Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession (1973)
1h 33m | PG-13
A scientist builds a time machine and accidentally sends his apartment complex manager and a petty burglar to 16th century Moscow, while Tsar Ivan the Terrible travels to 1973.
Director: Leonid Gaidai
Studio: Mosfilm
Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction
Video: 720p
Cast
Aleksandr Demyanenko
as Александр Тимофеев, инженер-изобретатель /Шурик
Yuriy Yakovlev
as царь Иван Васильевич Грозный / управдом Иван Васильевич Бунша
Leonid Kuravlyov
as Жорж Милославский / князь Милославский
Mikhail Pugovkin
as Карп Савельевич Якин
Vladimir Etush
as Антон Семенович Шпак
Savely Kramarov
as Феофан, дьяк посольского приказу
Reviews
The film is praised for its manic and fast-paced energy, as well as its unique blend of slapstick and clever humor. It is considered an example of how comedy can thrive and even contain subtle social commentary under a repressive regime. The use of physical comedy, sped-up chase scenes, and goofy music, a trademark of director Gaidai, contributes to the film's comedic appeal. While some of the cultural references and in-jokes may be lost on Western audiences, the film's artistic richness and entertainment value have made it a widely loved comedy. The film features strong performances, particularly from Yuri Yakovlev, who masterfully plays both the timid apartment manager and the demanding Tsar. The elaborate castle settings and colorful cinematography also add to the film's charm.