The Bad Good Man (Russian: Плохой хороший человек, romanized: Plokhoy khoroshiy chelovek) is a 1973 Soviet historical drama film based on the novella The Duel by Anton Chekhov.

[1] The film’s plot centers on the intense ideological clash between two strong personalities, Laevsky (Oleg Dal) and von Koren (Vladimir Vysotsky), each holding distinct life philosophies.

For a while, von Koren’s ideas about punishing morally corrupt people remain theoretical, until he makes a disparaging remark about Laevsky’s “hopeless situation,” prompting an angry Laevsky to retort, which von Koren interprets as a “duel challenge” – a comment made half in jest.

This close brush with death deeply changes Laevsky, inspiring him to work hard to repay debts and improve his life, while his wife shifts her focus from social gatherings to managing their household.

He also begins to question his own purpose and the righteousness of his mission to “improve humanity” after his failed attempt in the duel.