Ivan Pavlov () is a 1949 Soviet biopic directed by Grigori Roshal and starring Aleksandr Borisov, Nina Alisova and Nikolai Plotnikov. The film portrays the life of the Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov (1849–1936), known for his Pavlov's dog experiments. The film was made during the Stalinist era, despite the fact that Pavlov had been a noted opponent of the Soviet regime.
Synopsis
The film begins in Ryazan in 1875, and tells about the work of Ivan Pavlov from his first steps in science to sensational discoveries which played a huge role in the development of medicine and psychology.
The young doctor Ivan Pavlov wants to live life "honorably and humanely." The path of the scientist is difficult and thorny. The treasury department does not release funds for research nor give access to animals for experimental use, and Pavlov has to buy them on his own savings. The experiments follow one another. Pavlov is pursuing his goal with passion and force. For his work on the physiology of digestion, he is awarded the Nobel Prize. Pavlov paves the way for objective studies of brain function in higher animals. Zvantsev, the assistant of Pavlov is an idealist who has become an ideological opponent of the scientist-materialist, implores him not to interfere with the "sanctuary of the spirit", but Pavlov boldly ignores his opponents-obscurantists. The revolutionary 1917 year comes. Pavlov angrily rejects the proposal of an American agent to go abroad; he decides to forever remain with his people in his homeland.
Cast
Aleksandr Borisov as Ivan Petrovich Pavlov
Nina Alisova as Varvara Antonovna Ivanova
Nikolai Plotnikov as Nikodin Vasilyevich
Maryana Safonova as Sarafina Pavlova
Fyodor Nikitin as Gleb Mikhailovich Zvantsev
Grigory Shpigel as Professor Petrushev
Vladimir Chestnokov as Lev Zakarich Zabelin
Vladimir Balashov as Semenov, student-disciple
Ivan Dmitriyev as Dmitri Pavlov
Nikolai Cherkasov as Maxim Gorky
G. Belnikevich as Sergei Mironovich Kirov
Vasili Sofronov as Arkip Semyonovich Telegin, dying old man
Vladimir Soshalsky as student
Pavel Pankov as student
References
Bibliography
Beumers, Birgit. Directory of World Cinema: Russia. Intellect Books, 2011.