Arkadi Khintibidze

A Soviet drama about class differences in a rural farm town

Banned in the Soviet Union for its "negative" content and never released, Kalatozov was forced to retreat from filmmaking for seven years because of this film. The film sets out to illustrate the old adage, "For want of a nail, the battle was lost," showing how the inferior quality of something so trivial as a nail in a soldier's boot leads inexorably to the capture of an armored train. Kalatozov had intended to demonstrate the crucial and universal importance of efficiency in Soviet industry, but the government decided that his fable gave a negative impression of the Red Army's capabilities.

Varden, a poor peasant decides to find a rich fiancée but in vain. Following Galaktion, his rich neighbor’s advice, he attempts a horse theft but fails and nearly escapes death. Thanks to Jujuna, his other neighbor, he finds job at the village’s blacksmith.

Movie takes place in 1841 Georgia region of Guria, in where peasants are plotting the uprising against the Russian government.

Blinded by the desire of wealth, mother of Siko makes him leave behind his wife and child and go to America.

Dariko's family has been opressed by the wealthy farmer Droidze. He made the goverment send Dariko's husband, Simona to the gulag and after that took their land.For killing Droidze's son, who intended to insult a woman who was left alone, Dariko is also threatened with imprisonment, but she escapes imprisonment, runs away and becomes the leader of squad who defend the oppressed people.

A dead hen becomes a problem between two neighbor families in Ajara (west Georgia). That leads to drama; a young guy is killed in the next quarrel.

Gviristine is considered the best tea picker in Khidobni collective farm. Together with other harvesters, she is sent to Moscow to attend the Congress of farmer Musicians. Personal happiness is also attached to this success - a big wedding is held in the collective farm for Gviristine and Mirian.

The action of the film takes place in 1905-07. The main characters are a revolutionary who escaped from Metekhi prison and two brothers who hate each other.