The Seventh Companion

The movie is set in 1918 during a tumultuous period in St. Petersburg, Russia, where the new government has declared the Red Terror, leading to widespread executions of perceived enemies of the revolution. The city is engulfed in chaos, and the oppressive atmosphere is evident in the treatment of prisoners and political tension.

General Eugene Pavlovich Adamov, a former royal army officer and law professor, is arrested and confined in a prison-like room that houses a mix of soldiers, officials, aristocrats, and criminals. Every day, prisoners are taken for trials, with most facing summary executions by firing squad, emphasizing the brutality of the Red Terror.

Adamov, resigned to his fate, quietly awaits execution, accepting that his life is nearing its end. The film highlights his calm demeanor amidst the chaos and the deadly proceedings surrounding him and other prisoners.

Miraculously, Adamov is released from prison due to his past refusal to prosecute sailors disobeying orders. The new government, recognizing his integrity, frees him, but he finds himself without a home as his apartment has been repossessed, forcing him to return to the prison environment.

Following his release, Adamov takes a job as a launderer, struggling to find stability amid the upheaval. This period reflects his sense of disorientation and the loss of his former status in society amidst the revolutionary chaos.

Adamov is offered a position as an investigator by the new government, marking his tentative reintegration into official roles. He begins investigating the murders of members of the military confiscation unit, the 'prodotryad', seeking justice in a corrupt and lawless environment.

While investigating, Adamov witnesses widespread lawlessness, with innocent people being executed without trial. His protests are ignored, illustrating the brutal and unjust nature of the Red Terror, which he desperately tries to oppose.

Adamov is captured by White Army forces, a stark turn of events reflecting the ongoing conflict between the Reds and Whites. His capture underscores the precarious and dangerous environment of post-revolutionary Russia.

In captivity, Adamov attempts to justify his actions and his reasons for supporting the Bolsheviks to the White officer. Despite his explanations, he is perceived as a traitor, and his integrity is challenged amid the chaos of the civil war.

The White officer orders Adamov to be shot, rejecting his defense and viewing him as a threat or traitor. The scene reflects the tragic and brutal consequences of the ongoing civil conflict and the pervasive violence of the era.