Watch The Seventh Companion

The Seventh Companion is a poignant Soviet drama film released in 1968, directed by Aleksei German and Grigori Aronov. It tells a story set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Civil War, exploring themes of change, loyalty, and the human condition amidst tumultuous social upheaval. The narrative follows the life of General Adamov, portrayed by Andrei Popov, a senior officer of the Tsarist army. The film begins with Adamov's capture by the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, a time when the old order is crumbling, and a new world is being forged from the ruins of the Russian Empire.

Although he is an enemy of the Bolsheviks, Adamov is not executed. Instead, through a series of events, he becomes the "seventh companion" in a small communal apartment shared by workers in the nascent Soviet state. The term "seventh companion" refers to the common post-revolutionary practice in urban Russia where large apartments were divided into communal living spaces shared by multiple families or individuals, often with widely varying backgrounds.

As the highest-ranking officer among the Tsarist prisoners, Adamov's journey of adaptation to the new social order is the central narrative arc of the movie. The film meticulously portrays his internal struggles as he grapples with a loss of status and identity, shifting from a position of power to one of a mere observer. He is forced to reassess his values and beliefs as he becomes intertwined with the lives of the apartment's other inhabitants.

Aleksandr Anisimov and Georgiy Shtil support the story with their portrayals of the people Adamov encounters, ranging from fervent rebels who have embraced the revolutionary changes to those who, like him, struggle to find their place in this radically transformed world. Through his interaction with these characters and the workers around him, Adamov evolves, his character development reflecting the larger narrative of Russian society's transformation.

The Seventh Companion is a study of contrasts. It juxtaposes the harsh realities of war with moments of striking humanism, highlighting the individual stories that unfold within the grander historical context. The film examines how ordinary people react to extraordinary circumstances, and how ideologies can be both unifying and dividing forces.

Notably, the cinematography captures the starkness of the period with muted colors and a visual style that evokes the era's sense of austerity and scarcity. The attention to historical detail is notable, with costume design, set pieces, and dialogue that anchor the film firmly in its early 20th-century setting.

The direction by German and Aronov shines through in the complex emotional narrative they weave, as well as in the skill with which they direct their cast. Elements of irony and satire are deftly infused within the somber plot, providing not just levity but also a deeper perspective on the narrative's social commentary.

The film's treatment of its characters stands out for its humanistic approach. No character is caricatured or reduced to a simple archetype, which allows the viewer to explore the psychological layers of individuals facing a world where the rules they lived by no longer apply. The directors also do not take an overtly political stance, rather they present the environment as it would be experienced by the characters, allowing the audience to form their own judgments.

An undercurrent of the film is the examination of the concept of loyalty. What does it mean to be loyal in a world where all allegiances have been upturned? How do former enemies live side by side? These are some of the questions that The Seventh Companion explores through its storyline.

Musically, the film makes use of a score that complements the atmosphere without overwhelming the narrative. The sound design, while subdued, plays a key role in creating the immersive sense of time and place that is so central to the audience's experience of the story.

While The Seventh Companion may not be as widely known internationally as other Soviet-era films, it remains a significant work within Russian cinema for its nuanced portrayal of a society in transition. It is a fine testament to the directors' craftsmanship and the cast's powerful performances. The movie is not merely a period piece, but also a human drama that studies the resilience and adaptability of people in the face of historical shifts. It is a thoughtful, compelling work that reflects on a pivotal moment in Russian history with empathy and insight, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of change and human nature.