Les aventures extraordinaires de Mister West au pays des bolcheviks

In the aristocratic dictionary, the Teutonic word "stereotype" means a set of characteristics or a fixed idea considered to represent a particular kind of person and that is a good description of "Neobychainye Priklyucheniya Mistera Vesta V Strane Bolshevikov"( The Extraordinary Adventures Of Mr. West In The Land Of The Bolsheviks ), directed by Herr Lev Kuleshov in the silent year of 1924. At this point it is not necessary to declare that this German count has a special, uncontrollable fondness for stereotypes…

The film depicts the extraordinary adventures of Mr. West in Moscow. Mr. West is an American tourist with a stereotyped idea of Russians, due to the American press. His innocence and credulity will be taken advantage of by a gang who kidnaps him and then behaves just as he expects Russian barbarians to behave. But thanks to one of his fellow countrymen, Elly and his faithful escort, cowboy Jeddy, Mr West escapes their claws and the true Bolsheviks present a radiant face of the country to their guest.

Herr Lev Kuleshov was one of the most important Russian film directors, a fundamental pioneer who formed in 1920, the Kuleshov workshop, a kind of film experimental lab where he gave classes to directors and actors who would later be famous and indispensable in the soviet film industry. In fact, an important group of those directors participated in this film satire as actors: Herr Vsevolod Pudovkin, Herr Sergei Komarov and Herr Boris Barnet ( these last two directed later important silent comedies during their careers.

In "Neobychainye…" Herr Kuleshov merrily uses and abuses stereotypes on both sides of iron curtain; classic iconographies and stereotypes of American capitalists and Russian Bolsheviks. It is very healthy and easy laughing out loud at your capitalist neighbours but it is even better laughing at yourself, with the permission of the communist party, natürlich!!.

This early U.S.R.R. comedy was influenced by the pre-war comedies of Herr Max Linder and André Deed, very famous in Russia at those times, as well as American westerns and European serials, different film genres whose spirit is absorbed and satirized in this mad comedy that includes car chases, a confused but efficient cowboy loose in Moscow and a chaotic gang formed by diverse members.

The film has frantic and funny moments especially during the first half of the film when those stereotypes mentioned before create hilarity with crazy situations, and a display of a kind of harmless Russian sense of humour. The film slows down in pace in the second half when the unavoidable propaganda appears and finally Mr. West is seduced by the Bolsheviks and declares his passion for Lenin after attending a typical military parade at Moscow's Red Square (that was really funny for this stereotyped German count…)

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must resume his decadent and stereotyped Teutonic existence.

I think that some people have somewhat missed the point about the "stereotypes" portrayed in this film as it is clearly meant to be very tongue-in-cheek.

The social history on view here is wonderful and the humour and action a real eye-opener considering the bad press that Russia has tended to get over the past 100 years. The acting was a delight, especially by the lead "baddy" and the "countess" ... what teeth!

I would heartily recommend this film to everyone, especially when shown with a live accompaniment!

The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks will not ignite your passions, but it is sure to satisfy any humorous appetite as the naive Mr. West falls victim to deception after deception from a collection of crooks and rogues shortly after his arrival in Moscow. The film is a propaganda piece that aims for only two things: The glorification of the Bolshevik way of life, and an easily digestible story to ensure that this message is well received. It succeeds at both.

Mr. West, the symbol of the typical rich American (really, it's all in the name), knows little about the Bolsheviks. He can only rely on the unflattering depiction in the New York magazine: unkempt men adorned by large mustaches and wearing fur clothes suitable for a Neanderthal. It is no surprise that when Mr. West travels to Russia in accordance with his duties as President of the YMCA , he takes caution by bringing Jeddie, a loyal gun slinging 'cowboy' bodyguard, along for protection.

Throughout the film we see deliberate contrasts between the orderly soviet society of the Bolsheviks and the haphazard actions of the Americans that disrupt it. Jeddie lasso's the coachman of a horse and buggy and hijacks it causing a scene and an ensemble of police men to give chase. Mr. West's ignorance lands him into the clutches of thieves causing a stir at his workplace. The director is careful however, not to mock the Americans' other values, which include loyalty (Mr. West to his wife when tested by "the countess", and Jeddie to Mr. West), and a certain innocence. Without these, the film could never reach out to an American audience, and never win over their hearts and minds.

The Bolsheviks only truly shine when Mr. West is rescued from Zhban and his cohorts. He then is granted a tour of Moscow and views all the civic achievements of the new government, the processions, the radio tower, the workers attending to their duties in lockstep fashion.

When a pure and simple mind such as Mr. West's can marvel at the Bolshevik's good works, we too cannot help but agree that maybe the Bolshevik's weren't so bad after all.

American ignorance based on stereotypes was in 1924 as big as today. As well as Soviet propaganda. Only this is a very good film, in many respects. Lev Kuleshov at his best. Think at the famous Kuleshov Effect and all that staff, you'll find it in this movie. By the way, Kuleshov was known by his friends as openly pro-American and quietly anti-Soviet (not that it would matter; anyway he passed through the great purges of Stalin by keeping low-key). One of the roles (the chief of crocks) was played by Vsevolod Pudovkin (who also co-signed the scenario). A last hint: in the final scene of military parade, you will see for only one instant the figure of Trotsky (as the film was made in 1924, Stalin was not yet in full control).

This is truly an extraordinary film, even for the Golden age of the Soviet cinema. Documentary footage alone guarantees this film a niche in history (Church of Christ the Savior before its demolition, parade). Kuleshov's masterful montage should surprise no one, since the term "Kuleshov effect" wasn't coined out of thin air. Acting is superb, especially by Khokhlova and Vsevolod Pudovkin, himself at that time only a few years away from directorial fame and immortality. The flaws of the film are minor, and are a norm for the films of the time. The strengths are enormous, and make it a true masterpiece.