In 2013, near the building of the Ministry of Defense, a monument was opened to the Officers. It was planned to establish a number of thematic sculptural compositions on Frunze Embankment in the future. However, today the monument, which will be discussed in this article, is the only one.
Monument "Officers" on the Frunze Embankment is unique. It was created in honor of the Russian military, but its heroes are by no means historical figures.
Monument Creation
In early 2013, the Minister of Defense proposed to erect a monument to military dynasties, families in which men from generation to generation went to serve in the army. They began to implement the idea. True, the characters for the memorial were not real people, but the heroes of the film “Officers”.
The monument on Frunze Embankment, the photo of which is presented in the article, was created by the sculptors of the Grekov Studio of Military Artists. The composition depicts the final scene, that is, the meeting of Varrava with his friends - Alexei and Lyubov Trofimov, as well as their grandson, a cadet of the military school.
Solemn Event
At the official opening of the monument "Officers" (on Frunze Embankment), not only the military were present, but also the actors who starred in the famous film. Sergei Shoigu, during a welcoming speech, recalled the role of art in choosing a profession. He recalled that the film "Officers" is a feat of many people to choose a military career. Vasily Lanovoi also made a speech, at the end of which he recited a poem by Pushkin.
A film might not have been shot
The picture, whose heroes are immortalized in the monument "Officers" on the Frunze Embankment, was considered unsuccessful more than forty years ago, almost put on a shelf. Officials criticized everything about her. And most of all went to the plot, which, according to the filmmakers, was implausible.
The filmmakers did not hope for high-profile success. And even more so, they could not imagine that someday a monument would be erected in honor of the heroes of the film “Officers” on Frunzenskaya Street, or in any other place in the center of Moscow.
But they still hoped that the Soviet audience would like the picture. A lot of time was spent on the choice and approval of the actors. At first, Lanovoy refused the main role in the film. He reluctantly decided to star in the film, which later became legendary. The performer of another leading role, George Yumatov, was also skeptical. The script seemed superficial to him.
Vladimir Rogovoy had a little directorial experience. The film became his second picture. The first was a comedy that seemed too light for critics. They did not approve of the film "Officers." The film was given the third category, which meant a limited screening and premiere at a bad time.
Officer wife
Initially, the picture was to be called "Lyubochka." According to the original idea, the officer’s wife was supposed to be the main character in the picture. The screenwriter K. Rapoport came to the writer Boris Vasiliev with this idea, who became his co-author.
But the opinion of the military wives in society was not the best. They supposedly, living in garrisons, do nothing, just visit shops and military stores. But Lyuba Trofimova was different. She had an excellent education, spoke French, was versed in literature, and at the same time put up with ascetic existence and frequent moving. But its main feature was a rare devotion. The story of the officer’s wife was supplanted by the main storyline dedicated to real male friendship.
Starring
Vasily Lanovoy approved for the main role of hopelessness. According to members of the artistic council, the appearance of this actor lacked severity. B. Vasiliev insisted on the candidacy of Yumatov for the role of Trofimov. This actor was a legendary person. He knew firsthand what war was. After the Great Victory, Yumatov did not know what to do. About an acting career did not even think. Once, in the restaurant of the House of Cinema, a famous director drew attention to him, who planned to create the picture "Spring". This was the beginning of the career of George Yumatov.
Re-premiere
In the summer of 1971, the film, which officials doomed to failure, suddenly began to gather full halls. “Officers” walked exclusively in the daytime. After all, it was a picture with a low category. The time has come to rent a movie, but cinema workers also could not take into account the audience demand. People all walked. Some for the second, for the third time. At the same time, there was not a single review of the film "Officers".
Among the enthusiastic spectators was the wife of the then Minister of Defense Andrei Grechko. In Lyuba Trofimova - the main character - she saw herself. And she praised the film to her husband. So the picture of Victor Rogovoy received influential support.
This was a unique case in Soviet cinema. A second premiere took place, and at the best time for hire. Then another 53 million viewers watched the film. And that was not the end. The film has become one of the most popular for several decades. Even today, viewers love him, and not only representatives of the older generation. Muscovites and guests of the capital will not forget about the heroes of the film "Officers" and the monument on Frunze Embankment, near house 22.