The Rubicon

Bill Parker, a sailor in the English Merchant Navy faces rudeness from the ship captain and is kicked off. However, he finds solace in a Soviet logging truck, where he meets Sydney, a representative from a Western company buying timber from Soviet Russia. He supports a stokers' strike and is offered an assistant position at a woodworking plant. Russia surprises Bill with its unique aspects. The film is considered lost.

Directed by Vladimir Vaynshtok, The Rubicon leans on a strong ensemble — Boris Shlikhting, Georgiy Samoylov, Anna Obukhovich — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1931.