THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV
US, 1958, 162 minutes, Colour.
Yul Brynner, Maria Schell, Claire Bloom, Richard Baseheart. Lee J. Cobb, William Shatner, Albert Salmi.
Directed by Richard Brooks.
The Brothers Karamazov seems an impossible work to transfer to the screen adequately. Doistoievski1s masterpiece has enormous scope and depth, a story of Russian faith and despair, of man in the face of the evil and good within himself. It would be too much to expect a masterpiece. Neither this version nor a later Russian version are masterpieces. However, once this is said, it can be added that this is an interesting and enjoyable film, with much action and the elements of the great conversations satisfactorily interpreted. (A device that Brooks used successfully in his screen version of Conrad's Lord Jim, 1965).
Yul Brynner is quite effective as Dmitri, the troubled and heroic Karamazov. Most of the other characters seem to overplay their roles but convey the spirit of the work, and certainly the major issues are raised for the audience.
Richard Brooks has adapted many novels and plays such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Sweet Bird of Youth, Lord Jim, In Cold Blood, as well as writing such effective entertainments as The Professionals, The Happy Ending, The Heist. Perhaps not for purists, but a good film for those who enjoy cinema.
1. The film is called after the brothers. What did each of them represent in terms of values of good and evil?
2. Dmitri said he had the Karamazov depravity in his heart; he gambled, was hot-tempered, lusted, yet Fr. Zosima prostrated himself before him. Why? What was evil in Dmitri? What were his good qualities?
3. Ivan was a journalist who theorised about his atheism and its consequences on morality. Were his theories the logical outcome of his beliefs? Was Alexei right in saying that Ivan wanted to believe?
4. Was Alexei meant to represent holiness? Was he a saint? Did his brothers like him?
5. What kind of man was Smerdyakov? Did his father taunt him too much? Why did he absorb Ivan's ideas? Why would he follow Ivan anywhere?
6. What was the attitude of each son to the father?
7. What kind of man was Fyador Karamazov? He said he believed only in what his senses showed him. Yet he was superstitious. His sons thought him a debauched fool. Did he have any redeeming qualities?
8. What kind of woman was Katya? Did she love Dmitri? Did she want to reform him? Possess him? Why did she never notice Ivan and his love? Why did she try to influence Grushenka? Why did she turn against Dmitri and give evidence against him? What was the significance of the Prosecutor's congratulating her after the trial?
9. What kind of woman was Grushenka? Was she right when she said she was dedicated to money? Was she depraved, wicked? What effect did Dmitri have on her? Why was she faithful in memory to the Polish officer? Why did she torment Dmitri? How did she emerge at the end of the film?
10. What was the significance of Dmitri's challenging the officer to a duel, humiliating him? Why did the son react against the Karamazovs and refuse Dmitri's money? What was the significance of Dmitri's final apology?
11. What was the role of money in the film? Discuss the implications of each character's reactions to money.
12. What role did God play in the film? Discuss each character's attitude towards God.
13. How did circumstances change and mature Dmitri's
attitudes? Why did he feel the need for punishment and for atoning for his sins? How 'religious' was his experience?
14. How guilty was Ivan of his father's death? Was he the 'will' who committed the murder? What judgment did the film make on Ivan's theories?
15. It was said that Dmitri was like Russia in temperament and he replied that he did not like himself. What insights into Russia did the film give?
16. The novel makes much of conversations, especially amongst the brothers. Did the film convey the essentials of the novel? Was the film melodramatic, sentimental, cheap or did it retain the dignity of the novel?
