Spy detective. A screen adaptation of the novel of the same name by the famous Soviet and Russian writer and journalist Yulian Semyonov, in turn based on real events. He was also the author of the script here, so you don't have to worry about the original source. Well, now it's time to say goodbye to the world of intelligence and espionage (which will still flicker in other films), and decided to end it on this hit of the Soviet period, which the older generation of viewers watch and love to review, which I finally watched in full, without being distracted by any what, and here's my brief opinion - the KGB against the American "mole". Despite my good impression of the show, the merits of which are obvious to everyone, there were some drawbacks, which I will mention in order to be honest with you. On this, let your humble servant finish with the introductory part and get down to the point.
So, the advantages:
1. Scenario - in one of the African countries, whose government is friends with the Soviet Union and receives assistance from it, an armed coup is planned, in which local CIA agents play a key role, and if they succeed, the USSR will face complications in the international arena and undermining authority. Not only that, there is information that the CIA recruited a Soviet citizen who transmits from Moscow information constituting a state secret, including regarding assistance to a friendly African government. The KGB only knows the call sign of the spy "Trianon". KGB General Konstantinov begins to search for an agent in Moscow, and a colonel of the same department, Slavin, is sent to Africa in order to stop the actions of the CIA on the spot and prevent a coup. For ten episodes, they manage to tell us a dashing and confusing story about the confrontation between intelligence services, human relations, political games of the leading superpowers, from our position, showing the United States and the CIA in the truthful position of warmongers, for whom peaceful coexistence with the USSR is impossible, therefore they use the most insidious intrigues in order to harm our country anywhere in the world, and preferably as painful as possible. Well, and the courage and intelligence of the KGB agents who manage to unravel this tangle and thereby destroy the plans of the American imperialists. Moreover, all the events really took place in reality in the late seventies, and the creators of the series were consulted by the KGB officers.
2. Dialogues - heroes and simple human emotions are revealed in them, and it is interesting to listen to them, since the Chekists have to communicate with completely different people, from the valiant patriots of the Fatherland, to the former "Vlasovites" and other traitors to the Motherland. I especially liked the dialogues between Slavin and the CIA officer, played by Vakhtang Kikabidze, and with the American journalist, played by Dmitry Petrenko. Especially in the field of history and relations between the two countries and systems.
3. The atmosphere is tense, nervous and intimidating. Because the KGB agents have to eliminate the "leak" as soon as possible and prevent the coup, having minimal information. And here everything depends on the qualities of each person on the spot, his ability to think outside the box, recognize people, their habits, their aspirations, and so on. The creators clearly managed to plunge the viewer into the maelstrom of the events taking place.
4. Scenery - some of the filming took place in socialist Cuba, some in Moscow, so the residents of the capital recognize many places, although some have already changed almost beyond recognition. When watching the series, there is no falsehood, because you believe everything that happens.
5. Patriotism - it literally comes through from every frame, from every scene. KGB officers are shown as ordinary people who have miscalculations and failures, but they analyze their mistakes, and again perform the assigned tasks from understanding the need for their work, their profession, without which at all times the state was hard, and in the modern world its role has increased many times ... No wonder the series received the KGB award.
So the disadvantages:
1. Understatement - well, that's why it is? What happened to this hero? What about this? Damn, ten episodes we were told an exciting spy detective story, and at the end they did not even mention the further fate of the heroes and how everything was resolved. And how is this to be understood?
2. Names - why were the real countries renamed? Heroes okay, but why was Angola called Nagonia? It sounds silly to me. Everyone already understands which country is meant. This is not only stupid, but also funny in some way.
3. Lack of dynamics - dialogues, reasoning, this is the basis of this series. There are practically no chases and fights here. It was boring for me to watch, not boring, but rather boring, since not all dialogues in the series deserve interest. And I understand that this is the work of intelligence, and not constant explosions and gunfights. But boring.
A little about the main characters:
1. Konstantin Konstantinov, performed by Vyacheslav Tikhonov, is a KGB general tasked with finding the Trianon and neutralizing the US station in Moscow. An intelligent, reasonable, balanced and stubborn security officer who needs to find, as they say, "a needle in a haystack." And Vyacheslav Vasilyevich Tikhonov coped with it just fine. He can do with words alone what sometimes cannot be achieved under a dozen tortures. Bravo Vyacheslav Vasilievich!
2. Vitaly Slavin performed by Yuri Solomin - a KGB colonel sent to Africa to prevent a coup and to find out the identity of Trianon on the spot. An intelligent and calculating scout who understands where he got to and who instantly managed to settle down in the surrounding space, establishing contacts with CIA agents and "interested parties". Yuri Methodievich splendidly played an experienced and attractive Chekist who personifies a Russian person in every sense of the word. Bravo Yuri Methodievich!
3. John Glabb, performed by Vakhtang Kikabidze - Deputy CIA resident, who is preparing an armed coup. Sly, cruel, cunning. Hates the USSR and its political and social system. A strong enemy that must be defeated by Colonel Slavin. Now I understand why Kikabidze is always snarling at Russia - it's just that the old man hasn't left the image of a CIA spy. And he succeeds in this role.
And many more famous and wonderful Soviet and Russian actors, the listing of which will take tens of minutes. Therefore, you can not worry about the acting!
As a result, we have a good spy detective story of ten episodes, with an excellent script, excellent atmosphere, interesting and boring dialogues, explicit and well-presented patriotism and a whole scattering of great and great actors.
My rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
