Torn Boots (1933)
A bold Soviet drama by Margarita Barskaya using children's anarchic play to expose class struggle in pre-Nazi Germany.
Torn Boots - Movie Information
- Original Title: Рваные башмаки
- Release Year: 1933
- Directed by: Margarita Barskaya
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: Russian
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 17, 1933 (Russia)
- Alternative Titles: Broken Shoes (US)
- Production Companies: Mezhrabpomfilm
- Production Countries: Soviet Union
Torn Boots - Plot
Working with children led Barskaya to create superb direct sound and an inspired style of shooting. Don't look for conventional cinematic syntax here. The film is chaotic in the way that Soviet films still knew how to be, and Langlois couldn't help but be seduced by its rebellious spirit, its anarchy and love of children, comparable to Vigo's Zero de conduite. As well as being a film made with and for children, it offers a complex take on Western society. Pre-Nazi Germany is not named as such but is carefully reconstructed, possibly under advice from Karl Radek, and children offer a playful reflection of class struggle – doubly excluded, as proletarians and as minors. “They play in the same way that they live”, one intertitle says. The interaction between their comical games and the yet more ludicrous ones played by adults is developed on several levels.
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Torn Boots - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Margarita Barskaya
Main Cast
- Mikhail Klimov
- Ivan Novoseltsev
- Varvara Alyokhina
- Klavdiya Polovikova
- Vladimir Uralskiy
- Lev Losev
- Nikolay Losev
- Anna Chekulaeva
- Natalia Sadovskaya
- Olga Bazanova
Writers
- Margarita Barskaya
Torn Boots - FAQs
What is Torn Boots about?
Torn Boots is a 1933 Soviet drama set in a thinly veiled pre-Nazi Germany, where children's street games become a vivid mirror of adult class conflict. Director Margarita Barskaya uses their anarchic play to expose the absurdities of bourgeois society and the grinding realities faced by working-class families.
Is Torn Boots comparable to any other classic films?
Yes — Henri Langlois famously drew a parallel between Torn Boots and Jean Vigo's Zéro de conduite, praising both films for their rebellious spirit and genuine love of children. Like Vigo's work, Barskaya's film channels childhood anarchy into sharp social commentary, making it a rare and celebrated piece of early cinema.
Who directed Torn Boots and why does it matter?
Margarita Barskaya directed Torn Boots, making her one of the very few women to helm a Soviet feature film in the early 1930s. Her background working directly with children gave the film an unusually authentic, spontaneous energy — and her anti-fascist convictions shaped its bold political undercurrent.
Where can I watch Torn Boots?
You can check current streaming availability for Torn Boots on JustWatch, which tracks where the film can be watched or rented across platforms in your region. As a rare 1933 Soviet film, availability may be limited, but JustWatch is the best place to find up-to-date options.
What makes Torn Boots unusual as a Soviet film?
Torn Boots stands out for its deliberately chaotic visual style and its use of direct sound — both uncommon in Soviet cinema of the era. Rather than following conventional cinematic syntax, Barskaya embraces an anarchic energy that feels closer to the French avant-garde than to standard Soviet propaganda filmmaking.
Who are the main actors in Torn Boots?
The cast features Mikhail Klimov as a Pastor, Ivan Novoseltsev as Valter's father, Anna Chekulaeva as Valter's mother, Klavdiya Polovikova as a blind woman, and Varvara Alyokhina as a schoolteacher, alongside a large ensemble of child performers central to the film's story.
What are the main themes explored in Torn Boots?
The film digs into class struggle, anti-fascism, and the double exclusion of working-class children — marginalized both as proletarians and as minors. It draws a pointed contrast between the games children play and the equally absurd power games of adults, all set against the backdrop of a rising authoritarian Europe.
When and where was Torn Boots first released?
Torn Boots premiered in Russia on December 17, 1933, and later reached American audiences under the title Broken Shoes, with a US release on March 29, 1934. It was produced by Mezhrabpomfilm, the Soviet studio known for its internationally minded, politically engaged productions of the era.
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