Introduction

Liquidation (2007) (Russian: Ликвидация, Likvidatsiya, aka Decision: Liquidation) is a highly popular Russian television series, which parallels the famous The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed with a notable ethical shift. In the “Meeting Place”, chief of criminal investigations Gleb Zheglov (played by Vladimir Vysotskiy) had a modus operandi “Thief must go to prison, no matter how I put him there” (and uses planted evidence to do so).

In Liquidation, chief of criminal investigations David Gottsman’s (played by Vladimir Mashkov) motto has changed to “Thief must go to prison, but lawfully so”. The stars of the film include famous Russian actors such as Vladimir Mashkov and Konstantin Lavronenko (The Return, The Banishment). Sergei Makovetsky had to replace Andrey Krasko, who died of a heart attack during filming.

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Outline

When “Chekan” attempts to leave Odessa, his assistant, Tolya “Zhivchik”, informs seemingly leader “Shtekhel” of it and Ida is taken prisoner while “Chekan” is given a new task – selling criminals TT pistols. As a result of the new weapons, Odessa is once again drowned in a wave of murders and robberies. Within several days, Gottsman discovers through sharper Alex “Know nothing” that the weapons are passing through “Chekan”. He tells Gottsman the location and time of the next delivery of weapons. An ambush is planned, but “Chekan” does not come to the meeting. It becomes evident that an informant is working within the ranks of the Criminal Investigation Unit. Major Dovjik, of the CIU, finds a chance to place a rat in the gang – arrested bandit Sam “Goosey”. However, Gottsman himself is arrested by the MGB, after heated argument with Marshal Zhukov during a conference, and been sent out by the Marshal. Within an hour, a case of an anti-Soviet plot is fabricated against Gottsman.

Liquidation Series

You can find a full index of Liquidation here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 24 October 2007.
• Running Time: 45 minutes (per episode) and 644 minutes (total running time).
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: Russia.
• Language: Russian.

YouTube Link