One of the most iconic films of the USSR.
There are films that stay with the viewer forever. “White sun of the desert” became a real discovery of the 20th century.
However, few people know that with the release and shooting of this picture due to many entertaining events.
1. The film to be, or brave rescuers harems!
In 1968 the “Mosfilm” were planning the release of two adventure strips, but they are scenarios and not wait for approval. Then it took Valentin Yezhov, known to viewers of the film “Ballad of a soldier”, which is so brilliantly played by Vladimir Ivashov and Zhanna Prokhorenko. Enlisting the support of veterans of the Civil war, fought in Central Asia, he quickly scribbled a new scenario, designed to please the audience “action” on the fights with the robber bands. Abandoned in the desert harems indeed existed
However, during the creation of the plot, the idea to lighten the mood and to include in the action “women’s line”. Consultants told the writer about common in the desert harems thrown fleeing from the red army bandits to their fate. The valiant defenders had nothing left as to transmit doomed to death of women to nearby villages. There was a project with the working title “save harem”.
2. The Fate Of Sukhova
The Director of the future masterpiece Vladimir Motyl very carefully approached the selection of the cast, but not without incidents. The role of Fyodor Sukhov came to Anatoly Kuznetsov, who soon broke his leg. T
Because of this, the laurels of the protagonist could decorate the career of Georgy Yumatov, but he’s almost in front of the shooting was injured in a drunken brawl, and Kuznetsov was urgently summoned to the shooting.
3. Beloved Katerina Matveyevna
More or less smoothly everything went with Abdullah, Vereshchagin, and said Petro. These characters got the Georgian star Kakha Kavsadze, Pavel Luspekaev, which even then was one of the most famous actors of the Leningrad BDT, Spartacus Mikulino and young Nicholas Godovikov. The case remained for small – to find an actress who can embody the image of the other half. Here and there was a hitch.
No one came to the role of Muse of heroic defender of the harem, while in the corridors of “Lenfilm” Director met the journalist Galina ray that is very clearly fits into the role of a racy wife Sukhov.
4. East – a delicate matter!
The film was shot in Dagestan, on the Caspian coast. The scenery was not expensive, but the local thieves found to covet. In their pockets moved expensive watch “the Tempest,” which meant Sukhov and a few other things. Joker kept his head and went cap in hand to the local authority, suggesting that his role in the film.
“Dear Ali” could not resist the temptation of fame. Then the Director lamented the lack of props. The next morning all the stolen items were in the same places.
5. Sex symbol of the desert
Kakhi Kavsadze is one of the most beautiful actors of Dagestan – just could not, in the opinion of the Director, to remain without sex scenes. Such has taken place, but was rejected by the censor. Abdullah half-naked on a bed with one of the wives looked very impressive. In his memoirs, the actor said he was very ashamed of this scene.
Joker barely forced him to undress, he drove all out of the pavilion, but in the midst of the shooting on the platform broke the woman who was the wife of the “black chieftain” – Bella. Left a terrible embarrassment…
6. Hard on the set – easy in the movies!
The film was not easy. Affected by the hot climate and lack of basic amenities. Water problems led to the fact that Nikolai Godovikov, seriously ill with dysentery. Episode: “gyulchataj, open face!” was filmed at a time when 18-year-old actor had a temperature under 40.
The troubles Petrucci is not over. Kahi, piercing the soldier with a bayonet, missed the belay plates. But, unplayed scream actor is granted the Director and the episode was OK.
7. Suffering Said
Hard times had on the set of Spartacus and Michelino. Role said was very risky. Actor hours were in the sand, suffering from the heat. He was seated in a special box and buried, leaving only the surface of the head. It caused considerable interest among the local fauna: the snake will crawl, the camel will eat it, Yes, more spit.
8. A difficult finale
When you watch this famous film, hardly think about all those vicissitudes which fall to the share of its creators and actors. On the set of “White sun of the desert” got everything, even a little involved in the art. The introduction of the picture was shot in Turkmenistan. At that time in the Karakum literally hit the sky, flooding the desert rains.
Near the town of Bairam Ali, where is the shooting area, overgrown with grass of considerable height. Greens covered dozens of kilometers of sand. Came to the aid of the local soldiers, who in a few hours weed vegetation.
9. The Secretary General gives the go-ahead!
Despite the record time of creating the painting, the leadership of the Studio was not happy with viewed. The Director had to make 27 of edits: from the “clippings” of erotica before the icon “the virgin” and replace the orchestration. But those sacrifices were in vain. The picture lay on the shelf because of irrelevance.
From oblivion the film back by accident. Once Leonid Brezhnev decided to pass the time at the cottage watching the news. The fate of a convenience store decided to send him “White sun of the desert”. The film has caused a storm of delight of the General Secretary and was immediately running in the car.
10. The long-awaited premiere and the “space promotion”
The tape was released on the big screens in 1970, and “sounded” for the entire Union. Watched it dozens of times, “sparks” quotes and copied the habits of heroes. The picture became really popular. With particular trepidation treated to an adventure in the wilderness the first astronauts. They started the tradition to re-watch the movie before each start, admiring the scenery and learning the basics of operator’s work ( as in space they have a lot to remove).
