The Living Corpse (1952): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1952, The Living Corpse is a drama film directed by Vladimir Vengerov, running about 170 minutes.

What it’s about. Based on the play of the same name by Leo Tolstoy. The Russian nobleman Fyodor Vasilievich Protasov cannot put up with the hypocrisy of his environment, but is powerless to fight it. He begins to drink, leaves the house and gradually falls. The behavior of Protasov helps to bring his wife Liza closer to a longtime friend of the family, Viktor Karenin. Unable to endure the lies and humiliation associated with the upcoming divorce proceedings, Fedya pretends to commit suicide and seemed to forever leave his family. It is only due to the accident that it becomes known that Fedor Protasov is alive. Liza, reconciled with the death of her husband and became the wife of Karenin, is summoned to court on charges of duality. To stop the stupid and deceitful comedy of the court and rid the shame of innocent people, Protasov shoots himself.

Who’s in it. The Living Corpse stars Nikolai Simonov as Fyodor Vasilievich Protasov (Fedya), Galina Iniutina as Yelizaveta Andreyevna Protasova (Liza), Yelizaveta Time as Anna Pavlovna, Liza's mother and Klavdiya Trofimova as Sasha, Liza's sister, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Living Corpse page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Living Corpse tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.