An Unfinished Piece for Player Piano
Our Price: $43.55
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases
Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Product details
Actor: Gennadi Ivanov, S. Bachkyrova, Sergei Guryev, Yevgeniya Glushenko, Yuri BogatyryovEdition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Subtitled); Russian (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 100 minutes
Release Date: 1996-12-17
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Connoisseur Video
Studio: Connoisseur Video
VHS Movie Reviews of An Unfinished Piece for Player Piano
Movie Review: A great revival of a Chekhov original.
Summary: 5 Stars
When I lived in Moscow, I was fortunate to see a revival of "Platonov," Chekhov's first play written at age 19. When it was rejected, he tore it up. But a copy was found in the 1920's and revived. Then on Moscow TV I watched Nikita Mikhalkov's great adaptation of it. It is so typical of Chekhov's images of the despondent and pointless life of Russian gentry in the late 19th century. It is full of contrasts at that time; fascinating, intellectual, and boring. The Russians in this pivotal time in Russian history seemed to find much in common and Chekhov is very much in style today. I have many favorite scenes.
By Frederick R. Andresen, author of "Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia."
Movie Review: Perfect portrayal of Chekhov's world
Summary: 5 Stars
From the opening moments of gay laughter and silliness to the closing shots of a lost Russian social class fading into time, Nikita Mikhalkov's film 'An Unfinished Piece for Player Piano' is perfect Chekhov. Drawn from 'Mr. Platonov', the story circles around a group of relatives and friends at a country estate. Everyone is giddy with boredom until a woman arrives who was Platonov's youthful love in past years. This arrival stirs up old memories and questions Platonov has never resolved about the former relationship and his life direction. Others are affected by his changed mood, and they too begin to question certain relationships among them. In Chekhov there is never tragedy in the sense of anger, betrayal, and death, but rather in nuances of missed opportunities, regrets, and critical life insights always achieved in hindsight. Most of his plays leave you with a feeling of sadness and yearning for character types that no longer exist. The turn-of-the-century people he presents are part of a fading aristocracy that will be eliminated by the revolution of 1917. In this production, the ending is sweet. I have read and seen Chekhov's plays, but until you see a fine Russian production such as this one, you can never quite experience the tone and color of the story as Chekhov himself intended. The acting is superb (and includes Director Mikhalkov himself). A must see.Movie Review: If you want to understand Chekhov, see this film.
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is amazing, I only wish that it were more widely available
Russia Video
Video Genres
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in Russia Video
Leningrad Cowboys Go AmericaOrion Home Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.99
Early Russian Cinema 3: Starewicz's Fantasies (Dragonfly and the Ant, Christmas Eve, Lily of Belgium)Milestone Video; Release date: 2002-01-08; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Come and SeeKino Video; Release date: 2001-10-23; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.46
Price in other shops:
Moscow ParadeFirst Run Features; Release date: 2002-10-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $13.99
Price in other shops:
Queen MargotMiramax; Release date: 1996-04-30; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.74
Price in other shops:
Andrei RublevFox Lorber; Release date: 1997-11-11; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $8.86
Price in other shops:
The ThiefSony Pictures; Release date: 2000-01-11; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $43.92
Alexander NevskyKultur Video; Release date: 1995-06-26; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
Close to EdenParamount; Release date: 2001-04-03; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Burnt by the SunSony Pictures; Release date: 1996-10-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Similar Video, DVDs, Audio CDs
The Lives of OthersSony; Release date: 2007-08-21; DVD
Best price: $12.59
Price in other shops:
Moscow Does Not Believe in TearsRelease date: 2004-02-24; DVD
Best price: $17.95
Price in other shops:
Good Bye, Lenin!Release date: 2004-08-10; DVD
Best price: $23.95
Price in other shops:
The Conformist (Extended Edition)Paramount; Release date: 2006-12-05; DVD
Best price: $8.03
Price in other shops:
Unfinished Piece for the Player PianoClose up international; Published: 2005; DVD
Best price: $15.30
War & Peace (1968)Koch International; Release date: 2007-03-13; DVD
Best price: $20.58
Price in other shops:
The Bicycle ThiefImage Entertainment; Release date: 1998-11-24; DVD
Best price: $15.19
Price in other shops:
OblomovRelease date: 2004-02-24; DVD
Best price: $18.36
Price in other shops:
Anton Chekhov's The Seagull (Broadway Theatre Archive)Release date: 2002-02-05; DVD
Best price: $18.98
Price in other shops:
Slave of LoveRelease date: 2005-08-09; DVD
Best price: $17.98
Price in other shops: