The Diplomatic Pouch (1927)

Directed by Alexander Dovzhenko; script by Moisei Zats and Boris Sharansky; camera by Nikolai Kozlovsky.

Inspired by the death of Soviet diplomatic courier Theodor Nette, this was one of the first films shot by famous director and writer Alexander Dovzhenko (1894–1956).

The Soviet Embassy in London sends two diplomatic couriers to Leningrad. They are attacked by the police on their way to Portsmouth and one of the couriers is killed. Although injured, the other courier jumps from the train with the diplomatic bag, which eventually reaches Portsmouth and is hidden from the police by the ship’s crew. At great cost and thanks to the courage of many people, the diplomatic pouch is safely delivered to Leningrad.