31st Dept. (1972)
A Soviet television crime mystery in which a police commissioner's investigation into a terrorist threat exposes a shadowy department built to silence the press.
31st Dept. - Movie Information
- Original Title: 31-й отдел
- Release Year: 1972
- Directed by: Yuri Aksenov, Evgenya Kostenych
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Mystery
- Runtime: 2h 34m
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: Russian
- Alternative Titles: 31 otdel (SU)
- Production Companies: Central Television USSR, Leningradskaya Studiya Televideniya
- Production Countries: Soviet Union
31st Dept. - Plot
The Commissioner of Police has been tasked with conducting an investigation into the threat of a terrorist attack in the building of the press concern. During the investigation, he learns about the existence of the 31st department, created by the management of the concern with the aim of eliminating the opposition press.
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31st Dept. - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yuri Aksenov
- Evgenya Kostenych
Main Cast
- Efim Kopelyan
- Nikolai Korn
- Oleg Basilashvili
- Boris Ryzhukhin
- Mikhail Ivanov
- Mikhail Danilov
- Lyudmila Makarova
- Nikolay Trofimov
- Zinaida Sharko
- Vladislav Strzhelchik
Writers
- Stella Zhdanova
31st Dept. - FAQs
What is 31st Dept. about?
31st Dept. follows a police commissioner assigned to investigate a terrorist threat inside a powerful press concern. As the case unfolds, he uncovers a clandestine unit — the 31st department — secretly established by the concern's management to suppress and eliminate opposition journalism.
What does the 31st department represent in the film?
The 31st department is a covert internal unit created by the press concern's leadership to silence dissenting voices. It serves as the film's central symbol of institutional corruption and the abuse of power, reflecting Cold War-era anxieties about censorship and the suppression of free press.
Who directed 31st Dept.?
31st Dept. was co-directed by Yuri Aksenov and Evgenya Kostenych. The film was produced for Soviet television, made in collaboration between Central Television USSR and Leningradskaya Studiya Televideniya, and released in 1972.
Who are the main actors in 31st Dept.?
The film features a strong ensemble of Soviet stage and screen talent. Efim Kopelyan leads as the police commissioner, joined by Oleg Basilashvili, Nikolai Korn, Boris Ryzhukhin, Lyudmila Makarova, Vladislav Strzhelchik, Zinaida Sharko, and Nikolay Trofimov, among others.
Is 31st Dept. based on a true story or a novel?
31st Dept. is based on the novel of the same name by Swedish crime writer Per Wahlöö, written in 1964. Wahlöö's work is a satirical political thriller critiquing media power and state repression, themes that translated naturally into a Soviet television production.
What genre is 31st Dept. and who is it for?
31st Dept. blends crime investigation with political mystery. It's well-suited for fans of slow-burn detective stories, Soviet-era cinema, and narratives that use genre conventions to explore deeper themes of press freedom, institutional corruption, and moral compromise.
How long is 31st Dept.?
31st Dept. runs for 154 minutes — just over two and a half hours. The extended runtime reflects its origins as a Soviet television production, allowing the story to develop its characters and political intrigue at a deliberate, immersive pace.
What are some similar films to 31st Dept.?
If 31st Dept. appeals to you, consider The International (2009), a thriller about corporate crime and corruption, or The Detective (1968), another investigative crime drama with sharp social commentary. The Mirror Crack'd (1980) and All the Devils Are Here (2025) also offer compelling mystery narratives.
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