The Amphibian Man
(Chelovek-Amfibiya)
Screening on Film
Directed by G. Kazansky and V. Chebotaryov.
With Vladimir Korenev, Anastasiya Vertinskaya, Mikhail Kozakov.
USSR, 1961, 35mm, color, 95 min.
Russian with English subtitles.
With Vladimir Korenev, Anastasiya Vertinskaya, Mikhail Kozakov.
USSR, 1961, 35mm, color, 95 min.
Russian with English subtitles.
This is one of the most beloved Russian films ever made (65 million admissions in 1962, which would roughly translate into $520,000,000 box office in today's America). The rather tall tale of a handsome, gilled mutant unfolds in an oddly conceived coastal locale among pearl divers, rogues and old salts. Perhaps the ultimate product of the late 50s-early 60s "Thaw," The Amphibian Man surreally brims with Latin song-and-dance numbers and Russian stars in brownface; it has to be seen to be believed.