Storm Over Asia

Russia

Exceptional silent classic from 1928. Agitprop focused on the British invasion and occupation of Eastern Russia in 1919. The Brits were portrayed as heartless capitalist monsters (duh) who trampled on the rights of Mongols and stole their stuff.

Our protagonist is a Mongol victim who is robbed, flees into the mountains and joins the partisan revolt against the foreigners. He is taken as a direct descendent of Genghis Khan and in the end leads the revolt.

Superbly filmed and edited...the best technically of the Russian classics. Pudovkin created a new soundtrack consisting of indigenous music to accompany the action before his death in the 50's. It works splendidly.

A great work of world cinema which easily held my interest for two hours.

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