It Happened in Penkovo


It Happened in Penkovo is a 1958 Soviet film directed by Stanislav Rostotsky. Film based on the novel of Sergey Antonov.

Plot

Matvey Morozov on his way home from prison recalls his story:
Matvey, a tractor-driver, lives in the village of Penkovo. He is a funny guy, but sometimes his jokes bring him trouble. Once he sets up a tug-of-war on tractors, breaks his tractor and nearly escapes criminal charges for that. Matvey is in love with the daughter of the chairman of the collective farm, Larissa, though her father strongly opposes their relationship. But soon Matvey and Larissa get married.
Tonya, a livestock specialist, arrives at the farm from Leningrad. She becomes active in many changes in the life of the villagers, and inspires young people to build a new club.
Matvey falls in love with Tonya, apparently attracted by an educated girl from the city, she loves him too and is struggling to contain and hide her feelings. But when he explains his feelings to her, Tonya says she "would not break his marriage". Meanwhile Larissa becomes terribly jealous. Alevtina, a newsmonger and the owner of local unofficial club, persuades Larissa to poison her rival, but at the last moment Larissa changes her mind and strikes the poisoned cup of tea from Tonya's hands. Larissa tells Matvey about it, and he punishes Alevtina for that: he locks her half-naked in the basement, causing minor injuries. Matvey goes to jail for that.
In the end Matvey joyfully returns home to his wife Larissa and a new-born son.

Cast