Tchaikovsky (Russian: Чайковский) is a 1970 Soviet biopic film directed by Igor Talankin. It featured Innokenty Smoktunovsky in the role of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film as well as the Academy Award for Original Song Score and Adaptation.
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Plot
When Tchaikovsky is composing his First Piano Concerto, his friend Nikolai Grigoryevich Rubinstein refuses to play it at the premiere, considering it unplayable. After the disappointment of Swan Lake, Nadezhda Filaretowna von Meck, a wealthy widow, sends him financial support.
Later, Tchaikovsky embarks on his opera Eugene Onegin, receiving a love letter from student Antonina Ivanovna. His attempt to meet her leads to his brief arrest. He then dedicates his Fourth Symphony to von Meck, who hopes Tchaikovsky's marriage will bring him peace.
Struggling with married life, Tchaikovsky attempts suicide. Von Meck intervenes, offering financial aid to secure his divorce. Meanwhile, Rubinstein, after playing the concerto favorably in Paris, dies. Tchaikovsky declines the opportunity to head the Moscow Conservatory.
Returning to Russia, Tchaikovsky faces criticism for The Maid of Orleans. Von Meck abruptly cuts ties after hosting a party in his honor. Despite attempts to tarnish Tchaikovsky's reputation, he finds success with Queen of Spades.
Learning of von Meck's illness, Tchaikovsky composes his final symphony, Pathétique. He succumbs to cholera shortly after its premiere, marking the end of his prolific career.
Cast
Innokenty Smoktunovsky as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Antonina Shuranova as Nadezhda von Meck
Kirill Lavrov as Władysław Pachulski
Vladislav Strzhelchik as Nikolai Rubinstein
Yevgeny Leonov as Alyosha
Maya Plisetskaya as Désirée Artôt
Bruno Freindlich as Ivan Turgenev
Alla Demidova as Yulia von Meck
Yevgeny Yevstigneyev as Herman Laroche
Nina Agapova as a guest
Maria Vinogradova as a lady calling for the police
Nikolay Trofimov as chief of police
Laurence Harvey as Narrator (English version)