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The Amazing Adventures of an Italian Treasure Hunter: How a Russian Gold Hunt Became a Comedy Classic?
In 1974, the Soviet-Italian comedy film "The Amazing Adventures of Italians in Treasure Hunt" (originally named "Невероятные приключения итальянцев в России") was co-produced by Elda Ryazonov and Francesco Prosperi. Co-directed, it became a classic of film cooperation between the two countries. The film tells the story of several Italian treasure hunters searching for a legendary treasure worth 9 billion Italian lire in Leningrad, delivering humor and excitement.
The story begins with a 92-year-old White Russian immigrant lying on his deathbed in Rome, revealing to his granddaughter Olga that there is a treasure buried "under the lion" in Leningrad. This news is overheard by the Doctor and two nurses, who then go on a treasure hunt along with several other characters. The film begins with this seemingly absurd plot and unfolds an adventure full of jokes.
During the exploration process, the characters constantly face unexpected challenges, from fighting the police to fighting wits with lions. The compact plot and humor are intertwined, causing uproar among the audience.
The film has distinct characters, including Andrei, a Soviet policeman disguised as a tour guide, who joins forces with Olga for different purposes. Their chemistry not only advances the plot but also brings laughter. . Additionally, the film’s mafia character Rosario becomes the antagonist, showcasing the greed and competition in human nature during the treasure hunt.
It is worth mentioning that the filming technique of the film is also one of the keys to its success. Director Riyazonov emphasized the use of live action and special effects rather than relying on compositing techniques. This makes the chase scenes and explosion scenes in the film appear particularly real, making the audience feel as if they are actually there.
Although there were many difficulties during the filming process, the vast majority of the scenes were performed by the actors themselves, which was undoubtedly a visual enjoyment for the audience.
The movie also involves a lion named "Golden Lion". Although this lion caused great trouble to the production team because of its disobedience, the predicament it brought also added a lot of laughs to the movie. These vivid plots make even the performance of the lions a highlight in the film.
At the end of the movie, although the treasure hunters did not bring back the treasure as they wished, they still received a considerable compensation through the government's reward, which also triggered the audience's thinking about law and morality.
At the end of the film, Olga decides to stay in Russia with Andrei. This choice makes the audience feel an importance beyond money and shows the emotional connection between people.
The Amazing Adventures of an Italian Treasure Hunter was warmly welcomed in the Soviet Union, with 72 million viewers making it one of the box office champions of the year. Beneath the seemingly funny surface, it hides a profound reflection on human nature, friendship and adventure, which is why this movie still resonates today.
This film is not only a product of the times, but also fully demonstrates the Soviet people's desire and understanding of Western culture at that time. Does this kind of cultural exchange really deepen the mutual knowledge and understanding between the two peoples?
