We Live Again

We Live Again

Year: 1934

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Rouben Mamoulian

Drama

Nekhludoff, a Russian aristocrat serving as a juror, learns that the defendant, the young Katusha, is a woman he once seduced and abandoned, a fate he partly caused. Determined to atone, he battles his own conscience and the legal system, seeking redemption for both Katusha and himself.

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Timeline & Setting – We Live Again (1934)

Explore the full timeline and setting of We Live Again (1934). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

The narrative unfolds in the era of Tsarist Russia, when class lines are sharply drawn and the law is intertwined with aristocratic power. Noble privilege and servitude dictate relationships, and exile to Siberia looms as a severe consequence for those deemed morally compromised. This period's social mores drive the tragedy and highlight the possibility of moral awakening.

Location

Moscow, Siberia

The story moves from Moscow's aristocratic circles to the harsh landscape of Siberia, reflecting the rigid social order of Tsarist Russia. Moscow serves as the hub of power, courtly intrigue, and public judgment, while the Siberian border becomes a stark symbol of punishment and potential redemption. The settings juxtapose opulence and exile, underscoring how geography and class shape fate.

🇷🇺 Russia 🏙️ Moscow 🧭 Siberia

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:16

Main Characters – We Live Again (1934)

Meet the key characters of We Live Again (1934), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Prince Dmitri Nekhlyudov (Fredric March)

A once- carefree nobleman whose reckless liaison with Katusha triggers a chain of guilt, separation, and a desperate search for atonement. His mounting remorse drives him to intervene in the case and pursue reconciliation, even at the cost of his own social standing. He embodies the tension between privilege and moral responsibility.

💎 Noble 💔 Guilt 🕊️ Redemption

Katusha Maslova (Anna Sten)

An innocent servant whose life spirals into poverty and prostitution after her affair with Dmitri. She bears the weight of society's judgment and the tragedy of her child's death, yet she remains resilient. Her evolving feelings toward Dmitri shape the emotional core of the story, and her eventual stance on forgiveness drives the final act.

🌹 Innocence 🧭 Resilience 🕊️ Complex

Aunt Marie (Ethel Griffies)

An elder relative within Dmitri's aristocratic circle, representing the traditional family and social expectations. Her presence anchors the household's propriety and the pressures placed on Dmitri and Katusha. She embodies the intergenerational dynamics of privilege and duty.

👵 Family 🏰 Aristocracy 💬 Gossip

Missy Kortchagin (Jane Baxter)

Dmitri's fiancée and the daughter of a wealthy judge, symbolizing social status and the pressure to maintain appearances. Her engagement frames the intersect of romance, duty, and class politics. Her reactions reflect the era's expectations of women within elite circles.

💃 Socialite 🎭 Facade 🏛️ Power

Prince Kortchagin (C. Aubrey Smith)

A noble figure connected to the court and Missy’s social world, representing the authority and influence of the upper class. His position highlights the tension between personal desire and the demands of social rank. His presence underscores the interplay between law, privilege, and perception.

👑 Power ⚖️ Authority

Judge (Edgar Norton)

The presiding jurist whose courtroom decisions influence Katusha’s fate. His role embodies the complexity of justice within a system colored by class and reputation. His authority sets the stage for the tension between law and mercy that drives the narrative.

⚖️ Justice 🏛️ Courtroom

The Colonel (Morgan Wallace)

An authoritative prison official figure whose presence reflects the coercive power of the penal system. He represents the machinery of punishment and the harsh realities awaiting those sent to exile. His presence frames the film's exploration of redemption within confinement.

🎖️ Authority 🏢 Prison system

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:16

Major Themes – We Live Again (1934)

Explore the central themes of We Live Again (1934), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love & Redemption

Love is tested by guilt and social codes, pushing characters toward acts of forgiveness or prideful denial. Dmitri's remorse for abandoning Katusha fuels his pursuit of redemption, even at great personal cost. Katusha's resilience and vulnerability reveal how love can endure hardship and social scorn. The final reunion on the Siberian border embodies the possibility that true forgiveness can redefine a life.

⚖️ Justice & Hypocrisy

The courtroom and jury dynamics expose a gap between official justice and human mercy. Katusha is convicted through legal phrasing and social prejudice, illustrating how language and status influence verdicts. Dmitri's attempts to intervene reveal how power can bend justice toward pity or punishment. The film critiques a system that punishes the vulnerable while often leniencies toward the powerful go unchecked.

🎭 Appearances & Social Masks

Society demands propriety, creating facades that govern relationships and choices. Dmitri's involvement with Katusha disrupts his aristocratic image and Missy Kortchagin's social circle, exposing the hollowness of appearances. Katusha's fall from grace underscores how quickly public masks can crumble. The narrative argues that breaking these masks is essential to authentic redemption.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:16

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We Live Again Summary

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We Live Again Summary

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We Live Again Timeline

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