The Elusive Avengers
Encyclopedia
The Elusive Avengers is a 1966 Soviet film directed by Edmond Keosayan
and made by Mosfilm
. It is based on the novel Red Little Devils by Pavel Blyakhin.
It has two sequels, The New Adventures of the Elusive Avengers
(1968) and The Crown of the Russian Empire, or Once Again the Elusive Avengers
(1971).
. Danka, orphaned son of a Red agent, whose father was tortured and executed by the warlord
Lyuty before his eyes, and his sister Ksanka join Valerka, a former schoolboy, and Yashka, a devil-may-care gypsy. They make a pledge of mutual assistance, determined to exact revenge on the bandits who are bringing so much suffering to peaceful villagers. The friends then embark on a series of daring adventures.
Meanwhile, strange things begin to happen to a band of outlaws led by the ruthless bandit Ataman Burnash
. All his schemes seem to go wrong, sabotaged by unseen and unidentified enemies. The mischievous culprits always leave a note signed '- the Elusive Avengers', and are of course the four friends, who succeed by never forgetting their pledge of mutual assistance. They are so effective, in fact, that reports of their deeds are reaching the local division of the Red Army.
In a plot twist familiar to many Westerns such as For a Few Dollars More
and the Japanese Yojimbo, Danka uses his anonymity to infiltrate the outlaws' gang and insinuate himself into Burnash's confidence, becoming his trusted right hand man. Unfortunately, Warlord Lyuty, whom Danka had thought he killed earlier, arrives at the Ataman's camp and accuses Danka; and when Lyuty's accusations are proven, it is up to the other three Avengers (well, mostly Yashka and Valerka) to get him out.
At the end of the movie, the Avengers are honored and acknowledged by the Red Army, which promptly appropriates the four of them as soldiers. The Elusive Avengers ride off into the rising sun, ready to answer their army's call.
Edmond Keosayan
Edmond Gareginovich Keosayan was an Armenian Soviet film director and musician.1952-54 - worked in Yerevan watch factory. 1954-56 - studied in Plekhanov Moscow Institute of Economy. 1956-58 - studied in Yerevan Fine Arts and Theatre Institute, worked as a compere. 1964 - graduated from the...
and made by Mosfilm
Mosfilm
Mosfilm is a film studio, which is often described as the largest and oldest in Russia and in Europe. Its output includes most of the more widely-acclaimed Soviet films, ranging from works by Tarkovsky and Eisenstein , to Red Westerns, to the Akira Kurosawa co-production and the epic Война и Мир...
. It is based on the novel Red Little Devils by Pavel Blyakhin.
It has two sequels, The New Adventures of the Elusive Avengers
The New Adventures of the Elusive Avengers
The New Adventures of the Elusive Avengers is a 1968 Soviet action movie, a sequel of The Elusive Avengers, directed by Edmond Keosayan and made on Mosfilm.-Plot:...
(1968) and The Crown of the Russian Empire, or Once Again the Elusive Avengers
The Crown of the Russian Empire, or Once again the Elusive Avengers
The Crown of the Russian Empire, or Once Again the Elusive Avengers is a 1971 Soviet action movie, a second sequel of The Elusive Avengers, directed by Edmond Keosayan and made on Mosfilm.-Synopsis:...
(1971).
Synopsis
The film' is a comedy version of a story about four youngsters who become heroes in the Russian Civil WarRussian Civil War
The Russian Civil War was a multi-party war that occurred within the former Russian Empire after the Russian provisional government collapsed to the Soviets, under the domination of the Bolshevik party. Soviet forces first assumed power in Petrograd The Russian Civil War (1917–1923) was a...
. Danka, orphaned son of a Red agent, whose father was tortured and executed by the warlord
Warlord
A warlord is a person with power who has both military and civil control over a subnational area due to armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority. The term can also mean one who espouses the ideal that war is necessary, and has the means and authority to engage in war...
Lyuty before his eyes, and his sister Ksanka join Valerka, a former schoolboy, and Yashka, a devil-may-care gypsy. They make a pledge of mutual assistance, determined to exact revenge on the bandits who are bringing so much suffering to peaceful villagers. The friends then embark on a series of daring adventures.
Meanwhile, strange things begin to happen to a band of outlaws led by the ruthless bandit Ataman Burnash
Yefim Kopelyan
Yefim Zakharovich Kopelyan was a Soviet actor of theater and cinema, one of the legendary masters of the Bolshoi Theatre of Drama . He performed the bright characteristic roles in the films The Elusive Avengers, Intervention, Eternal call, Straw cap, read author's text in the television series...
. All his schemes seem to go wrong, sabotaged by unseen and unidentified enemies. The mischievous culprits always leave a note signed '- the Elusive Avengers', and are of course the four friends, who succeed by never forgetting their pledge of mutual assistance. They are so effective, in fact, that reports of their deeds are reaching the local division of the Red Army.
In a plot twist familiar to many Westerns such as For a Few Dollars More
For a Few Dollars More
For a Few Dollars More is a 1965 Italian spaghetti western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Gian Maria Volonté. German actor Klaus Kinski also plays a supporting role as a secondary villain...
and the Japanese Yojimbo, Danka uses his anonymity to infiltrate the outlaws' gang and insinuate himself into Burnash's confidence, becoming his trusted right hand man. Unfortunately, Warlord Lyuty, whom Danka had thought he killed earlier, arrives at the Ataman's camp and accuses Danka; and when Lyuty's accusations are proven, it is up to the other three Avengers (well, mostly Yashka and Valerka) to get him out.
At the end of the movie, the Avengers are honored and acknowledged by the Red Army, which promptly appropriates the four of them as soldiers. The Elusive Avengers ride off into the rising sun, ready to answer their army's call.
Notable quotes
- And the Dead were standing along the road holding scythes, and no sound could be heard!
- It's a l-l-lie...
- It seems the Cossack kid's a spy.