Character Relationship Map: Men of the Sea

Characters

• Глафира (played by Galina Iniutina) — protagonist
• Commissar Vikhoriev (played by Boris Livanov) — supporting

  A Bolshevik returning from the front with a detachment of sailors, Vikhoriev is appointed commissar of a destroyer division. On the flagship Gavriil, he confronts disorder and imposes strict revolutio...

• Yuri Sergeevich Rostovtsev (played by Leonid Vivyen) — supporting
• Vasily Kuzmich Vavilov (played by Vasili Sofronov) — supporting

  A Central Committee member on the Kronstadt Revolutionary Military Council, Vavilov summons Vikhoriev and informs him that he has been appointed commissar of a destroyer division. His role in the acco...

• Alexey Petrovich Zhezlov (played by Vladimir Kryuger) — supporting
• Kharitonich (played by Vladimir Uralskiy) — supporting
• Fedor Sergeevich Kolesov (played by Leonid Kmit) — supporting

  A sailor aboard the Gavriil, Kolesov is initially removed from the ship for disorganization. After Vikhoriev imposes revolutionary discipline, he changes and ultimately gives his life for the revoluti...

• Sorokin (played by Konstantin Sorokin) — supporting
• Rostislav Genrikhovich Dietrich (played by Pyotr Kirillov) — supporting
• Bezenchuk (played by Pyotr Gofman) — supporting
• Lavretsky (played by Konstantin Matrosov) — minor

Story Analysis

A narrative of Bolshevik sailors restoring discipline, defending forts, and sacrificing themselves to repel foreign intervention.

Plot Progression

1. The Commissar's Arrival — Vikhoryev returns to Kronstadt and is appointed commissar by Vavilov. He boards the Gavriil to find severe disorganization and immediately imposes strict revolutionary discipline.
2. Fortress Uprisings — In 1919, anti-Bolshevik rebellions erupt in the Kronstadt forts. Vikhoryev leads a detachment to suppress them, forcing a surrender just as British torpedo boats appear on the horizon.
3. Sabotage and Sinking — A traitor infiltrates the Gavriil and steers it into a minefield. As the ship explodes and sinks, signalman Kolosov climbs the mast to send a critical warning with a flashlight.
4. Sacrifice and Victory — The Gavriil sinks with its crew singing The Internationale. Soviet forces launch a decisive counterattack, completely destroying the British landing force and avenging their fallen comrades.