TV channel Mosfilm is planning a special film marathon in honor of Vyacheslav Tikhonov, marking the actor’s 95th birthday with the Golden Collection. The event brings together longtime fans and new viewers for a curated slate of Tikhonov’s standout performances, showcasing the breadth of his work on screen.
The countdown to the celebration begins on February 8, when Mosfilm will air a series of films featuring Tikhonov. The broadcast, titled Golden Collection, starts at 08:20 and continues on Wednesday, February 8, inviting audiences to revisit the actor’s most memorable roles and the moments that defined his career in Soviet and Russian cinema.
The marathon opens with Fight for the Fatherland, a landmark film directed by Sergei Bondarchuk created for the 30th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. To heighten realism, Bondarchuk instructed the tank unit to fire from blanks while Tikhonov portrayed the loyal and strategic Streltsov. The on-set approach aimed to capture a palpable sense of tension and immediacy, producing a close-to-life feeling and leaving an impression on the cast and crew about the intensity of frontline scenes. This production is notable for its ambitious approach and its enduring place in film history due to its technical and dramatic ambitions.
Following this, audiences will be treated to the critically acclaimed multi-part drama Seventeen Moments of Spring. Tikhonov’s portrayal of the cunning spy Stirlitz brought him immense recognition and widespread affection from viewers. He sought to infuse the character with humanity and warmth, balancing the espionage thriller’s austere mood with a sense of personal vulnerability. The series features a deeply moving moment, a quiet reunion scene with Stirlitz’s wife, which Tikhonov shaped from a story he had heard about a real scout and his own recollections, adding a personal layer to the character’s arc.
Another highlight on the schedule is the comedy-drama Kill the Dragon by Mark Zakharov. In this film, Tikhonov plays a wily archivist named Charlemagne, who interacts with the world through wit and shrewd insight. The role showcases his versatility and his ability to blend humor with sharp social observation, offering audiences a different facet of his on-screen persona within the same program block.
Over the years, Mosfilm TV has hosted various themed showcases, and the Golden Collection continues this tradition by presenting a thoughtful selection of Tikhonov’s work tied to important anniversaries in Russian film history. Notably, the program also aligns with a broader celebration of cinema milestones, including commemorations around the centennial birth of Leonid Gaidai, underscoring the channel’s commitment to preserving and highlighting the country’s cinematic heritage for viewers across generations.