Customer Reviews

The Overcoat [VHS]

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This short (73 minute) black&white film is a faithful adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's short story Shinel'. Rolan Bykov is perfect in the role of Akakiy Akakiyevich, a lonely little man who toils as an insignificant clerk. Akakiy endures ridicule from his neighbors and coworkers, particularly because of his shabby, patched old overcoat. He dreams of the day when he will be able to afford a splendid new overcoat, which will be custom sewn by his neighbor Petrovich, a drunken but still talented tailor. To this end, he scrimps and saves, sacrificing the necessities, such as heating, and the pleasures, such as tea. When he receives an unexpected bonus, he spends his entire fortune on the dream overcoat, with a warm liner and an attachable cape. And a collar of cat fur which "looks like sable from a distance!" Straightway, Akakiy's miserable existence seems to change. He is invited to a company party "in honor of" his new overcoat! A French lady even pays attention to him on the street! What matter that she is a prostitute, and only using him to give the police the slip? To Akakiy, the world now sees him differently: in his fine coat he is a Moscow gentleman. But, as in many Russian comedies, heartbreaking tragedy awaits around the corner. The diminutive Akakiy is assaulted by a pair of ruffians and his new overcoat torn from his back! Akakiy is shattered by its loss. The police will not help him. He embarks on a frenzied and futile search, and ultimately dies, feverish and delirious, in his tiny room. Soon afterward, Moscow squares are haunted by an unusual little ghost. This subtitled film will appeal to those who appreciate Russian literature and enjoy the 19th century setting and costume.