maintaining civilian and military morale during the Great Patriotic War. His participation in films like 'Stalingrad' helped document and dramatize one of the most significant military victories in Soviet history, contributing to the collective memory and cultural narrative of World War II in the Soviet Union. These wartime productions were not merely entertainment but served as crucial tools for propaganda, information dissemination, and psychological warfare, with actors like Levitan playing their part in the broader cultural mobilization effort.
Lasting Legacy
Yuriy Levitan's legacy is preserved through his participation in historically significant wartime films that continue to be studied by historians and film scholars interested in Soviet propaganda and wartime cinema. While he may not have achieved the lasting fame of other Soviet actors from the era, his work in films documenting the Battle of Stalingrad ensures his place in the historical record of Soviet cinema's response to World War II.
Who They Inspired
Given the limited scope of his known filmography, there is little documented evidence of Yuriy Levitan's direct influence on other actors or filmmakers. However, his participation in Soviet wartime cinema places him within a broader tradition of actors who contributed to national morale during times of crisis, a tradition that influenced subsequent generations of Soviet and Russian performers.
Off Screen
Very limited information is available about Yuriy Levitan's personal life, as his film career appears to have been brief and primarily focused on wartime productions during the early 1940s.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in films during one of the most critical periods of Soviet history
- His film career coincided exactly with the Great Patriotic War years
- Participated in productions that were part of Soviet morale-boosting efforts
- The film 'Stalingrad' (1943) depicted one of the most important battles of World War II
- Collection of Films for the Armed Forces was specifically produced for military personnel
- Very little biographical information exists about him, suggesting he may have been a minor character actor
- His work represents the often-overlooked contributions of supporting actors in wartime cinema
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Yuriy Levitan?
Yuriy Levitan was a Soviet actor active during the early 1940s who appeared in wartime propaganda films, most notably 'Collection of Films for the Armed Forces #5' (1941) and 'Stalingrad' (1943). His brief film career coincided with the Great Patriotic War, and he contributed to Soviet morale through these historically significant productions.
What films is Yuriy Levitan best known for?
Yuriy Levitan is known for his appearances in two wartime films: 'Collection of Films for the Armed Forces #5' (1941), which was part of a series produced for Soviet military personnel, and 'Stalingrad' (1943), a documentary-style film depicting the pivotal battle that marked a turning point in World War II.
When was Yuriy Levitan active as an actor?
Yuriy Levitan's known acting career spanned from 1941 to 1943, coinciding with the most intense period of the Great Patriotic War. His filmography appears to be limited to these wartime years, suggesting his acting may have been primarily focused on supporting the war effort.
What was the significance of the films Yuriy Levitan appeared in?
The films Levitan appeared in were historically significant as they were part of Soviet wartime propaganda efforts. 'Collection of Films for the Armed Forces' was specifically produced to boost military morale, while 'Stalingrad' documented and dramatized one of the most crucial victories of World War II, contributing to the Soviet narrative of the conflict.
Is there much biographical information available about Yuriy Levitan?
Very limited biographical information is available about Yuriy Levitan, including his birth date, death date, birthplace, and personal life details. This scarcity of information suggests he may have been a minor character actor whose contributions were primarily functional to the wartime film productions rather than establishing a major acting career.
Films
2 films
