Screenplay "True Friends" by Alexander Galich, summary

Alexander Galich’s screenplay, "True Friends," was written in 1954 and is a lyrical comedy about the value of human relationships and the test of friendship. The work’s key feature is that, despite its light genre, the author raises pressing issues of bureaucracy, leadership’s disconnect from reality, and professional duty, all while remaining within the framework of a bright, humanistic narrative. The film, directed by Mikhail Kalatozov, based on this script, enjoyed a resounding success at the Soviet box office, becoming a hallmark of cinematic history, and won the Grand Prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Oath on the Yauza

The story begins on the Moscow outskirts of Lefortovo. Three boys are sailing in an old, patched-up boat down the murky Yauza River. Among them are the serious and shaggy Sasha Lapin, nicknamed "Cat Master," the mischievous Borya Chizhov, also known as "Chizhik," and the dignified, long-legged Vaska Nestratov, aptly nicknamed "Turkey" by his friends. Vaska, believing himself to be the captain, commands, earning him a swift rebuke from his comrades. Dreaming of distant travels, the boys vow to meet again many years later and embark on a real voyage down the great river.

Thirty years later

Three decades later, the friends’ lives took different paths, though they all achieved success. Alexander Fyodorovich Lapin became a renowned livestock breeder, passionate about developing new horse breeds in the steppes. He was so dedicated to his work that he nearly missed his flight to Moscow after admiring a stallion.

Boris Petrovich Chizhov is now a renowned neurosurgeon and professor who teaches students that touching the brain should be "lighter than a petal." Despite his respectable status, he retains his youthful enthusiasm and, upon meeting Lapin at the university, slides down the banister toward him, shocking the students.

A third friend, Vasily Vasilyevich Nestratov, has become an academician of architecture. He sits in high offices, oversees the construction of large-scale projects, but has become inaccessible to ordinary people. Visitors wait in his office for weeks. Among them is Katya Sintsova, a construction technician from distant Tugurbay, trying to negotiate the replacement of imported bricks with local stone. Nestratov, surrounded by his assistants, refuses to see her. Lapin and Chizhov struggle to get to their old friend, overcoming a cordon of secretaries. Nestratov, although glad to see them, acts pompous and patronizing.

The beginning of the expedition

The friends decide to fulfill a long-held dream and set sail. Nestratov, accustomed to comfort, is counting on a luxury cruise, but Chizhov and Lapin trick him into a hard-sided carriage on the Moscow-Ufa train, literally shoving the academician and his suitcase into the vestibule.

On the train, Nestratov tries to isolate himself from his fellow passengers by feigning illness, but is quickly exposed while eating sandwiches. Gradually, the atmosphere of the journey and his interactions with ordinary people — the collective farmer Kuzmin and the land reclamation worker — begin to melt the ice of his arrogance.

Arriving at the river, Nestratov experiences another shock: instead of a motorboat, Lapin has prepared a log raft with a hut for the rafting trip. The academician tries to protest, but is forced to submit to the majority. The journey begins.

River Adventures

The raft moves slowly along the Kama. In the evening, the friends sing their old song about true friendship to the guitar. Their voices are heard by passengers on the passing ship "Ermak." On deck are Natalya Sergeyevna Kalinina, director of the Institute of Animal Husbandry, and the same Katya Sintsova. Natalya Sergeyevna recognizes the voice of Lapin — her old love, whom she broke up with eight years ago due to Alexander’s indecision.

A thunderstorm breaks out during the night. Chizhov spots a drowning man and dives into the water. The rescued man turns out to be a participant in a long-distance swim, who rudely berates his rescuers for disqualifying him. In the confusion, Chizhov loses his only shoe.

In the morning, the travelers dock at the village of Koshaisk to buy the professor new boots. Local boatmen mistake them for a Moscow-based performing group. To earn money for the shoes (the expedition’s budget is strictly limited by Chizhov), the friends are forced to perform at a club. Nestratov attempts a formal speech, which draws laughter from the audience, but a heartfelt rendition of a song saves the day.

Tugurbay and the Moment of Truth

The raft reaches Tugurbay, the site of a major construction project overseen by Nestratov from his Moscow office. The friends discover that bureaucracy reigns: construction manager Nekhoda, using Nestratov’s signature as cover, refuses to use cheap local materials, slowing down the work.

At this time, a fire breaks out in the steppe. A herd of horses, fleeing the flames, rushes toward the construction site. Natalya Sergeyevna, riding a horse, attempts to round up the herd, while Katya Sintsova, saving people and equipment, suffers a severe traumatic brain injury.

A young local doctor is at a loss — a complex operation is required. Lapin and Nestratov bring in Chizhov. Barefoot, wearing someone else’s worn-out shoes, he transforms in the operating room. Firmly and confidently commanding the staff, Chizhov performs a craniotomy and saves the girl. Nestratov, assisting his friend (handing him instruments), sees for the first time the true magnitude of a surgeon’s work and feels his own helplessness.

Bureaucratic looking glass

While Chizhov operates, Nestratov goes to the construction department to confront Nekhoda. A comical and tragic scene unfolds: Nekhoda refuses to believe that he is Academician Nestratov, mistaking him for an impostor inspector. Nestratov sees his own reflection in Nekhoda — a fellow bureaucrat, deaf to real affairs and people.

The situation reaches the point of absurdity: Nekhoda calls the police. The lieutenant interrogates the academician, who, undocumented and in dirty work clothes, tries to prove his identity. Nestratov, in despair, shouts, "I’m Nekhoda!" implying that he himself created this bureaucratic system.

The denouement comes with the arrival of Lapin and Chizhov. Their identities are established, but a mix-up with passports nearly leads to a shooting. Ultimately, the academician’s authority is restored. Shocked by what he saw, Nestratov immediately approves changes to the project, authorizing the use of local stone, something the Komsomol members and Katya had been pushing for so long.

The finale

The story ends on the pier. A recovering Katya learns good news. Chizhov organizes aid for the local hospital. Lapin finally explains his feelings to Natalya Sergeyevna, and they promise to see each other soon.

The three friends reboard the raft. Nestratov, having undergone a catharsis, has changed: his arrogance has been shed, he has become more humane and closer to his comrades. The locals, seeing them off, raise the enormous bridge, a tribute to the small raft.

"There are great rivers ahead, a long road lies ahead.
If we are friends, it will be forever, if we love with all our souls!
And my homeland blooms like a spring garden,
And old friends walk side by side through life!.."