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When the Trees Were Tall
Когда деревья были большими
1961 95 min Soviet Union 12+
★7.6
Drama, Romance
Director: Lev Kulidzhanov
Trailers
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EN
Description
The story of a man who routinely dodges all responsibility, bemoans fate, spends his days boozing, and refuses to work. The act of playing long-lost father to a pretty teenager spurs him to turn over a new leaf.
Starring
Inna Gulaya
Actor
Yuriy Nikulin
Actor
Leonid Kuravlyov
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 1962
— Palme d'Or
Key opinion
Lev Kulidzhanov's 1961 drama is widely regarded as a sincere, humanist classic that transcends its era through its emotional resonance. While some viewers find certain narrative elements or ideological inclusions to be dated or uneven, the film remains highly esteemed for its foundational performances and timeless exploration of redemption.
| Acting | Yuri Nikulin delivers a powerful, soul-searching performance that successfully defies his reputation as a purely comedic actor. | |
| Acting | Inna Gulaya provides a profoundly natural and sincere portrayal that anchors the film’s emotional core. | |
| Emotion | The film’s simple, humanist approach to storytelling creates a lasting emotional impact that remains potent for modern audiences. | |
| Screenplay | The balance between earnest personal drama and mandatory Soviet-era ideological elements creates a disjointed experience for some viewers. | |
| Screenplay | The film's romantic subplots are often viewed as underdeveloped or extraneous to the central narrative of the protagonist's redemption. | |
| Pacing | The deliberate, contemplative pace and simple production style draw praise for their authenticity, though some critics find these elements hollow or slow upon revisiting. |