The Poet and the King (Поэт и царь)

The Poet and the Tsar

a tragedy in 8 acts script: V.R. Gardin and Ye.V. Chervyakov

director: V.R. Gardin camera: Svyatoslav Belyaev (locations) Naum Aptekman (studio) designer: Anatolij Arapov

Produced by "Sovkino" Leningradskaya Kinofabrika 1927

Lieutenant Baron Georges de Heeckeren d'Anthès, horse guardsman, he's conquered the hearts of most of the ladies in the capital /B.P. Tamarin/

The Emperor Nicolas I /K.N. Karenin/

A.F. Smirdin. Library, books, pictures, music

The important publisher Smirdin was known as a philanthropist and a friend of literary circles.

Hard times for Pushkin's publishing business ... How much would you pay for his "Sovremennik" Journal

Maybe 15.000.

Pushkin and his friend, the poet Viazemsky, are in the habit of visiting the bookshops /Ye.V. Cheryiakov, L.N. Tkachyov/

Whenever you come to Smirdin, you never find anything good, you only collide with Senkovsky or ... step on Bulgharin.

Bulgharin is the scum of our literature, and also a snitcher.

I've heard your "Contemporary" isn't doing well. Would you sell it to me?

I'll pay 15.000.

Nikita - Pushkin's valet /A.O. Larikov/

Natalya Pushkina née Goncharova /I.N. Volodko/

d'Anthès, d'Anthès

Katerina Nikolaevna Goncharova - Natalya's sister /O.P.Spirova/

Coiffeur Charle

I just saw Pushkin. He seemed to be in low spirits. Probably his growing horns are itching.

They've left for Peterhof!

I shall not wholly die. In my sacred lyre my soul shall outlive my dust and escape corruption. And I shall be famed so long as underneath the moon a single poet remains alive.

Natasha, Masha and Grisha - Pushkin's children.

Alexandra Nikolaevna Goncharova - Natalya's older sister /Ye.A. Roziner/

Zhukovsky /A.N. Pheona/

I came to fetch you. Let's go to Peterhof, otherwise the Emperor might be offended.

We'll drop by the Smirnovs on the way and take them too.

Head of the Gendarmerie, Adjutant General, Count Benckendorff /I.N. Khudoleev/

Another of Pushkin's pranks, Your Excellency. I can vouchsafe its authenticity.

He was made emperor, and right then displayed his flair and drive: Sent to Siberia a hundred-twenty men and strung up five.

If Your Excellency will consent to my plan ...

You can always count on our support and understanding.

Gendarmerie headquarters, 3rd district. Dossier - re: Chamber-Junker A.S. Pushkin - opened: 1827

Peterhof is boiling with fun. A palace, pearly fountains, gendarmes, white plumes, ladies' corsets, livery arms. /Lermontov/

Baron de Heeckeren, the Dutch Envoy, seeks for patronage and a career at court, with the help of his adopted son, George d'Anthès. /V.K. Plotnikov/

Try to relax for a minute, my boy.

she loves me ... she loves me not ...

She loves me!

Have you seen the magic mushroom?

The literary circle used to meet at Smirnova's, a friend of Pushkin. /M.A. Dobrova/

The fabulist Krylov /A.P. Nelidov/

Gogol /F.V. Lopukhov/

Why d'Anthès? And where am I?

You are here with me, Your Majesty.

Arise, arise, prophet of Russia, clothe yourself in a shameful garment, go with a halter about the neck, and appear before the abhorrent murderer.

I'm writing down all of Pushkin's sayings. Every word of his is a lesson in the art of literature.

Her Majesty!

d'Anthès

That name might come in handy.

Idalia Poletika, Natalya's friend and rival /Z.P. Valevskaya/

Great Sovereign, you are the source of our troubles: You are a poor Tsar, but a brave warrior.

Unfortunately, he's too famous, I can't deal with him like with any other subject.

They say your son is mad about Natalya Nikolaevna.

Don't you know that she has great influence?

You're falling for Natalya, Georges! You're breaking my heart!

Why don't you read us your new poem?

I don't write for the drawing room.

How dare a Chamber-Junker appear at court in civilian clothes instead of his court uniform?

My boy will meet you near the pavilion.

Are you going to write a history of Peter the Great?

Isn't there a man like him in our times, deserving to be glorified by your pen?

His Majesty takes after his great ancestor.

Where's Natasha?

Listen, my boy. You can obtain a most brilliant career through a woman. A felicitous affair is more appreciated by society than diplomatic success or a victory on the battlefield.

In Mikhajlovskoe, the village where he was born, Pushkin seeks rest and privacy.

Here is the cottage, sadly declined now, where I lived with my poor old nurse.

I was thinking about my youth, that was wasted in fruitful trials, about stern blames that I deserved, about the friend, who paid me with grudges in return for my trusting and gentle soul. Bitter feelings were boiling in my heart.

... here I am again, the past has flown out eagerly to embrace me, claim me, and it seems that only yesterday I wandered within these groves.

Baron de Heeckeren d'Anthès is having fun.

Just got it from Vienna.

... the venerable Grand Master of the Order of the Cuckold ...

Let's send it to Pushkin.

D'Anthès!

You'll see, I'll give up everything and leave for the country with you.

Your stupid jealousy is intolerable!

I came to ask for your decision about a proposal I had the honor to make to you.

I'm not selling the "Contemporary", especially not to you!

I'll pay you a decent sum of money.

May I offer you a collaboration for my "Northern Bee"?

I beg to be excused, I'm not the lackey of the gendarmerie.

The due date for these bills of exchange is near.

... I, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, owe 10.000 roubles to ... 20 July 1836