During the Russian civil war, the Whites, that anti-Communist force that fought against the Bolsheviks during that period, capture a Jewish Ukranian village; the gang commander threatens a pogrom, and will kill everyone in the village unless the inhabitants agree to give to the White Officers five virgin girls in wedding dresses. Under such terrible pressure, the Jewish council of the town decides, full of sorrow and despair, to sacrifice their daughters to the drunken officers but fortunately and just in time, a detachment of partisans that belong to the Red Army, comes and frees the village.
"Pyat Nevest" ( Five Brides ) was directed by the Ukranian film director, Herr Aleksandr Solovyov in the silent year of 1930.
Although the film is incomplete, the film narrative loses none of its power and emotion as Herr Soloyov builds the pace to a crescendo. There is much tension in this drama wherein the helpless villagers are at the mercy of the unmerciful Whites.
The scenes showing the terrible proceedings of choosing the five victims captures a sense of isolation and despair and runs parallel to the partisans making their plans to free the village. Standing out, as always, is Herr Amvrosi Buchma, one of the best Ukranian silent actors. Of course the story ends happily thanks to the liberating Red Army (of which Herr Solovyov was once a member). The contrast between the different groups in this terrible time of civil war makes for an interesting cultural drama as well And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must get rid of five wedding proposals from some of his Teutonic heiresses.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com
