The Red Bicycle (1980)

Overview

1918. Despite the conclusion of peace between Soviet Russia and Germany, provocations continue on the border. Soldier Yakub Kovalenok returns to his native village. At the fair, he tries to buy a horse; he’s ready to pay anything for it, even to sell a grenade. Some young nobleman snatches it away and, running off, leaves Yakub a red bicycle. In the village, Yakub finds out that he has the bicycle of Stas Dobuzhinsky, a courier for Kurnevich’s gang, which has long been being tracked down by a detachment of Red Army soldiers. The Bolshevik Alena recognizes the traitor’s bicycle and requisitions it, despite Yakub’s explanations. Outraged by such lawlessness, Yakub decides to seek justice and writes a letter of complaint to Lenin himself...