Chapaev

Chapaev (Чапаев) is known as one of the finest cinematic works of the Socialist Realism movement. Based on a real life Red Army commander, Chapaev tells the story of this peasant-turned-soldier who leads a Red Army division during the Russian Civil War. Though he is illiterate, Chapaev is a brilliant military tactician and dies a hero’s death. the Commander of the 25th Division of the Red Army.

Chapaev was a household name through the Soviet Union. Today, most Russians are familiar with who he is, but may not have watched the film. Nevertheless, Chapaev-themed jokes are still popular.

• 1930s
• English subtitles
• Soviet Union