Ethel Voynich wrote her novel 'The Gadfly' in 1897. Set during the Risorgimento it failed ironically to make much of an impact in Italy but owing to its revolutionary ideology scored a massive triumph in Russia and China. The film under review comes from the Golden Age of Soviet Cinema which followed the death of Stalin. Adapted by the talented Victor Shklovsky and directed by Alekandr Faintsimmer it boasts stunning cinematography by Ivan Moskvin. The magnificent score by Shostakovich has proved extremely popular in its own right and the Romance is a perennial favourite on Classic FM! The romantic element of the film has been modified somewhat to accommodate that of the revolutionary but this does not make it any less entertaining. Oleg Strizhenov and his wife Marina are effective and Oleg would go on to star the following year in 'The Forty First' for Chukrai. Nicolai Simonov is stupendous as the Cardinal. Stirring stuff.
Review of The Gadfly
