Family drama of Vasily Lanovoy and Tatyana Samoilova in and behind the scenes

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Anna Karenina performed by Tatyana Samoilova is called one of the best incarnations of this literary image in world cinema. Together with Vasily Lanov, who played Vronsky, they looked like a perfect match on the screens. But the audience did not suspect that they were a couple in real life, but at the time of filming it was already in the past. And no less dramatic events led to their separation than those that they had to play.

Tatyana Samoilova met Vasily Lanov at the Shchukin Theater School - they were the same years and classmates. At that time, Lanovoy had already played the main role in the film "Certificate of Maturity", and many girls were seeking his attention. One day he approached Tatiana and asked who she was. The girl proudly replied: "" They sat together at the lectures, together preparing for the classes. Without waiting for graduation, in 1955 Lanovoy proposed to Samoilova.

Their relationship was very touching and romantic. Both spouses were celibate before marriage. Then they were not frightened either by the cramped material conditions, or by everyday difficulties. The wedding was very modest - they just went to the registry office and signed, after which the young settled in the apartment of Samoilova's parents. Later, the actress recalled: "".

While still a student, Tatyana began to receive offers from filmmakers. And the teachers of the school did not encourage students to shoot films. But the roles were such that it was impossible to refuse - "Mexican" and "The Cranes Are Flying" brought Samoilova not only all-Union, but also worldwide fame. Due to filming, she had to drop out. At the same time, Lanovoy played another star role - in the film "Pavel Korchagin". The couple hardly saw each other, constantly disappearing on the set.

Vasily Lanovoy grew up in a large family, and he himself dreamed of the same. Therefore, more than once he suggested that his wife leave her acting career, give birth to a child and devote herself to the family. But Samoilova then had great creative ambitions - she did not want to interrupt her film career after such a successful start. And when the actress found out about her pregnancy, she decided that she was not yet ready to become a mother. In addition, during the filming of the film "The Cranes Are Flying," she fell ill with tuberculosis, recovered for a long time after that, and the doctors doubted that she would be able to safely carry the child.

At that time, abortion was prohibited, and Samoilova decided to have a clandestine abortion, without anesthesia. It turned out that the couple could have twins. When Lanovoy found out about this, he was very worried, but did not reproach his wife for anything. But in their relationship after that there was a crisis. Tatyana still did not want to stay at home and do housework, and soon they left for different parts of the world - Samoilova was sent to the International Film Festival in Cannes, and Lanovoy left with Pavel Korchagin for China. After returning, the spouses could not recognize each other - they became strangers. The actor confessed to his wife that he was too tired from constant rehearsals and filming, and he no longer had any energy or time for a family. And so, after just a few years, their marriage broke up.

Later, the actress admitted that she was very sorry about the divorce from Lanov and the abandonment of children, but at that time the separation was not painful for her - there were many fans around her, the directors were bombarded with new proposals. And the first youthful love quickly passed, leaving behind only fond memories.

But this was not the end of their story. Almost 8 years later, Lanovoy and Samoilova met again - on the set of Anna Karenina, where they played the main roles. And although at that time both of them had already found their happiness with other people, they enjoyed filming together and played the couple in love very convincingly. "".

And Lanovoy added: "".

At first, they did not want to approve Tatyana Samoilova for the role of Anna Karenina - they say that the actress has a modern type, and she cannot play a classic heroine. In addition, then the 32-year-old actress weighed more than 70 kg, and she had to urgently lose weight. But I managed to lose 13 kg in 2 months, and on the screens it looked great! As a result, the role of Karenina became Tatyana Samoilova's calling card and one of the best works in her filmography.

Years later, the actress admitted: "".

Tatyana Samoilova was married 3 more times, but in her declining years she was left alone. Vasily Lanovoy found his happiness in marriage with actress Irina Kupchenko. In 2014, the day after her 80th birthday, Samoilova passed away. Upon learning of this, Lanovoy was hospitalized with a hypertensive crisis.

Another film that became a landmark in the creative biography of Tatiana Samoilova was "The Cranes Are Flying": Why the only Soviet triumphant at the Cannes Film Festival caused the wrath of Khrushchev.