Beware of the Car!
Beware of the Car!

Movie spotlight

Beware of the Car!

1966
Movie
94 min
Russian

An insurance agent who moonlights as a car thief steals cars various crooks and never from the common people. He sells the stolen cars and gives the money to charity. His best friend, a cop, is assigned to bring in this modern robin hood.

Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Director: Yuli RaizmanGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A celebrated Soviet actor, Yuri Dyakov, faces a moral crisis when he discovers his luxurious new car, a symbol of his success, was obtained through illicit dealings and corruption within the state system. He grapples with the guilt of benefiting from a compromised society and the potential consequences of exposing the truth, which could jeopardize his career and personal life.

Critical Reception

The film was a significant cultural event in the Soviet Union, lauded for its intelligent screenplay and the powerful performance of its lead. It resonated with audiences for its nuanced exploration of morality and integrity within a system often perceived as rigid. While not widely released internationally, it is considered a classic of Soviet cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its thought-provoking examination of conscience and societal hypocrisy.

  • Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy's performance is widely regarded as a masterclass in subtle acting.

  • The film effectively captures the moral dilemmas faced by individuals within the Soviet system.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not readily available for this Soviet-era film.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Golden Bear at the 1966 Berlin International Film Festival. Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy received accolades for his role.

Fun Fact

The film's original title was 'The Car', but it was changed to 'Beware of the Car!' to avoid potential censorship issues and to add a more allegorical warning.

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