The Garnet Bracelet (film)

The Garnet Bracelet (Russian: Гранатовый браслет, Granatovyy braslet) is a 1965 Soviet romantic drama film directed by Abram Room, based on the 1910 novella of the same name by Aleksandr Kuprin.

The film tells the story of an unrequited love that unfolds in a provincial Russian town during the early 20th century. Princess Vera Sheina, a member of high society, receives an anonymous gift of a garnet bracelet from a humble admirer, a government official named Georgiy Zheltkov. Zheltkov's obsessive and idealized love for Vera has spanned many years, conducted entirely from afar.

While initially annoyed and disturbed by the persistent attention, Vera's husband, Prince Vasily Lvovich, and his friend, General Anosov, investigate the identity of the anonymous admirer. As they learn more about Zheltkov's character and the depth of his devotion, Vera begins to see the purity and sincerity in his love, even though it can never be reciprocated.

The situation escalates when Zheltkov's unrequited love becomes a source of scandal and embarrassment for Vera and her family. Under pressure from Prince Vasily, Zheltkov is asked to cease his correspondence. Overwhelmed by the impossibility of his situation, Zheltkov ultimately makes a profound and irreversible decision.

The film is noted for its portrayal of intense and tragic romantic passion, its sensitive exploration of social class differences, and its poignant depiction of a love that transcends societal boundaries. The adaptation remains faithful to the spirit and themes of Kuprin's original novella, capturing the melancholic beauty and heartbreaking consequences of unrequited affection. The film's soundtrack, particularly Beethoven's Sonata No. 2, "Appassionata," became closely associated with the story and its themes of sacrifice and enduring love.