During the Russian Revolution, a mentally challenged peasant saves then obsesses over a beautiful countess.During the Russian Revolution, a mentally challenged peasant saves then obsesses over a beautiful countess.During the Russian Revolution, a mentally challenged peasant saves then obsesses over a beautiful countess.
Károly Huszár
- Ivan - the Gatekeeper
- (as Charles Puffy)
Johnny Mack Brown
- Russian Officer
- (uncredited)
Albert Conti
- Military Commandant at Novokursk
- (uncredited)
Jules Cowles
- Peasant Who Robs Tatiana
- (uncredited)
Tiny Jones
- Revolutionist at Protest
- (uncredited)
Frank Leigh
- Outlaw Peasant in Cabin
- (uncredited)
Russ Powell
- Man Taking Sergei to Ivan
- (uncredited)
Bud Rae
- Russian Soldier
- (uncredited)
Sam Savitsky
- Military Guard
- (uncredited)
Michael Visaroff
- Cossack Whipping Sergei
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- Quotes
Capt. Dimitri: [to the Countess] Can't we be lonesome together, little peasant maid?
- ConnectionsReferenced in Man of a Thousand Faces (1957)
Featured review
"Novokursk After Midnight" this ain't!
As a lifelong fan of Chaney Sr., this film was on a very short list of existing Chaney films I had yet to see. I watched it last night for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. Although I admit this is far from Chaney's best work, I suspect many of the negative reviews, both then and now, come from unmet expectations. "Mockery" does not have grotesque make-up like "Hunchback of Notre Dame". It lacks bizarre story elements like "The Unknown". Chaney only plays one character instead of two, as he did in "A Blind Bargain". And if you wanted to see sets and scenery on a grand scale, as in "Phantom of the Opera", forget about it.
So what does this film have? Well, this melodrama, set in Russia around the time of the revolution, revolves around the theme you see in most of Chaney's films: unrequited love. Chaney's character is a peasant named Sergei, who reminded me of "Lenny", the character portrayed by Lon Chaney Jr. in "Of Mice and Men". Sergei is a good hearted simpleton, unable to understand matters of love. Sergei's love for the Countess, like Quasimodo's longing for Esmarelda, is destined for failure, but he's the only one who cannot see this.
As the story unfolds, we get glimpses into the good and bad (or Jekyll and Hyde, if you will) found in all of us. Sergei's pure love turns to lust. Tatiana's indifference evolves into compassion.
If you're expecting a 1927 era melodrama, you'll get a good one. If you're expecting something bizarre, like "Novokursk After Midnight", you'll have trouble keeping awake.
So what does this film have? Well, this melodrama, set in Russia around the time of the revolution, revolves around the theme you see in most of Chaney's films: unrequited love. Chaney's character is a peasant named Sergei, who reminded me of "Lenny", the character portrayed by Lon Chaney Jr. in "Of Mice and Men". Sergei is a good hearted simpleton, unable to understand matters of love. Sergei's love for the Countess, like Quasimodo's longing for Esmarelda, is destined for failure, but he's the only one who cannot see this.
As the story unfolds, we get glimpses into the good and bad (or Jekyll and Hyde, if you will) found in all of us. Sergei's pure love turns to lust. Tatiana's indifference evolves into compassion.
If you're expecting a 1927 era melodrama, you'll get a good one. If you're expecting something bizarre, like "Novokursk After Midnight", you'll have trouble keeping awake.
helpful•101
- fibbermac
- Mar 27, 2007
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Terror
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $187,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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