Black Rusks

The November Revolution of 1918 in Germany, famine and social upheaval evoke a response from the young Soviet government in Russia. To provide food assistance, trains with bread are being formed. One of them, on the personal instructions of V.I. Lenin is accompanied by the young revolutionary Tatyana . On the way, she meets a former German prisoner of war, Kurt . A romantic relationship arises between them. The train with bread, despite all the difficulties, was delivered. In a clash with a detachment of counter-revolutionary German troops, Tatyana was wounded. She returns to Moscow, and Kurt goes to Berlin to continue the revolutionary struggle.

Directed by Herbert Rappaport, Black Rusks leans on a strong ensemble — Natalya Varley, Rüdiger Joswig, Nikolai Merzlikin — 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 1972.