IN THE MOSCOW SLUMS (2023)
Label: Deaf Crocodile
Region Code: A
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 129 Minutes
Audio: Russian DTS-HD MA 5.1 with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1)
Director: Karen Shakhnazarov
Cast: Anfisa Chernykh, Konstantin Kryukov, Mikhail Porechenkov
In the Moscow Slums (2023), directed by Karen Shakhnazarov (Zerograd) offers a handsomely mounted historical detective mystery set in 1902 Moscow, adapted from the works of Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Sign of Four" and the writings of famed Russian journalist Vladimir Gilyarovsky. In place of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson we have two real-life figures from Russian history; famous theater director/actor Konstantin Stanislavski (Konstantin Kryukov) and journalist Gilyarovsky (Mikhail Porechenkov).
While working on a production of Gorky's "The Lower Depths" Stanislavski struggles to capture the essence of his character who inhabits the slums, and he turns to journalist Gilyarovsky, a man of the people, who takes him on a guided tour of the Khitrovka district so he can soak up the local flavor and imbue his portrayal with a sense of realism.
In doing so the pair stumble across the urder of a Gilyarovsky's chess-pal "The Rajah" (Ayub Tsingiev), and the pair set about sleuthing who the culprit is, the death attributed to a poison blow-dart found at the crime scene. Their investigation, alongside Moscow Det. Rudnikov (Yevgeny Stychkin), finds them teaming-up with a beautiful former aristocrat turned pickpocketing chanteuse "The Countess" (Anfisa Chernykh), and encountering the brutal "The Englishman" (Alexey Vertkov) and his blow-dart shooting assassin, in an effort to get to the root of why Rajah was murdered. Other characters they cross paths with include the quirky and slightly macabre Professor Strassenmeier (Stanislav Eventov), antiquities dealer Testov (Boris Kamorzin), and other historical figures like Anton Chekhov (Ivan Kolesnikov). To be honest I would not consider myself any sort of expert on either the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes nor actual Russian history, and should you not be either, I say fear not, as you need not be to enjoy this lovely adaptation.
I think that if you're just a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot mysteries, this will prove to be quite a treat, the real-life Russian figures standing in for Holmes and Watson are an interesting and engaging lot, plus the story is quite humorous and spirited. The turn of the century period setting while not exactly looking lived-in authentic is quite handsome and well-staged, the costuming looks authentic to the period, and the intrigue and villains bring plenty of flavor to the mystery that is afoot. Let's not forget the considerable charms of The Countess, played by the easy-on-the-eyes Anfisa Chernykh who is both a beauty and a charmer, put herself in harm's way to assist our amateur sleuths.
Audio/Video: In the Moscow Slums (2023) arrives on NBlu-ray from Deaf Crocodile in 1080p HD framed in 1.78:1 widescreen. The image looks terrific, sharply detailed and textured, excellent color reproduction and solid black levels.
Audio comes by way of Russian DTS-HD MA 5,1 surround with optional English subtitles. The Russian dialogue sounds natural throughout, sound effects and score some through dynamically with plenty of use use of the surrounds, offering a subtle and enveloping sound design.
Extras include a new 18-min Visual Essay by film historian Evan Chester 'From Sherlock Holmes to Method Acting: Strolling Through Khitrovka' and the 23-min 'No Stranger Than Human Nature - Theatre, History, and Mystery' by journalist and physical media expert Ryan Verrill (The Disc Connected) and film professor Dr. Will Dodson. We also get a 45-min Interview with director Karen Shakhnazarov about the making of In the Moscow Slums, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile; and a new 67-min Video Interview about the history and legacy of Mosfilm studios with Mosfilm’s head of public relations Gayane Ambartsumian, moderated by Dennis Bartok. Disc extras are buttoned-up with three Trailers for the film.
The single-disc standard release version arrives in a clear full-height keepcase with a two-sided, non-reversible sleeve of artwork featuring new artwork by Beth Morris and the reverse side featuring an image from the film. Inside there is a scannable QR code that gives you access to transcribed bonus content.
Special Features:
- ”From Sherlock Holmes to Method Acting: Strolling Through Khitrovka' - new visual essay by film historian Evan Chester (18:03)
- 'No Stranger Than Human Nature - Theatre, History, and Mystery' -- new visual essay by journalist and physical media expert Ryan Verrill (The Disc Connected) and film professor Dr. Will Dodson (23:03)
- New video interview with director Karen Shakhnazarov about the making of In The Moscow SLums, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile (45:10)
- New video interview about the history and legacy of Mosfilm studios with Mosfilm’s head of public relations Gayane Ambartsumian, moderated by Dennis Bartok (67:27)
- Trailer #1 (2:04)
- Trailer #2 (2:18)
- Teaser Trailer (0:59)
- Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity In Motion
- New art by Beth Morris
Screenshots from Deaf Crocodile Blu-ray:
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