The Brothers Karamazov

(1958)Directed by Richard Brooks145 minDrama, History
The greatness and glory, the loves and sins of the famed novel.

Ryevsk, Russia, 1870. Tensions abound in the Karamazov family. Fyodor is a wealthy libertine who holds his purse strings tightly. His four grown sons include Dmitri, the eldest, an elegant officer, always broke and at odds with his father, betrothed to Katya, herself lovely and rich. The other brothers include a sterile aesthete, a factotum who is a bastard, and a monk. Family tensions erupt when Dmitri falls in love with one of his father's mistresses, the coquette Grushenka. Two brothers see Dmitri's jealousy of their father as an opportunity to inherit sooner. Acts of violence lead to the story's conclusion: trials of honor, conscience, forgiveness, and redemption.

Yul Brynneras Dmitri Karamazov
Maria Schellas Grushenka
Claire Bloomas Katya
Lee J. Cobbas Fyodor Karamazov
William Shatneras Alexi Karamazov
Richard Basehartas Ivan Karamazov
Albert Salmias Smerdjakov
Judith Evelynas Mme. Anna Hohlakov
Edgar Stehlias Grigory
Harry Townesas Ippoli Kirillov
Miko Oscardas Ilyusha Snegiryov
David Opatoshuas Capt. Snegiryov
Simon Oaklandas Mavrayek
Frank De Kovaas Capt. Vrublevski
Jay Adleras Pawnbroker
Gage Clarkeas Defense Counsel
Ann Morrisonas Marya
Mel Wellesas Trifon Borissovitch
Sam Buffingtonas Tipsy Merchant
Stafford Reppas Innkeeper
Ziva Rodannas Gypsy Singer
MGMolly Glessingas Mother (uncredited)