The Brothers Karamazov (1958)

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, based on the novel of the same name, is the consummate tale of good and evil. The story homes in on a father and his four sons and their tangled family relations. The libertine father is ultimately murdered and the final act of the movie finds the eldest son Andrey (Yul Brynner), on trial for his life.

Yul Brynner The Ten Commandments, Taras Bulba ) delivers his finest of many, many fine performances in this cinematic masterpiece, as the wastrel eldest son (a chip off the old block), wrongfully accused of his father's murder. Lee J. Cobb (12 Angry Men) is wonderful as the rascally, lecherous father of the four brothers Karamazov. He spends his time drinking and wenching and squandering the sons’ inheritance (from their dead mothers) of which he is the trustee. Maria Schell (Grushenka) and Claire Bloom (Katya) provide the feminine interest with style and flair.

Maria Schell, as the love interest, is the very personification of evil in her fine portrait of the sluttish vamp, playing the son against the father. She beams her broad smile at just the right moment to let you know she’s up to no good. Claire Bloom (The Spy Who Came in from the Cold) in another captivating performance, first spurns, then falls hopelessly in love with Brynner when she sees his underlying honor and good nature. Richard Basehart (Moby Dick) is the son who doesn't believe in God, and spends his time telling everybody about it. He also has the hots for Claire Bloom but is too lame to do something about it. Pre-Star Trek William Shatner, in his screen debut, is the son who believes in God enough to become a priest. Albert Salmi is the bastard son of Karamazov senior, Smerdyakov, who has a dreadful secret of his own. You must see this film yourself for the exciting conclusion.

All the performances are uniformly excellent and the marvelous direction of Richard Brooks (Key Largo) and cinematography by John Alton evoke the lively, colorful atmosphere of nineteenth-century Czarist Russia, providing a great backdrop to this fine piece of cinematic art. The folk music score, by Bronislau Kaper, with its wailing mandolins and violins suits the atmosphere perfectly.

The Brothers Karamazov (1958) is only available in VHS from MGM. It is a pity that this fine film is not more appreciated as it would be wonderful with a full DVD treatment and I hope MGM gets with it soon.

History buffs, psychological thriller buffs, courtroom drama buffs, and lovers of fine cinema will like this movie.

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Recommended: Yes