Search - Kidnapping Caucassian Style on DVD

Laughing in "Caucasian" style.

Igor Lurye | USA | 10/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The movie touched hearts of a few generations of the Russian-speaking movie goers, and is an unquestioned comedy classic.

Now that it is available on the DVD, the American viewers can see for themselves what the best of late-Soviet era comedy was all about.
On that note, let me summarize a few things that will perhaps clarify where to laugh (definitely not after i scream "SHOVEL!")

An anthropology student Shurik travels to a region known for its long standing hospitality and wine-culture - the Caucases mountains. On the way to his project area he meets a young komsomolka who turns out to be a niece of a driver to the Secretary of the local Raikomitet, a title equal to a Governor of the province. The aging once ferocious mountain lion likes the girl and proposes a fair exchange - a girl in return for the number of cattle and a Finnish (no less) refrigirator - a rare and much sought of item in those days. Well, after the girl refuses to go willingly - a kidnapping is planned with the help of the Magnificent Three - Biggs, Hooligan, and Coward played by Morgunov, Nikulin and Vitzin respectively.

Now every Russian knows how funny the 3 are. But let me try to single out WHY they seem funny to us. Being something akin to the 3 Stooges, the Crooks show 3 types that were peculiar in the Soviet Union's street culture, or perhaps even a prison system. The Biggs played by Morgunov is a fat strong guy with the leadership qualities - kind of "vor v zakone" - if he ever falls, he falls really loud. Hooligan played by the best ever - Yuri Nikulin is a type representing a more minor crook, a thief with a lot of wit, who is however often times numbed out by his love for drinking. And finally Coward played by Vitzin - a universally excepted expert of the Soviet comedy, a whining petty pocket thief, who survives solely on whining and his wit which goes as far as fooling his own buddies with a perfectly innocent face.

The "Secretary" played by Etush displays typical machismo qualities like a love of wine and women, devilish eyebrows, and a perfectly Caucasian accent, da?! "Komsomolka" played by the lovely sex-idol Natalia Varley is a brave camper-girl who loves to dance and sing, and twist. Finally the "Driver" played by Mkrtchan (an Armenian star actor) is a ruffian who has infinite love for money and all things material, a "typical" inhabitant of the region. And FINALLY the protagonist Shurik - is an archetypical Russian Ivanushka Durachok - a dupe, who is nevertheless brave, intelligent, yet timid - a model for many of us."