Vladimir Konkin was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation. His works are familiar to several generations of viewers.
Here are some of them...
Pavel Korchagin, 'How the Steel Was Tempered'
The actor's debut and simultaneously fateful role was Pavel Korchagin in the 1973 film adaptation of Nikolai Ostrovsky's novel. This character made the twenty-three-year-old artist a star on screen. His Korchagin is not a poster hero of the Komsomol, but a living person capable of deep feelings and doubts. Konkin played the unyielding revolutionary unexpectedly lyrically and intelligently, for which he instantly received recognition from viewers and critics.
Senior Lieutenant Vladimir Sharapov, 'The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed'
However, the iconic role was undoubtedly that of Senior Lieutenant Vladimir Sharapov in the legendary 1979 film by Stanislav Govorukhin. Paired with the uncompromising Zheglov, played by Vladimir Vysotsky, his honest and principled operative investigates the cases of the 'Black Cat' gang. Interestingly, Konkin himself considered this work unsuccessful, believing that his character turned out to be too straightforward.
Junior Lieutenant Igor Suslin, 'Aty-baty, Soldiers Went...'
In 1976, director Leonid Bykov invited the actor to play Junior Lieutenant Igor Suslin in his last film 'Aty-baty, Soldiers Went...'.
Konkin portrayed a recent school graduate who transforms from a half-child into a platoon commander during the war. Together with eighteen young soldiers, his character stops German tanks at the cost of his own life. Notably, Bykov initially wanted to play this role himself but ultimately entrusted it to Konkin, and the actor excelled, showcasing the tragedy of youth burning in the fires of battle.
Younger Brother of Sergey, 'Romance of the Lovers'
A completely different role was revealed in the melodrama by Andrei Konchalovsky 'Romance of the Lovers' from 1974. Here, Konkin played the younger brother of the main character — a lyrical and intimate role, far from battle scenes. This work demonstrated his dramatic range and ability to be convincing in intimate human stories.
Doctor Robinson, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn'
A memorable, albeit episodic, role was that of Doctor Robinson in the musical adaptation 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn' from 1981, directed by Govorukhin. In this film, the actor appeared as a doctor who is killed by Injun Joe — a small but bright stroke in Konkin's creative palette.
... In addition to a rich filmography, which includes over 20 films and 7 series, Vladimir Konkin is also known as a talented voice actor. It is his voice that speaks for the Beast in the Soviet cartoon 'The Scarlet Flower' and Faramir in the Russian dubbed version of 'The Lord of the Rings'.
