Road to Life (Putyovka v zhizn)

Road to Life (Putyovka v zhizn) Original Theatrical Poster Country USSR Directed by Nikolai Ekk Release Date 1931 Language Russian Studio Mezhrabpomfilm Main Cast Character Actor Mustapha "Fert" ("Dandy") Yvan Kyrlya Nikolay Rebrov "Svist" ("Wistle") Mikhail Dzhagofarov Vas'ka "Buza" ("Trouble") Aleksandr Novikov Nikolay Ivanovich Sergeev Nikolay Batalov Mariya Skryabina Mariya Andropova Fomka "Zhigan" Mikhail Zharov

Road to Life (Putyovka v zhizn, literally "Pass to life") is a Soviet B&W 1931 drama directed by Nikolai Ekk. In 1920s, after the Russian Civil war, gangs of street urchins plagued Moscow. Many of them at last found new life in orphanages, but some of these kids preferred the life on streets. Chekist Nikolay Sergeev suggests to create a labor commune without any guards where the former troublemakers will live and work as free citisens.

This movie is the first sound film in USSR. It won an award for Most Convincing Director at the 1932 Venice International Film Festival.

The following weapons were used in the film Road to Life (Putyovka v zhizn):

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

During the confrontation of the kommunars (labor commune members) with criminal Fomka "Zhigan" (Mikhail Zharov) Nikolay Ivanovich Sergeev (Nikolay Batalov) and several kommunars carry Nagant M1895 revolvers.

Nagant 1895 - 7.62x38R Nagant. The rounded front sight is a sign of revolvers produced from 1890s until 1930.

A close view of a Nagant in hand of a kommunar.

A kommunar holds a Nagant.

Nikolay Rebrov (Mikhail Dzhagofarov) with a Nagant.

Mustapha (Yvan Kyrlya) with a Nagant.

A kommunar with Nagant.

A kommunar fires in air.

A kommunar holds a Nagant.

Sergeev confronts Fomka "Zhigan".

Sergeev holds a Nagant.

Pistols

Ruby

During the said confrontation one of the kommunars is armed with pistol that seems to be some Ruby model.

Gabilondo Ruby - .32 ACP

A Ruby style pistol is seen at the right.

Unidentified pistol

Another kommunar is armed with a larger pistol, possibly an FN Model 1903 or a Steyr M1912.

For comparison: FN Model 1903 - 9x20mm Browning Long

A pistol is seen at the right. Note the longer shape of this gun in comparison with the abovementioned pistol.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891

When the kommunars construct a railroad, Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles are used by sentries.

Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Infantry Rifle - 7.62x54mm R

Mustapha (Yvan Kyrlya) with rifle.

Mustapha's rifle is seen at the right. It seems to be an Infantry model.

Nikolay Rebrov (Mikhail Dzhagofarov) writes a letter, putting the buttstock of his rifle under the paper.

Trivia

Holsters

A Militsioneer (policeman) carries a pistol holster (it appears to be empty).