The Diamond Arm
29.01.2016
Russian Gingerbread
01.02.2016

Ivan Vasilievich Changes Profession

Иван Васильевич меняет профессию (Ivan Vasilievich Changes Profession) is the last film of приключения Шурика (the adventures of Shurik). It was directed by Леонид Гайдай (Leonid Gaidai) in 1973.

The film is based on “Ivan Vasilievich”, a play written by Mikhail Bulgakov in 1935, but that wasn’t published until 1965.

The plot

Shurik, our hero has invented a time machine. While experimenting it in the presence of one of his neighbour Ivan Bunsha and Miloslavsky, a burglar who just robbed next door’s apartment, he accidentally sends them into the time of Ivan the Terrible. The Tsar himself becomes Shurik’s guest, discovering our way of living in our time, while Shurik tries to repair is broken time machine.

Interesting facts

Some of the scenes had to be rewrite after being through the censorship department. For example, during the banquet when the false Tsar asks his friend who will pay for it, the answer in the film is “Ну, во всяком случае, не мы” (Well, not us anyway), but the original answer thought by Leonid Gaidai was “Народ, народ, батюшка” (the people, the people Sir).

Another scene, when the real Tsar is being asked by the police where does he live, his answer is “В палатах“ (in my chambers) while it should have been “Москва, Кремль” (Moscow, Kremlin).

Another interesting fact: Ivan Bunsha, dressed as the Tsar says, referring to the Swedish Ambassador “Гитлер капут” (Hitler kaput) but if you watch carefully you can read on his lips “Мир, Труд, Май” (Peace, labour, May).