León Tolstói was the Russian author chosen by the makers of this excellent movie to be the basis for the film script, with his novel "The Kreutzer Sonata". Being one of the leaders and precursor of the Naturalism in literature, his themes are usually the conflicts between man and woman seen from a somber point of view.
We notice that from the very beginning of the film, with a group of aristocrats discussing in the comfort of the first class train cabin, while traversing the icy Russian steppes and being detained at the time by a huge snowstorm that will last for hours, the mores of their time (the nineteenth century) when this unknown passenger interrupts their discussion shocking them with a personal revelation.
Eventually the mysterious passenger goes to his own cabin, where he relates his private tragedy to the only other passenger there.
Flash back to the start of his unhappy marriage, marred by his terrible jealousy, that will evolve to an unbearable pitch reducing his lovely wife into a nervous wreck, since she has done nothing to deserve such treatment.
Splendid Zully Moreno in one of her best performances, magnificent in period costumes excellently designed and executed by Eduardo Lerchundi, one of the great dress designers of the 1940s.
Zully's waist in those costumes is so small that one must see it to believe it. She was so elegant and photogenic!!
Pedro López Lagar plays the jealous husband in a veritable tour de force. He is fantastic depicting this tormented man.
SPOILERS AHEAD * * * * *
Man that little by little falls in the deepest abyss of unjustified jealousy and eventual craziness that will resolve in dark and final tragedy at the end.
END OF SPOILERS * * * * *
The sets, the wardrobe, the lighting, the music, the interpretations are top drawer. If one could only find a sharp copy of this film...
We notice that from the very beginning of the film, with a group of aristocrats discussing in the comfort of the first class train cabin, while traversing the icy Russian steppes and being detained at the time by a huge snowstorm that will last for hours, the mores of their time (the nineteenth century) when this unknown passenger interrupts their discussion shocking them with a personal revelation.
Eventually the mysterious passenger goes to his own cabin, where he relates his private tragedy to the only other passenger there.
Flash back to the start of his unhappy marriage, marred by his terrible jealousy, that will evolve to an unbearable pitch reducing his lovely wife into a nervous wreck, since she has done nothing to deserve such treatment.
Splendid Zully Moreno in one of her best performances, magnificent in period costumes excellently designed and executed by Eduardo Lerchundi, one of the great dress designers of the 1940s.
Zully's waist in those costumes is so small that one must see it to believe it. She was so elegant and photogenic!!
Pedro López Lagar plays the jealous husband in a veritable tour de force. He is fantastic depicting this tormented man.
SPOILERS AHEAD * * * * *
Man that little by little falls in the deepest abyss of unjustified jealousy and eventual craziness that will resolve in dark and final tragedy at the end.
END OF SPOILERS * * * * *
The sets, the wardrobe, the lighting, the music, the interpretations are top drawer. If one could only find a sharp copy of this film...
