Oci ciornie
Aboard a ship late in the 19th-century, a middle-aged Italian tells his story of love to a Russian.
In a series of flashbacks filmed almost entirely in creams, whites, and ochers, the clownish and superfluous Romano Patroni leaves his wife's opulent home to visit a spa where he falls in love with a Russian woman whose marriage is a horror.
He pursues her into the Russian heartland and returns to Italy resolved to leave his wife and marry his love. His amazed and appreciative Russian listener then narrates a shorter story.
Directed by
Nikita Mikhalkov
Cast
Marcello Mastroianni - Romano
Silvana Mangano - Elisa
Marthe Keller - Tina
Elena Sofonova - Anna
Vsevolod Larionov - Pavel
Innokenti Smoktunovsky - Governor of Sisoiev
Pina Cei - Elisa's Mother
Roberto Herlitzka - Lawyer
Paolo Baroni - Manlio
Oleg Tabakov - His Grace
Yuri Bogatirojov - Marshall of Nobility
Dimitri Zolothukin - Konstantin
Jean-Pierre Bardos - Lazy Guest
Nino Bignamini - Buyer
Maria Grazia Bon - Buyer's Wife
Mauro Brusini - Magician
Production Co.
Excelsior Cinematografica
RAI-TV Channel 1
Adriana Cinematografica
Produced by
Gilbert Marouani
Silvia D'Amico Bendico
Carlo Cucchi
Studio
UGC DA International
Writer
Aleksandr Adabashyan
Nikita Mikhalkov
Music
Francis Lai
