Hopelessly Lost (1973)

As an American, Huck Finn was required reading in school. Right around the time it was required in school was just before I started wanting to make film. That was 20 years ago, yet this adaptation of Twain's masterpiece still is absolutely warm without being completely married to retelling the book line by line. Referential but not overwrought, I'm not sure if Hollywood could show this much restraint or an independent studio be so lighthearted. It's probably in my top 50 favorite films and top seven or eight by Daneliya (along with Kin Dza-Dza, Don't Grieve, Mimino, Fortuna, Passport, Autumn Marathon, Afonya, in no particular order). Despite being on the other side of the world, the tone and the feel is lovingly authentic while still giving taste of the Soviet Georgian culture in Daneliya's tongue- and-cheek New Wave style. I only discovered Daneliya a few years ago, and he quickly became my favorite filmmaker of all time. It shocks me how no one I know who were film majors or are obscure film buffs know of him. If this were made today in the US, there would be tons of political overtones and social commentary, whereas the author of the original Huckleberry Finn showed that you can do that and still have fun. This adaptation is the best American classic on screen that I have ever seen, regardless of language. I actually saw it originally in Russian with Portuguese subtitles, but I recalled every scene from the book. Good art excels at showing how similar all humans are regardless of origin. 10 stars. I think Mark Twain would have liked it.

it is a beautiful adaptation. because it has many of virtues who defines Soviet cinema but, in same measure, translate in image a classic book in a courageous-seductive- uncommon manner. Roman Madyanov is a different Huck. not very close by original but good choice for the childhood wisdom. it is a comedy and an adventure film. but it can not be reduced at this status for the science to explore the nuances of book in inspired style. for the images. maybe, for language. because, adaptation of an American novel, it is a pure Russian film. the melancholic slices, the dialogs, the landscapes, the final, all is demonstration of a great cinema who can give the best picture about the geography of feelings and emotions.

I was really surprised by this movie. I did not expect it to be so good. I will even be bold to say, that the way Georgy Daneliya directed this film makes it more interesting and much much deeper than the original Mark Twain's material! The cast is also outstanding - some of the best Soviet actors of that time (and all times). I'd say it deserves a place among the best movie classics. Too bad it's not known to the most of the world. In fact, even I never heard about it although I was born in Soviet Union. I guess it's because officials didn't let it go widely, because it has some graphic violence and other elements not excepted by the official Soviet morality. There was another movie well known in USSR on Twain's novel about Tom Soyer, but it was for children. it's not really bad but it's completely different level than Completely Lost.