Passion Of Spies

Posted on: March 21, 2007 | Views: 62 | Comment

A clip from an elaborate Spy vs. Spy epic from 1967, with many amusing sight gags relating to surveillance and other spy-like activities.

This is the second feature directed by Yefim Gamburg, an artist who began working at Soyuzmultfilm in 1955 and animated many of the best children's poems, fairy tales and songs. He turned his attention to adults with "Passions of Spies," reviewing dozens of Soviet spy and detective films to make Soyuzmultfilm's first spoof. He selected the most stereotypical spy movie plots and characters, all well known to Soviet audiences. Soviet censors were so nervous about the film that they immediately sent it to the film club at Lubyanka (KGB Headquarters) to test the political waters. A high ranking general loved it and personally thanked Gamburg for "destroying the established stereotype of the 'wooden' Soviet intelligence." Made during a period of Soviet world power, the film was never officially shown abroad until after perestroika.

This 20 min. film is from the Masters Of Russian Animation DVD set - an extraordinary collection of Russia's most important animated short films by Russia's world renowned directors.