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Gorky 1: The Childhood of Maxim Gorky

Original title: Detstvo Gorkogo
  • 1938
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
736
YOUR RATING
Mark Donskoy, Maxim Gorky, Ilya Gruzdev, Aleksei Lyarsky, Varvara Massalitinova, Daniil Sagal, Lev Shvarts, Mikhail Troyanovskiy, Pyotr Yermolov, Aleksandr Zhukov, and Vyacheslav Novikov in Gorky 1: The Childhood of Maxim Gorky (1938)
BiographyDrama

A drama reveals the great writer's inauspicious early years as an orphan raised by conniving relatives.A drama reveals the great writer's inauspicious early years as an orphan raised by conniving relatives.A drama reveals the great writer's inauspicious early years as an orphan raised by conniving relatives.

  • Director
    • Mark Donskoy
  • Writers
    • Mark Donskoy
    • Maxim Gorky
    • Ilya Gruzdev
  • Stars
    • Aleksei Lyarsky
    • Varvara Massalitinova
    • Mikhail Troyanovskiy
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    736
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mark Donskoy
    • Writers
      • Mark Donskoy
      • Maxim Gorky
      • Ilya Gruzdev
    • Stars
      • Aleksei Lyarsky
      • Varvara Massalitinova
      • Mikhail Troyanovskiy
    • 8User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Photos

    Gorky 1: The Childhood of Maxim Gorky (1938)
    Gorky 1: The Childhood of Maxim Gorky (1938)
    Aleksei Lyarsky in Gorky 1: The Childhood of Maxim Gorky (1938)
    Maxim Gorky in Gorky 1: The Childhood of Maxim Gorky (1938)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Aleksei Lyarsky
    • Aleksei Peshkov (later, Maxim Gorky)
    • (as Alyosha Lyarsky)
    Varvara Massalitinova
    Varvara Massalitinova
    • Akulina Ivanva Kashirin, grandmother
    Mikhail Troyanovskiy
    Mikhail Troyanovskiy
    • Vasili Vasilyevich Kashirin, grandfather
    Elizaveta Alekseeva
    • Varvara Kashirina Peshkova, mother
    • (as E. Alekseeva)
    Vyacheslav Novikov
    • Uncle Yakov Kashirin
    • (as V. Novikov)
    Aleksandr Zhukov
    Aleksandr Zhukov
    • Mikhail Kashirin, an uncle
    K. Zubkov
    • Old Grigori
    Daniil Sagal
    Daniil Sagal
    • Ivan, aka 'Gypsy'
    Sergey Tikhonravov
    Sergey Tikhonravov
    • The Lodger
    • (as S. Tikhonravov)
    Igor Smirnov
    • Alexei, aka 'Lenka' or 'Lex', a crippled boy
    E. Mamaev
    • Sacha Kashirin, nephew
    V. Korochentchikov
    • Mikhail's son, also named Sacha
    Valentin Korneyev
    • Member of 'The Gang'
    • (uncredited)
    A. Lebedev
    • Member of 'The Gang'
    • (uncredited)
    Vladimir Maslatsov
    Vladimir Maslatsov
    • Member of 'The Gang'
    • (uncredited)
    Nikolay Pogodin
    Nikolay Pogodin
    • Member of 'The Gang'
    • (uncredited)
    B. Radkevich
    • Member of 'The Gang'
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Mark Donskoy
    • Writers
      • Mark Donskoy
      • Maxim Gorky(books)
      • Ilya Gruzdev
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Connections
      Followed by Gorky 2: My Apprenticeship (1939)

    User reviews8

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Pure cinema poetry
    Detstvo Gorkogo (The Childhood of Maxim Gorky) - 1938 Directed by Mark Donskoy G. Shenotinnik

    A Review By Ollie

    The Childhood of Maxim Gorky, tells the story of Aleksei Peshkov a 12 year old boy, living in 19th Century Russia, who would later be known as Maxim Gorky, possibly Russia's most famous and celebrated novelist and dramatist. Made in 1938, the film is based on Gorky's autobiography `My Childhood', and is rich and powerful film which will capture your attention from the beginning.

    Naturally, being made in 1938, the film is in black and white, although the story is so colourful and vibrant, with characters so alive, you would be forgiven for thinking the film was made much later. It definitely does not feel almost 65 years old.

    Aleksei Lyarsky, who plays Gorky, is instantly likeable as the young protagonist. Capable of portraying emotions far beyond his years, he works superbly alongside a cast of commanding and believable proportion. There is an almost Dickensian feel to some of the characters. While desperately sad, and easy to sympathise with, the Grandfather has an ineffable quality, both humorous and self pitying. In stark contrast, Maxim's Grandmother is a simple woman, one of goodness and truth, representing all that is beautiful in the optimism of the poverty in which they live.

    This film is more than an autobiographical look at one person's life. It is a peek through the windows of a time long since passed, a history lesson and above all a lesson in life, love and friendship. This is probably the most definitive coming of age drama I have seen, with more authority and gravitas than Truffaut managed in the much acclaimed `400 Blows'.

    There are several scenes which stand out. From a simple act of kindness from Maxim, when he gives a crippled boy his pet mouse, to Gorky and his friends sitting around a fire dreaming of a Utopian Neverland; from his Grandfathers almost comedic reactions to their ever increasing poverty, to the tears of his Grandmother as he hands her a coin.

    This is a rich and immensely strong film, advanced well beyond it's years, which holds it's own exceptionally well nearly 65 years later. This film will leave an indelible mark on your memory, if only from the simplicity of the tale it tells. It is, without doubt, pure cinematic poetry. A piece of film history which everyone would do well to try and see –it will not disappoint. An extremely well earned 10/10!

    Ollie
    helpful•14
    4
    • ollie501
    • Jan 16, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 27, 1938 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Soviet Union
    • Language
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • My Childhood
    • Production company
      • Soyuzdetfilm
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Mark Donskoy, Maxim Gorky, Ilya Gruzdev, Aleksei Lyarsky, Varvara Massalitinova, Daniil Sagal, Lev Shvarts, Mikhail Troyanovskiy, Pyotr Yermolov, Aleksandr Zhukov, and Vyacheslav Novikov in Gorky 1: The Childhood of Maxim Gorky (1938)
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