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

Military doctor Arsenin discovers that Major Krechetov did not serve at the Second Belorussian Front. This is confirmed by Gottsman’s new driver, and appears as a serious argument against Krechetov. Along with other facts, this points to one conclusion – that Krechetov is the “Academic”, and Gottsman receives a warrant for his arrest, but Gottsman’s conclusion turns out to be hasty. Krechetov reveals that he served as part of a group of commanding subfield personnel, together with the Secretary of the UWB and other equally important people. Colonel Chusov, head of the Counterintelligence Unit, confirms Krechetov’s story. Krechetov remembers the knot that was used to strangle Rodya – a Samurai’s knot, which points to doctor Arsenin, who served in the Far East. Arsenin seemingly disappears. “Chekan”’s girlfriend Ida brings detectives to the place where “Chekan”’s stolen weapons are hidden, but “Chekan” organises an ambush and recaptures Ida. Meanwhile, the nightly shootings continue. As a result of Operation “Masquerade”, hundreds of thieves and gangsters are killed. Each day, Odessa buries more and more people.

Liquidation Series

You can find a full index of Liquidation here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 05 November 2007.
• Running Time: 45 minutes (per episode) and 644 minutes (total running time).
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: Russia.
• Language: Russian.

YouTube Link