Thirst (1959)
A gripping Soviet wartime drama rooted in real events, following a scout's perilous mission to reclaim Odessa's water supply from Nazi occupation.
Thirst - Movie Information
- Original Title: Жажда
- Release Year: 1959
- Directed by: Yevgeni Tashkov
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: German, Russian, Ukrainian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 2, 1960 (SU)
- Alternative Titles: Zhazhda (RU)
- Production Companies: Odessa Film Studio
- Production Countries: Soviet Union
Thirst - Plot
Based on real events. Vyacheslav Tikhonov, in the first of his spy roles, portrays a scout in an operation to free an Odessa water plant from the Nazis.
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Thirst - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yevgeni Tashkov
Main Cast
- Vyacheslav Tikhonov
- Yuri Belov
- Vladimir Ivanov
- Boris Bityukov
- Yevgeni Morgunov
- Valentina Khmara
- Anton Dotshenko
- Yuri Gorobets
- Oleg Golubitsky
- Vasiliy Vekshin
Writers
- Grigori Pozhenyan
Thirst - FAQs
Where can you watch Thirst (1959) online?
Thirst (1959) has limited mainstream streaming availability in the United States. You can check JustWatch for the most current viewing options in your region, as availability on digital platforms may vary and change over time.
Is Thirst (1959) based on a true story?
Yes, Thirst is explicitly based on real events. The film dramatizes an actual wartime operation in which Soviet scouts worked to liberate the water supply plant in Odessa from Nazi control during World War II, drawing on documented historical incidents from the siege of the city.
Who plays the lead role in Thirst (1959)?
Vyacheslav Tikhonov stars as Oleg Bezborodko, the central Soviet scout. This was one of Tikhonov's earliest spy and intelligence roles, foreshadowing his later iconic performance as Stirlitz in the celebrated Soviet television series Seventeen Moments of Spring.
What is Thirst (1959) about?
Thirst follows a Soviet reconnaissance unit tasked with freeing an Odessa water treatment plant seized by Nazi forces during World War II. Rooted in real wartime events, the film blends tense military action with personal drama, exploring courage, sacrifice, and survival under occupation.
Who directed the 1959 Soviet film Thirst?
Thirst was directed by Yevgeni Tashkov, a Soviet filmmaker known for his work in dramatic and wartime cinema. The film was produced at the Odessa Film Studio and written by Grigori Pozhenyan, a poet and war veteran whose personal wartime experience informed the screenplay.
How long is the film Thirst (1959)?
Thirst has a runtime of 80 minutes, making it a compact and focused wartime drama. Its relatively brief running time keeps the narrative taut and the tension sustained throughout the mission at the heart of the story.
What language is Thirst (1959) in?
The film is primarily in Russian, its original language, with German and Ukrainian also spoken across the film. This multilingual texture reflects the wartime setting in Odessa, a city with a diverse cultural and linguistic heritage during the Soviet era.
Who wrote the screenplay for Thirst (1959)?
The screenplay was written by Grigori Pozhenyan, a celebrated Soviet poet who also served as a naval scout during World War II. His firsthand wartime experience lent the script an authentic and personal dimension, grounding the story in genuine historical memory.
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