Watch Bootleggers

Bootleggers is a 1962 Soviet comedy film directed by Leonid Gaidai and starring Evgeniy Morgunov, Georgiy Vitsin, and Yuriy Nikulin. The film is set in the 1920s during prohibition in the United States. Three Soviet bootleggers who have been making and selling counterfeit alcohol in Moscow, Kisa Vorobyaninov (played by Morgunov), Kolya Ivanov (played by Vitsin), and Ostap Bender (played by Nikulin), decide to capitalize on the high demand for alcohol in America.

With some difficulty, the three manage to secure passage aboard a cargo ship to America. Once there, they hatch a plan to sell their counterfeit alcohol to the highest bidder. They soon find themselves caught up in a web of dangerous gangsters and corrupt officials as they navigate the criminal underworld of prohibition-era America.

Despite the film's comedic nature, Bootleggers touches on some serious themes such as corruption, greed, and the destructive nature of the criminal underworld. The film also showcases the actors' abilities to perform slapstick comedy in their roles as hapless bootleggers.

The character of Ostap Bender, played by Nikulin, is particularly memorable. Bender is a charismatic and cunning con artist who is always able to come up with a plan when things go wrong. His quick wit and charm allow him to make friends with both the criminals he is trying to sell to and the law enforcement officials who are trying to catch him.

Morgunov's character of Kisa Vorobyaninov provides a foil to Bender's charming rogue. Vorobyaninov is a more nervous and cautious character who is constantly worrying about getting caught. Vitsin's character of Kolya Ivanov is more of a bumbling simpleton who provides comedic relief throughout the movie.

The film features several memorable scenes, including a hilarious sequence in which the bootleggers attempt to sell their counterfeit alcohol to a group of gangsters who are more interested in playing cards than doing business.

Another standout scene is a car chase in which the bootleggers are pursued by the police through the streets of New York City. The chase features some impressive stunt work and physical comedy from the actors.

Overall, Bootleggers is a hilarious and engaging comedy that showcases the talents of its three lead actors. The film provides a unique perspective on the prohibition era in the United States and will leave audiences laughing from start to finish.