The 2020 Russian drama mystery The Jar is based on the story of the same title by Ray Bradbury. The only copy I could find is unfortunately in Russian without subtitles. Much of the story is related in narration by “the author,” voiced by Evgenij Kuznetsov, which of course is no more comprehensible than the dialogue. It is faithful enough to Bradbury’s story that a reader familiar with it will be able to follow at least some of it. As most of the names are preserved, it may take place in rural America.

Charlie, played by Edward Kowzan, may be a farmer. In any case, he lives in a rural area and may not be able to afford a truck as he rides miles by bicycle. In the short story, Charlie buys a large glass jar with a glass lid at a carnival. Here the work “cirk” is used, so it can be inferred Charlie purchased the jar at a circus.

Charlie takes a long ride to show the jar to some acquaintances he clearly wants as friends. Their scorn for Charlie is evident in their expressions and the contemptuous way they pronounce his name. When Charlie reveals the jar their attitudes change.

Here the jar is very different than in the story. It is a small solid metal can which when the lid is removed emits a magical white light while ethereal mist rises out. Only about three people can look into it at once as opposed to a roomful of people as in the story. Upon looking into the jar, Charlie’s acquaintances change their attitude, clearly fascinated. Charlie tells them if they want to see more to come around to his place, and rides off.

Unlike in the story, Charlie is not a poor hick living in a shack, but has a very nicely furnished home. His newfound friends bring their friends to see the jar. Each person takes turns peering into its depths. They express seeing something profound, be it delightful, frightening, or sad. One character in the original story speaks of “Middibamboo Mama, from which we all come ten thousand year ago.” I definitely caught the word “Mama,” so it’s possible this character is portrayed.

After all these Russian adaptations of Bradbury’s work, I am really building my Russian vocabulary, which must be up to ten words by now.

In the story Charlie’s wife is named Thedy, which here is changed to Betty, played by Anna Boriskina. Perhaps Thedy did not translate to Russian. Over many years of extensive reading, this is the only Thedy I have ever encountered, though there was once a Theda. It is evident by a glance exchanged between Betty and Tom Carmody, played by Emin Mamedov, that they have a definite thing going.

Characters I conclusively recognized from the story were Charlie, Betty, Tom, and one other. Mrs. Tridden, played by Svetlana Popova, a young woman who lost a small boy when he wandered off and was never found, is instantly recognizable by her manner. She thinks she perceives her lost child in the depths of the jar. Her identity is confirmed when she calls her son’s name, Foley.

Because of the different construction of the jar, the ending of this movie can’t be the same as in the story. The narrator says something in verse which presumably reveals what happens when Betty tries to spoil things for Charlie, but the onscreen visuals don’t depict it. There is some onscreen domestic violence, about the only visible objectionable content.

Recommended for aficionados of Russian art films, people who understand Russian, or, like me, Ray Bradbury completists despite all obstacles.