Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev (Russian: Леони́д Ильи́ч Бре́жнев) was a Soviet politician, who led the Soviet Union from 1964 as the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). Based on the real-life politician, the character briefly appeared in the 1983 James Bond film, Octopussy, and was portrayed by British actor, Paul Hardwick.
Biography[]
Leonid Brezhnev oversees a meeting of the Red Army military commissariat. During the convocation, Soviet General Orlov tries to rattle other members for a more aggressive policy, claiming his troops in East Germany could invade Western Europe in five days. The moderate fraction under General Gogol opposes this plan due to their fear of nuclear retaliation. With tensions escalating, Brezhnev restores order by stating "World Socialism will be achieved peaceably. Our military role is strictly defensive." As a deflated Orlov reluctantly takes his seat, Brezhnev encourages Gogol to continue with his briefing. He is not seen again.
Behind the scenes[]
Despite being credited as "Soviet Chairman", director John Glen confirmed that the character was intended to represent Leonid Brezhnev[1], who had died on 10 November 1982, during the production of the film and seven months before its release.[2] Paul Hardwick was offered the role after appearing as Brezhnev on the 1980 British television documentary Invasion, which depicted the events surrounding the Soviet Union's invasion of fellow Communist nation Czechoslovakia.[3][1] Glen noted that the actor's close likeness gave the scene a "good feeling of authenticity".[1]
The Brezhnev of the early 1980s, was a sickly-looking figure and a lot fuller in the face. However, he did support some level of co-existence and détente. His reign lasted through most of the Connery and Moore tenures as Bond.
Brezhnev is also parodied in the non-Eon film Casino Royale by the Smernov character.
Gallery[]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Production Commentary. Octopussy: Blu-ray Edition: MGM Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 00:18:45.
- ↑ "1982: Brezhnev rumours sweep Moscow", BBC Online, 10 November 1982. Retrieved on 29 November 2018.
- ↑ Dave Rolinson. Invasion (1980). Screen Online. Retrieved on 29 November 2018.