The White Guard (film)

The White Guard (Белая гвардия) is a 1929 Soviet silent historical drama film directed by Alexander Ivanov based on the novel The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov.

The film depicts the chaotic events of the Russian Civil War in 1918 Ukraine, specifically focusing on the city of Kyiv during the collapse of the Hetmanate and the struggle for control between Ukrainian nationalists, Bolsheviks, and White Guard forces. The story revolves around the Turbin family, intellectuals caught in the crossfire of the revolution. They are forced to choose sides and fight for their survival amidst the turmoil and ideological conflicts. The film portrays the breakdown of the old order and the human cost of the civil war. It is notable for being one of the early Soviet adaptations of Bulgakov's work.