Miles of Fire

Miles of Fire
Miles of Fire
Directed by	Samson Samsonov
Written by	Nikolai Figurovsky
Produced by	Semyon Maryakhin
Starring	Igor Savkin Margarita Volodina Vladimir Kenigson
Cinematography	Fyodor Dobronravov
Edited by	Zoya Veryovkina
Music by	Nikolai Kryukov
Distributed by	Mosfilm
Release date	November 1, 1957(1957-11-01)
Running time	85 mins
Country	Soviet Union
Language	Russian

Miles of Fire,The Burning Miles,orThe Fiery Miles(Russian:Огненные вёрсты,translit.Ognennye versty) is an earlyRed Westerndirected bySamson Samsonovin 1957. Often considered the earliest of the 'Red Westerns' (or 'Osterns'), it was made before the term was coined. The film is aRussian Civil Wardrama, focusing on the conflict between the Reds and the Whites.

One-timeMosfilmactor Samsonov had a versatile directorial career prior toThe Burning Miles,fresh from an adaptation ofChekhov'sThe Grasshopperthat won two prizes at theVenice Film Festival.He was later awarded the title of 'People's Artist of the USSR'.

Plot summary

TheWhiteGuard Army led by GeneralAnton Denikinare laying siege to a southern city in order to prevent a rebellion. They are also blocking the railway, butChekistZavragin is in a hurry to travel south. In a flash of inspiration, he decides to usetachankasormachine guncarts to reach his destination, and attracts an unusual group of equally desperate fellow travellers.

The Burning Milesis influenced by railroadWestern filmslikeJohn Ford's classicStagecoach,because of the diverse set of characters thrown together in desperate circumstances. Zavragin's companions on his journey include the doctor Shelako, the nurse Katya and a mysterious white guard officer Beklemishev, disguised as aveterinary surgeon.This formula gives the film an extra psychological dimension as the characters' progress towards their destination echoes the resolution of their problems and transitions in relationships.

Main cast

• Igor Savkin (Grigory Fyodorovich Zavragin)
• Margarita Volodina(Katerina Gavrilovna)
• Mikhail Troyanovsky (Dr. Shelako)
• Vladimir Kenigson(Sergei Beklemishev)

External links

• Miles of FireatIMDb
• The Fiery MilesonYouTube,the officialMosfilmchannel