Quiet Flows the Don (1 Viewer)

[BLReed]

Has anyone seen this film?

Here are two different version. Supposed to be a third, but I can't find it

One 1957 --330 minutes, in Russian w/ English Subtitles, digitally remastered and released in 2006


The second version is 177 minutes in English. A 2006 Television Series

http://www.kinokultura.com/2008/21r-don.shtml
Quiet Flows the Don is a film of truly epic proportions, based on the Nobel prize-winning novel by Mikail Sholokov. At 5 1/2 hours long, this love story chronologically centered on the Russian Revolution is probably the most detailed account of Cossack culture that exists cinematically. Grigory Melekhov (Pyotr Glebov) is a Cossack who falls in love with a fellow soldier's wife, Askinia (Elina Bystritskaya), which causes scandal in their small village along the Don River. Askinia's husband repeatedly beats her, and when she becomes pregnant Grigory takes her away, to escape her brutal husband and Grigory's wife by arranged marriage, Nathalia (Zinaida Kiriyenko). When war hits, Grigory is drafted and leaves Askinia to care for the baby, which results in tragedy. World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution take up the bulk of the plot that details the political discrepancies between the Reds and Whites within Russian borders. Quiet Flows the Don, therefore, is as politically enlightening as it is a fascinating look at the Cossacks' rich heritage. Relentlessly slow at times, the film is indicative of the Russian affinity (in literature) for describing the human condition in excruciating detail, as a tragedy that is only sometimes relieved by love. The levels of tragedy in Quiet Flows the Don delve so deep that it is hard to watch, though one feels it worthwhile to persevere for kernels of truth nonetheless. A full DVD of extras, such as interviews with the actors and shorts about Cossack culture, make the 4-disc set feel especially complete.

 

[jazzeum]

Amazon seems to show a third, in Russian. The book is considered the WW I equivalent of War and Peace.

 

[lancer]

The book is a beast. When first published in English translation in 1941, it was 4 volumes. There was an earlier translation done in 1934 but it only included the first half of the novel. The entire novel is around 1600-1700 pages, depending on edition. Reading this novel is no small undertaking. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I'm not sure if the length is completely correct. It was published in four volumes but the Signet edition, which is 560 or so pages long, brings together all four volumes. However, there seem to be a lot of editions, some not so good. I may need to ask a Russian expert which is the one to read.

I'm getting near to the end of War and Peace and this book is probably next on my list.

 

[lancer]

I'm not sure if the length is completely correct. It was published in four volumes but the Signet edition, which is 560 or so pages long, brings together all four volumes. However, there seem to be a lot of editions, some not so good. I may need to ask a Russian expert which is the one to read.

I'm getting near to the end of War and Peace and this book is probably next on my list.

Brad, the page count I quoted comes from the 1974 edition by Progress Publishers in Moscow. The exact page count for their 4 volumes is 1650. US translations are sure to vary because it has been done in a 4 volume and 2 volume formats. There is even a 5 volume version. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Al, I sent an email to a Russian literature expert. Don't know if he'll answer me. The whole thing is a bit confusing.

 

[jazzeum]

I have just about finished And Quiet Flows the Don. It’s as good as made out to be. It was first published in 1928. The sequel is The Don Flows Home to the Sea and was published in 1940. Each book is considered a separate work in itself. Together they’re known as The Silent Don.

The other books are Harvest on the Don, The Seeds of Tomorrow and Tales of the Don.

 

[jazzeum]

In re-reading all that I could find about the books and which comes next, it's still a bit confusing although I think The Don Flows to the Sea is next.

What’s even more outstanding is that a new translation hasn’t appeared from one of the major publishing houses in thirty or so years, which appears to be a Penguin one. I’ve managed to find a copy in England, which I ordered. Contrast that with War and Peace, where we’ve had two translations in the past few years. The copy of And Quiet Flows the Don that I have is from Vintage International (part of Random House) and was published in 1989 and was based on a translation from 1934. For a classic like this, that’s amazing.