The Master and Margaret (1972 film)

The Master and Margarita (Russian: Мастер и Маргарита, romanized: Master i Margarita) is a 1972 Soviet two-part television film adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's novel of the same name. Directed by Yuri Kara, the film is a notable, though abridged, interpretation of the complex and multifaceted novel. While it retains many key elements of the story, including the appearances of Woland, Azazello, Koroviev, and Behemoth, as well as the central romance between the Master and Margarita, it necessarily condenses the extensive narrative and philosophical complexities of the source material. This condensation led to some significant changes in the plot and character development, with certain subplots and characters either omitted or significantly altered.

The film's production faced challenges due to the sensitive nature of the novel's themes, which touched upon Soviet censorship issues. Consequently, the adaptation made choices that would allow it to be broadcast, resulting in a version that differs considerably from the original book in its thematic emphasis and narrative structure. Despite these limitations, the 1972 adaptation remains a significant piece of Soviet cinema and a notable, albeit imperfect, attempt to bring Bulgakov's challenging masterpiece to the screen. Various other adaptations of the novel exist, each with its own unique interpretations and omissions. This particular version is often praised for its strong performances and visual style, despite the narrative compromises. The film’s impact on Soviet audiences and its subsequent legacy as one of the many cinematic interpretations of the novel are areas requiring further scholarly study.