Storm Over Asia (1928): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1928, Storm Over Asia is a drama and war film directed by Vsevolod Pudovkin, running about 127 minutes. “Pudovokin's Remarkable Film Of The East In Revolt” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. In 1918 a young and simple Mongol herdsman and trapper is cheated out of a valuable fox fur by a European capitalist fur trader. Ostracized from the trading post, he escapes to the hills after brawling with the trader who cheated him. In 1920 he becomes a Soviet partisan, and helps the partisans fight for the Soviets against the occupying British army. However he is captured by the British when they try to requisition cattle from the herdsmen at the same time as the commandant meets with a reincarnated Grand Lama. After the trapper is shot, the army discovers an amulet that suggests he is a direct descendant of Genghis Khan. They find him still alive, so the army restores his health and plans to use him as the head of a puppet regime. The trapper is thus thrust into prominence as he is placed in charge of the puppet government. By the end, however, the "puppet" turns against his masters in an outburst of fury.

Who’s in it. Storm Over Asia stars Valéry Inkijinoff as Bair, I. Dedintsev as The British Commandant, Aleksandr Chistyakov as The Russian Rebel Leader and Anel Sudakevich as Commandant's blonde daughter, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Storm Over Asia has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Storm Over Asia page.

If you liked it. Fans of Storm Over Asia tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.