The Communist (1958) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Gubanov serves Zagory through practical labor and resource gathering as shortages and civil war endanger the town and its people.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Bed Paid in Sugar

Gubanov arrives in Zagory to help build a power plant during a housing shortage. Fyodor and Anyuta accept sugar rather than rubles for his lodging.

Key Events

• Gubanov Arrives in Zagory — The demobilized Red Army soldier comes to help build a power plant. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Zagory
• A Town Short of Housing — Gubanov can find only a place on the household's dining room floor. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov, Anyuta Fokina, Fyodor Fokin Location: Fyodor and Anyuta's home, Zagory
• Sugar for Lodging — Fyodor refuses rubles but accepts sugar in exchange for lodging. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov, Fyodor Fokin, Anyuta Fokina Location: Fyodor and Anyuta's home, Zagory
• Gubanov Joins the Party Search — Local Bolsheviks canvass the town, and Gubanov says he belongs to the party. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Zagory

Supplies for the Power Plant

After joining the local party, Gubanov is placed in charge of a warehouse and expels a manager caught stealing supplies. A shortage of nails takes him to Moscow, where Lenin helps him obtain them.

Key Events

• Gubanov Joins the Party Search — Local Bolsheviks canvass the town, and Gubanov says he belongs to the party. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Zagory
• Warehouse Appointment — The Soviet puts Gubanov in charge of a warehouse. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Zagory
• Theft Discovered — Gubanov discovers the manager stealing supplies and selling them for personal profit. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Warehouse, Zagory
• Manager Expelled — Gubanov throws the manager out and orders him not to return. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Warehouse, Zagory
• Nail Shortage Blocks Work — A shortage of nails sends Gubanov to Moscow to seek supplies. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Zagory
• Appeal in Moscow — Gubanov interrupts a council meeting to plead for nails. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Moscow
• Lenin Makes Calls — Lenin makes calls on Gubanov's behalf after the request for nails. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov, Lenin Location: Moscow
• Nails Finally Found — After several failed attempts, the needed nails are located. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Moscow

Hunger and a Missing Train

A year later, the advancing White Army and widespread shortages leave Zagory hungry. The council sends Gubanov to find a flour train that has not reached town.

Key Events

• White Army Advances — A year later, Denikin's White Army advances toward Moscow amid shortages. Location: Toward Moscow
• Hungry Zagory Awaits Flour — The townspeople are hungry, and a relief train from Moscow has not arrived. Location: Zagory
• Council Assigns Relief Tasks — The council assigns Gubanov to find the train and bring its flour to town. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Zagory

Firewood on the Rails

Gubanov finds the train stalled for lack of fuel and cuts trees through the night. The crew joins him, and together they gather enough firewood to move the train toward Zagory.

Key Events

• Train Stalled Without Fuel — Gubanov finds the train stopped because it has no fuel. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Railway tracks
• Firewood Cut Through Night — Gubanov chops nearby trees through the night to fuel the train. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Beside the railway tracks
• Train Crew Joins the Work — In the morning, the train crew joins Gubanov and they gather enough firewood. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Beside the railway tracks
• Train Heads for Zagory — The fueled train approaches Zagory carrying flour for the town. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Railway toward Zagory

The Flour Train Attacked

Near Zagory, bandits set fire to the barracks and attack the train to steal its flour. Gubanov tries to stop them, is shot in the ensuing fight, and dies.

Key Events

• Bandits Attack the Train — Bandits set the barracks on fire and attack the train to steal its flour. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Near Zagory
• Gubanov Is Killed — Gubanov tries to stop the bandits, is shot during a fistfight, and dies. Characters: Vasiliy Gubanov Location: Near Zagory

Story Breakdown

• Arrival in Zagory — Gubanov comes to help build a power plant and confronts the town's housing shortage.
  • Power Plant Mission — The demobilized soldier arrives to assist with construction.
  • Sugar for Lodging — Fyodor and Anyuta provide a place to sleep in exchange for sugar rather than rubles.
• Warehouse Stewardship — The local party connection leads to responsibility for a warehouse and a confrontation over stolen supplies.
  • Party Membership — Gubanov says he belongs to the party during local canvassing.
  • Manager Expelled — He discovers the manager's theft and orders him out.
• The Search for Nails — A shortage threatens the power-plant work, prompting Gubanov to seek supplies in Moscow.
  • Moscow Appeal — Gubanov interrupts a council meeting to plead for nails.
  • Lenin's Assistance — Lenin makes calls on Gubanov's behalf, and the nails are eventually found.
• Civil War Shortages — A year later, military advance and scarcity deepen the crisis in Zagory.
  • White Army Advance — Denikin's forces advance toward Moscow.
  • Hungry Town — Zagory's residents face hunger while a flour train remains delayed.
• The Flour Mission — The council sends Gubanov to locate the delayed train and bring its flour to the town.
  • Council Assignment — Gubanov is assigned to find the train and deliver its flour.
  • Train Without Fuel — He finds that the train cannot move because it lacks fuel.
• Firewood and Arrival — Gubanov's effort and the train crew's help produce enough fuel to continue toward Zagory.
  • Nighttime Chopping — Gubanov cuts nearby trees for firewood through the night.
  • Crew Joins In — The crew helps gather enough firewood for the train to proceed.
• Attack and Death — The flour train is attacked near Zagory, and Gubanov dies trying to stop the bandits.
  • Barracks Set Ablaze — Bandits set fire to the town's barracks as they attack the train.
  • Fatal Fight — Gubanov fights the attackers, is shot, and dies.

Directed by

Yuli Raizman

Key Cast

• Evgeniy Urbanskiy — Vasiliy Gubanov
• Sofya Pavlova — Anyuta Fokina
• Boris Smirnov — Lenin
• Yevgeni Shutov — Fyodor Fokin
• Sergei Yakovlev — Denis Ivanovich