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Desyat Negrityat

(Contains spoilers!)

jane_poirot 12 Jul 09 at 11:08 p.m. GMT

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I can't be the only AC fan on here who has heard of Desyat Negrityat, aka, the Russian film version of And Then There Were None. For those of you new to AC, whenever someone mentions "the Russian version" in an ATTWN-related topic (ie, "that movie was good, but not quite like the Russian version"), this is what they're talking about.

(This topic is spoiler-happy, btw!)

Now I'm open-minded to using either the play's ending or the book's ending, but this is the only version to use the book's ending, and it pulls it off well. It is downright excellent as a movie by itself, but stands up pretty well alongside the book. Some people may try to tell you that the 1945 film version is the best adaptation of the book. These people may not realize it, but it is the best English-speaking adaptation of the book. This is the real deal. My one complaint is that it takes place in England and yet everybody speaks in Russian...nah, I'm only kidding, lol.

So if anyone has seen it and would like to post any comments, fire away. If anyone has read the book but has not seen this version, check out Amazon.

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8 replies

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GKCfan 13 Jul 09 at 1:34 a.m. GMT

I enjoyed this version very much.  I liked how the subtitles use a lot of the exact wording of the book.  One problem is that a few of the characters didn;t look anything like how I pictured them.

Boomcoach 14 Jul 09 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

I have heard of this, but have not had the opportunity to see it.  I have heard that there is also a very good Russion Sherlock Holmes movie.

go_leafs_nation 14 Jul 09 at 9:52 p.m. GMT

This is a fantastic little thriller. Although I agree with GKCfan that the characters looked little like I pictured them, they worked together perfectly.

Attica76 03 Jan 10 at 4:45 p.m. GMT

jane poirot, being from the former Soviet Union (Ukraine), I'm surprised and pleased to hear what you say about the film. For example, I didn't know this was the only version to use the actual book's ending.

The film is good, thanks to the director (who has many other excellent films under his belt) and an all-star cast. The setting and atmosphere are great.

Boomcoach, there really is an excellent Soviet series of Sherlock Holmes movies made in 1979-86. For his portrayal of Holmes, Vasily Livanov was awarded the Order of the British Empire a few years ago.

Lil_Bit 23 Jul 10 at 3:55 a.m. GMT

Aside from the awful subtitles, I was very pleased with this version. It was a bit long, but it was certainly more faithful to the book than any other version (with the possible exception of the 1945 version). The only character whose appearance disappointed me was Miss Brent. I always pictured her as older, and certainly not as a blonde.

Ms_Kylie_Menage 04 Aug 10 at 8:15 a.m. GMT

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By far, the very best version we have of this story on film. Not only because the ending is the same as the book, but it helps too that we see (in flashback) some of the crimes the suspects have committed. There is real depth due to the psychological effects of the old crimes being portrayed.

The thing that really annoyed me about this almost-perfect adaptation is that they show that Wargrave is still alive BEFORE Vera hangs herself. WHY?! This lessens the impact greatly. Remember - up until this, we are supposed to be conflicted in our sympathies for her - as the sole survivor we are supposed to be under the impression SHE may be Owen. And then we see her hang herself, which is utterly shocking. That we see Wargrave is alive before this gives the whole show away just a little bit too soon.

So...I used my computer's software to cut just ten seconds from the film! It is so much better now (in my opinion) with those ten seconds cut. We still see Wargrave lying on his bed, but I cut it just before he starts to move. So much better (again in my opinion) to have the final twist revealed after the devastating shock of Vera hanging herself, wracked by the guilt of what she did to little Cyril.

I found another program online that assists with amending subtitles. I have corrected the grammar and spelling errors and now it is perfect!

Now, to really complete my joy, I need to find English subtitles for the excellent Russian mini-series of The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd (which so brilliantly copies the book by being narrated - something the Suchet version desperately needed.) 

Number3 01 Feb 11 at 1:49 p.m. GMT

This film is listed in a list of Christie films that I found.  It lists it as being made in 1987.

This list also has German as well as French films. 

I'll have to check at the library if they have "Desyat."  We have a large Russian community so hopefully it will be on the shelf.

murder_is_easy123 29 Oct 11 at 10:38 a.m. GMT

I don't understand why every film had to use the corny happy ending.  It betrays the creepiness of the story.  The 1974 film would be one of the best Christie films ever if only everyone died in the end!

On the other hand, this film is great.  I watched it late at night, and I was sheer terrified when I went to bed!