Una matta, matta, matta corsa in Russia

The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia blends slapstick, satire, and a wild treasure hunt into a unique cinematic experience. Fans of madcap comedies like Airplane! Or Hot Shots! Will appreciate its chaotic energy, over-the-top stunts, and colourful characters.

The plot kicks off with the death of an elderly Russian aristocrat in an overcrowded Italian hospital, revealing a hidden treasure left behind after the 1917 Revolution. A diverse mix of characters-including a gangster, doctor, paramedics, and the aristocrat's granddaughter-set off on a frantic chase through the Soviet Union in search of the loot.

The film plays more like a lighthearted romp. While subtle ideological jabs do appear-Italy is depicted as disorganised and materialistic-the tone remains comedic and accessible to all audiences, not just Russian speakers. Particularly enjoyable are the creative action scenes, damage to historical landmarks, and the charismatic female lead who visibly enjoys every minute.

Though not director Ryazanov's finest work, it's a fun, well-paced comedy with cross-cultural charm and surprisingly broad appeal. With its eccentric characters, high-energy pacing, and Cold War-era curiosity factor, The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia is an entertaining gem for both comedy lovers and film history enthusiasts.

It is not my favorite Ryasanov's movie, but nevertheless I recommend it for everybody who like comedies about treasure hunting. The plot is quite usual. Somewhere in very poor Italian hospital dies old Russian lady, who appears to be one of noble Russian aristocrats. She left Russia after revolution 1917, but she was not able to take with her all her treasures. So in the hospital, before she dies, she reveals to everybody, who is near her (her granddaughter, gangster, doctor, paramedics, patients) her secret. And treasure hunt begins! The movie is quite funny, but not the best example of Russian comedies. The good news is that unlike many Russian comedies which are fun only for native speakers, this one can be comprehended by any audience.

December 2021

So here we have the Incredible adventures of Italians in Russia, which is a Russian/Italian co production.

Its one of those fun madcap treasure hunt films similar to Its a mad mad mad world, midnight madness, 12 chairs and you must be joking, amongst others.

I am a real fan of this typle of film so its a real winner for me.

8.5 out of 10.

This is a pretty good Soviet comedy co-produced by Soviets and some Italians (I don't remember exactly the name of the studio). Italians are portrayed as very active and jolly people, although more interested in pursuing material goals such as finding a hidden treasure in the advent of the Russian Revolution. They don't care about Communist ideals. The Russian character is the only positive character in the movie, a kind of Soviet James Bond. He finally conquers the main female character. Otherwise Soviet women are mostly absent from the movie. Clear signs of propaganda are two: 1) Italian hospitals are presented as being overcrowded so that at some point two patients (a man and a woman) have to share the same bed, 2) there is a lot of chaos in Italy and the Mafia stereotype is reinforced by a short Mafiosi.

Otherwise there aren't any references to the Soviet Communist party as far as I recall. Lots of special effects and stunts, so I suppose the Soviets spent a lot of money on the movie.

I have to admit I have a soft spot for spoofs, slapstick comedies like Airplane or Hot shots. I never knew any non-American movie like these existed and the Soviet Union would be on the bottom of my list of countries that would produce one.

And here we are. My expectations of propaganda, political message and social morals were unfounded: it's a light Russian-speaking comedy (the Italians in the movie speak Russian) with Italian and Soviet stereotypes from mafioso to secret police officer with a lot of explosions, car chases, damage to historical sites, nice shots of iconic sites in Russia, a lot of laugh while the highlight being the female protagonist visibly enjoying the movie at least as much as the viewers...

Good fun for the whole family and nostalgic to those who grew up in Eastern bloc countries.