Ten Thousand Boys (1962)
A touching Soviet family film about the power of friendship across borders, connecting a lonely Japanese boy with thousands of young pen pals.
Ten Thousand Boys - Movie Information
- Original Title: 10000 мальчиков
- Release Year: 1962
- Directed by: Boris Buneev, Yoshiko Okada
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Family
- Runtime: 1h 17m
- Original Language: Russian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 24, 1962 (SU)
- Alternative Titles: 10000 Boys (US), Десять тысяч мальчиков (SU)
- Production Companies: Gorky Film Studios
- Production Countries: Soviet Union
Ten Thousand Boys - Plot
A Soviet violinist, during a concert tour in Japan, meets a little milk carrier named Taro. Upon returning home, the violinist tells Moscow schoolchildren about the lonely little Japanese boy who dreams of corresponding with Soviet kids. And 10,000 pioneers offered Taro their friendship...
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Ten Thousand Boys - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Boris Buneev
- Yoshiko Okada
Main Cast
- Ravshan Agzamov
- Svetlana Travkina
- Yekaterina Derevshchikova
- Yoshiko Okada
- Yuriy Koltsov
- Elizaveta Alekseeva
- Elena Ponsova
- Vera Petrova
- Nadezhda Samsonova
Writers
- Agniya Barto
Ten Thousand Boys - FAQs
What is Ten Thousand Boys about?
Ten Thousand Boys follows a Soviet violinist who, while on a concert tour in Japan, befriends a lonely young milk carrier named Taro. Back home, the violinist shares Taro's story with Moscow schoolchildren, and an extraordinary wave of warmth follows — 10,000 Soviet pioneers reach out to offer Taro their friendship.
Who directed Ten Thousand Boys?
Ten Thousand Boys was co-directed by Boris Buneev and Yoshiko Okada. Yoshiko Okada was a remarkable figure — a Japanese actress who had emigrated to the Soviet Union in the 1930s and went on to build a career in Soviet cinema, making her an ideal collaborator for this Soviet-Japanese story.
When was Ten Thousand Boys released?
Ten Thousand Boys was released on March 24, 1962, in the Soviet Union. The film came out during a period of cultural exchange and international goodwill efforts, which makes its story of cross-border friendship between Soviet and Japanese children especially fitting for its time.
Is Ten Thousand Boys based on a true story?
The film was inspired by real events. The screenplay was written by beloved Soviet children's poet Agniya Barto, who drew on actual correspondence campaigns between Soviet pioneers and children abroad. The idea of thousands of Soviet children writing to a lonely foreign boy reflects genuine peace and friendship initiatives of the era.
Who wrote the screenplay for Ten Thousand Boys?
The screenplay was penned by Agniya Barto, one of the most celebrated Soviet children's writers and poets. Barto was known for her deep empathy for children's inner lives, and her script brings genuine warmth and sincerity to this story of international friendship and solidarity.
Who are the main actors in Ten Thousand Boys?
The cast includes Ravshan Agzamov, Svetlana Travkina, Yekaterina Derevshchikova, Yoshiko Okada, Yuriy Koltsov, Elizaveta Alekseeva, Elena Ponsova, Vera Petrova, and Nadezhda Samsonova. Notably, director Yoshiko Okada also appears in front of the camera, adding an authentic Japanese presence to the film.
How long is Ten Thousand Boys?
Ten Thousand Boys runs for 77 minutes, making it a compact and well-paced watch. Its relatively short runtime suits its young target audience perfectly, delivering an emotionally resonant story of friendship and solidarity without overstaying its welcome.
What are some movies similar to Ten Thousand Boys?
If you enjoyed Ten Thousand Boys, you might also like Shapoklyak (1974), Winter in Prostokvashino (1984), Pippi Goes on Board (1969), Nocturna (2007), and Ploey: You Never Fly Alone (2018). These films share a similar spirit of childhood adventure, warmth, and imaginative storytelling for family audiences.
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