Thirst (Zhazhda)

Thirst (Zhazhda) Original theatrical poster Country USSR Directed by Evgeniy Tashkov Release Date 1959 Language Russian German Studio Odessa Film Studios Main Cast Character Actor Oleg Bezborodko Vyacheslav Tikhonov Masha Valentina Khmara Vasya Rogozin Yuri Belov Nikita Nechipaylo Anton Dotsenko Tvyordokhlebov Vladimir Ivanov Col. Nikitin Nikolai Timofeyev Capt. Lt. Alekseyenko Boris Bityukov Mamed Mullayan Suyargulov

Thirst (Zhazhda) is a Soviet B&W 1959 war movie, directed by Evgeniy Tashkov. The story, based on real events, is set in Autumn 1941 in the town of Odessa on Black Sea coast. Advancing German troops capture a water pump station on the nearby river that provides Odessa with fresh water. The town, lacking water sources, is striken by thirst. A commando unit of Black Sea Fleet sailors get a mission to recapture the pump station. To ensure success, a sailor Oleg Bezborodko (Vyacheslav Tikhonov), who perfectly speaks German, impersonates a German officer and infiltrates the harrison, guarding the pump station. At last the sailors capture the pump station, switch on the water supply to Odessa and defend their positions until town reservoires are filled - in cost of their lifes.

In 2011 the movie was remade as mini series.

The following weapons were used in the film Thirst (Zhazhda):

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

A Nagant M1895 revolver is a personal sidearm of Capt. Lt. Alekseyenko (Boris Bityukov), the commander of the unit. Col. Nikitin (Nikolai Timofeyev), heading the operation, carries a Nagant in holster.

Nagant M1895 Revolver - 7.62x38R Nagant

A grip of Nagant is seen in Col. Nikitin's holster.

Alekseyenko cleans his Nagant.

Alekseyenko holds his revolver in the final scene.

Pistols

Luger P08

Oleg Bezborodko (Vyacheslav Tikhonov), impersonating Wehrmacht Hauptmann (Capt.) Wolfgang Rinck, carries a Luger P08.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

Tokarev TT-33

In the final scene Oleg Bezborodko's (Vyacheslav Tikhonov) Luger P08 switches to a TT-33.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Pre-1947 version.

Submachine Guns

PPSh-41

PPSh-41 SMGs are used by Soviet sailors, notably Capt. Lt. Alekseyenko (Boris Bityukov) and sailors Oleg Bezborodko (Vyacheslav Tikhonov), Vasya Rogozin (Yuri Belov), Nikita Nechipaylo (Anton Dotsenko) and Tvyordokhlebov (Vladimir Ivanov).

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Sailors with PPSh SMGs during the night attack.

Rogozin cleans his PPSh.

Alekseyenko with PPSh.

Rogozin fires his PPSh in the final scene.

A sailor with PPSh in the final scene.

Bezborodko fires a PPSh in the final scene.

Tvyordokhlebov fires a PPSh in the final scene.

MP40

MP40s are widely used by German troops.

MP40 - 9x19mm

A centry at German headquarters carries an MP40.

Soldiers with MP40s escort arrested Soviet agent.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891/30

Some Soviet soldiers, including Mamed (Mullayan Suyargulov), are armed with Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R

A barrel of M91/30 with bayonet, attached backwards, is seen at the left.

A soldier with M91/30 rifle send people to bomb shelter during the air bombardment.

Mamed carries M91/30 rifle with bayonet, attached backwards.

An M91/30 rifle is seen in hands of a German soldier in the final scene.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

Soviet sailors carry Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbines until they are rearmed with PPSh-41 SMGs.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R

Sailors carry M38 Carbines when marching on Odessa street (Oleg Bezborodko (Vyacheslav Tikhonov) at the foreground).

Another view of marching sailors with M38 Carbines.

A sailor at the left holds an M38 Carbine.

A sailor reloads M38 Carbine during the night attack.

An air defence spotter carries M38 Carbine.

Machine Guns

Degtyaryov DP-27

Soviet sailors use a Degtyaryov DP-27 machine gun during the unsuccessfull night attack.

Degtyaryov DP-27 - 7.62x54mm R

A sailor with DP-27.

Degtyaryov-Shpagin DShK

A DShK heavy machine gun is mounted on the rooftop of a building.

DShK on tripod - 12.7x108mm

A DShK on AA tripod is seen at the left.

Other Weapons

45mm 53-K AT Gun

45mm 53-K AT gun is seen.

M1937 (53-K) Soviet anti-tank gun - 45 mm (1.77 in)

A 45mm AT gun is transported on Odessa street.

Trivia

Holsters

Col. Nikitin's Nagant holster.

Bezborodko carries a Luger in holster when impersonating German officer.

A high rank German officer carries a holster for Makarov PM.

Artillery

A captured German field gun is transported on Odessa street.

A 76.2mm M1902/30 field gun is seen on the pier in Masha's flashback scene.