What paid for the success of the actors who played in the film “Viy”, and how their fates developed

There is hardly a person who has not heard about the writer Nikolai Gogol. Only he could convey the beauty of Ukrainian culture. In his stories and stories a lot of mystical and unusual. Not every director was ready to screen his creations. But there were daredevils ready to write the script and even star in such films. One of these films is still considered to be “Viy” 1967. What? cast agreed to test their fate and how it all ended for them, today the editorial office will tell. "Site".



One of the main roles, the daughter of the centurion Pannochka, was played by Natalia Varley. Then she was considered the most beautiful woman of Soviet cinema. In one interview, Natalia admitted that mysticism happened all the time on the set. But either youth or misunderstanding did not stop the process of filming. After the release of the film, Natalia Varley was baptized, but never relieved herself of a grave sin, the actress believes.



The cast of actors for the film gathered quite quickly. For Leonid Kuravlev, who played Homa, "Viy" became a pass to the big movie. All his famous roles were after the mystical film. So for some actors, the movie was a blessing, not a sin. Things were more difficult with the search for an actress for a witch. None of the candidates received consent from the director. No actress could bring the horror that was described in the story.



At that time in Soviet cinema there was a tradition. Mystical and unusual female images were played by male actors. After all, who else could play Babu Yaga so flawlessly in the film “Frost”, but George Millar? And the famous role of Oleg Tabakov in Mary Poppins, Goodbye!, where he played Mrs. Andrew. The unsurpassed role of aunt from Brazil Alexander Kalyagin in the comedy Hello, I am your aunt! Therefore, the candidacy of actor Nikolai Kutuzov was proposed for the role of a witch in Vie. He then just finished shooting in the film by Andrei Tarkovsky “Andrey Rublev”. His piercing look in the image of the abbot struck the director Yegor Kropachev.



At the time of the release of the film Kutuzov Nikolai Nikolaevich was already 70 years old. He was born in the family of an engineer in the Ural city of Kyshtym. He was very educated, knew five foreign languages, recited poems and poems, played musical instruments. With the advent of Soviet power went to tour with the troupe of the provincial theater. But the young talented actor was quickly noticed and invited to film in Moscow. His acting life was very bright and intense. After the war, he became more and more a director. Sometimes he played episodic roles. The role of a witch in the film “Viy” brought Nikolai Kutuzov popularity.



Actor Nikolai Kutuzov Actor starred in films until almost 80 years. His last acting film was The Legend of Thiel in 1976. No actor in 5 years. He never managed to personally present the award of the Honored Artist of the RSFSR. Nikolai Kutuzov a few days before his death learned that he was awarded such a high rank. He said: “He is pleased to know that his contribution to the development of culture and creativity was so highly appreciated by the leadership of the country.”



Despite all sorts of horrors and horror stories that still hover around the story “Viy” and its creator Nikolai Gogol, for many actors of the film, the picture became a ticket to the future. And our editors highly recommend once again to review this wonderful filmed production with incredible special effects of the time.