A scientist builds a time machine and accidentally sends his apartment complex manager and a petty burglar to 16th century Moscow, while Tsar Ivan the Terrible travels to 1973.
"Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession" is a hilarious Soviet sci-fi comedy directed by Leonid Gaidai, released in 1973. Adapted from Mikhail Bulgakov’s play "Ivan Vasilyevich," this time-travel farce—also known as "Ivan Vasilyevich: Back to the Future" in some translations—delivers a whirlwind of mistaken identities and historical hijinks. The story kicks off when Alexander "Shurik" Timofeev (Aleksandr Demyanenko), a quirky inventor, accidentally activates his homemade time machine. The device swaps his pompous apartment manager, Ivan Bunsha (Yuri Yakovlev), and a bumbling thief, George Miloslavsky (Leonid Kuravlyov), with Tsar Ivan the Terrible (also Yakovlev) from 16th-century Moscow. As Bunsha and Miloslavsky flounder in the royal court—dodging suspicious boyars and sparking chaos—Ivan the Terrible navigates 1970s Moscow, bewildering neighbors with his regal demands and archaic flair, all while Shurik scrambles to fix the mess. Famed for its razor-sharp wit, slapstick brilliance, and Yakovlev’s dual-role mastery, the film boasts Gaidai’s signature comedic timing and a catchy score by Aleksandr Zatsepin. Its playful jabs at Soviet bureaucracy and historical pomp, paired with absurd situations—like Ivan marveling at a tape recorder—made it an instant classic. Released in 1973, "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession" drew over 60 million viewers, becoming one of the Soviet Union’s most beloved comedies. A timeless gem, it’s cherished for its irreverent humor and the chaotic charm of its time-tossed trio.
Year1973
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GenresComedyScience Fiction
Production countriesSoviet Union
