The audience would love the character even more.
After the release of Menshov’s Oscar-winning film, actor Alexander Fatyushin, hockey players recognized him as their own, and people on the streets mistook Fetisov for him and asked for an autograph. It’s amazing how the weak character of Gurin, and even a drinker with less than 60 lines in the entire film, fell in love with the audience. Meanwhile, the appearances of the actor in the tape could be even more.
It is known for certain that at least two scenes with Fatyushin were cut from the final version of the picture. One is an ice match in Luzhniki with the Swedes, where Gurin was the main character. The second is a skirmish with ex-wife Lyudmila over money. The actor was especially sorry for this scene.
As Fatyushin himself said, in the missing episode, the action took place in the country. His character quit drinking and intended to become a coach. He showed up at the dacha disheveled and in the company of a drinking buddy. “I argued with Muravyova because of the triplet, and the hanyga shouted at her:“ How are you talking to him? This is Gurin, I grew up as a person at his matches, ”said the actor.
Menshov was offered to refuse this scene in Goskino. Officials decided that she cast a shadow on the Soviet athlete.
