- The Diamond Arm (1969)
- The White Sun of the Desert (1970)
- The Dawns Here Are Quiet (1972)
- The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed (1979)
- The Return of the Musketeers (1989)
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1980)
- The Shield and the Sword (1968)
- The Red Tent (1969)
- The Irony of Fate (1976)
- The Twelve Chairs (1971)
Soviet cinema has often been associated with deep, philosophical narratives or stark realism, but it also boasts a rich tradition of action and fight films. This collection highlights ten Soviet movies where the thrill of combat, martial arts, and street brawls take center stage. These films not only showcase the physical prowess of their characters but also reflect the cultural and historical context of the Soviet era. Each film in this list has been dubbed or subtitled in British English, making these cinematic gems accessible to a broader audience interested in action cinema from a different era.
The Diamond Arm (1969)
Description: This comedy features a memorable fight scene on a ship where the protagonist, Semyon, inadvertently becomes involved in a smuggling operation and must fight off criminals.
Fact: The film is one of the highest-grossing Soviet films of all time and has become a cultural phenomenon in Russia.
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The White Sun of the Desert (1970)
Description: This adventure film set in Central Asia features numerous action sequences, including a notable fight scene in a desert fort.
Fact: The film's theme song became an anthem for Soviet cosmonauts, who traditionally listened to it before launch.
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The Dawns Here Are Quiet (1972)
Description: While focusing on the drama of WWII, the film includes several intense combat scenes where female soldiers engage in close-quarters fighting.
Fact: The film was remade in 2015, but the original remains a classic depiction of the Soviet war effort.
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The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed (1979)
Description: This iconic Soviet TV series features intense action sequences and memorable fight scenes, particularly in the character of Gleb Zheglov, a tough cop who fights crime in post-war Moscow.
Fact: The series was so popular that it led to a revival of interest in detective stories in the Soviet Union. The phrase "The meeting place cannot be changed" became a cultural catchphrase.
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The Return of the Musketeers (1989)
Description: This Soviet-French co-production includes numerous sword fights and action sequences, continuing the adventures of the famous musketeers.
Fact: It was the last film in the series of adaptations of Alexandre Dumas' works by director Georgi Yungvald-Khilkevich.
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1980)
Description: While primarily a detective series, it includes several well-choreographed fight scenes, especially in episodes like "The Hound of the Baskervilles," where Holmes engages in physical confrontations.
Fact: This adaptation is considered one of the most faithful to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories, with Vasily Livanov's portrayal of Holmes earning him an honorary MBE from Queen Elizabeth II.
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The Shield and the Sword (1968)
Description: A spy thriller with numerous action scenes, including hand-to-hand combat, as Soviet agents fight against Nazi spies during WWII.
Fact: The film was based on a novel by Vadim Kozhevnikov and was one of the first Soviet films to depict the work of Soviet intelligence in such detail.
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The Red Tent (1969)
Description: Although not primarily an action film, it includes a dramatic fight scene between the crew members of the airship Italia, showcasing the tension and survival instincts in extreme conditions.
Fact: The film was a Soviet-Italian co-production, featuring international stars like Sean Connery and Claudia Cardinale.
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The Irony of Fate (1976)
Description: Though primarily a romantic comedy, it includes a humorous fight scene in a bathhouse, showcasing the physical comedy of the era.
Fact: The film is traditionally watched on New Year's Eve in Russia, becoming a cultural tradition.
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The Twelve Chairs (1971)
Description: This comedy features several slapstick fight scenes as characters chase after hidden treasure, providing a light-hearted take on action.
Fact: The film is based on the satirical novel by Ilf and Petrov, which has been adapted multiple times in various countries.
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