Too many fans seem to be blown away

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

As others have noted, this is "Socialist Realism"-i.e. portraying things the way the Powers That Be WANT them to be portrayed. Stalin hadn't completely established his iron grip by 1934 so movie makers had a moderate amount of latitude but they still had to conform to The Party Line, hence a movie very similar to those we made during WWII-"Our" side is noble, just and honorable, the "Enemy: is evil, crass-and stupid. I saw this movie years ago when I was in a Russian language course in the Army, in a version with a modest amount of subtitles. I recall the attack of the Whites was labeled "The Psychological Attack"-they form up in closed ranks and advance over open terrain against Bolsheviks armed with machine guns and ALMOST succeed until Chapayev rallies the troops and repels them. Yeah, right.

The 1934 film Chapaev is a popular Russian about a Russian Civil War hero Chapaev. The movie is based on a book by Dmitri Furmonov who wrote on the exploits of A Red Commander during the Russian Civil War, Chapaev. The movie was very successful in Russia and is a classic example of Socialist Realism. The movie demonstrates how the Soviet party leadership characterized the place of military as well as political commanders in the Red Army. Chapaev is a is a peasant commander during the Russian Civil war who is tough, brave, and capable a capable commander. However his political commander, Furmonov, is the savvy leader behind Chapaev who is able to understand the political consequences of situations. Chapaev was a peasant who had just recently learned to read. He was confidant on the battlefield and able to led men bravely to achieve military victories. Yet it is Furmonov who advises Chapaev on what to do in between battles. In one scene when the Chapaev's troops wanted to pillage a town, Chapaev was influenced by the political officer Furmonov to have his soldiers protect the village. This way they would have the support of the peasants for the revolution. This demonstrates how the political officers are important to the Red Army and also to the new socialist society that requires Bolshevik leadership.The movie is a classic example of socialist realism in how it depicts the roles of the Bolshevik party in society and how the Bolsheviks want the people to follow.

The film is based on the diaries of Commissioner Furmanov, Chapayev's right-hand man and one of the heroes of the film. It tells the story of Vassiliy Ivanovich Chapayev, a Red Army hero during the Russian Civil War (1918-1922). The illiterate chief of a gang of marauding cavalry men is portrayed as a noble protector of the common folk and a brave soldier, a menace to the evil White Army. Interestingly enough, this 1930s war epic is mostly famous not for its Communist propaganda (nothing else can really be expected from Soviet movies of that period) or its realistic portrayal of the Civil War battles, but for a countless number of jokes and anecdotes about the movie heroes. In that sense Chapayev has become a huge part of the Russian street folklore and one of the most famous Soviet movies ever made. Vassiliy Ivanovich, Petka, Anka (the last two's romance is an interesting subplot in the film) and even the stoic Furmanov are laughed at by millions and millions of Russians for God knows how long now. As for the movie itself, it is far from a comedy although there are some light-hearted moments, mainly dealing with Chapayev's illiteracy and Petka's flirt with Anka. It may not be 100% true to history or to Furmanov's accounts (for example, the real-life Petka died a much more gruesome death than his movie counterpart) but it is an interesting look at the Civil War and one of its most legendary figures.

Chapayev was an illiterate war hero in the Russian Revolution. He is an interesting character. Completely illiterate, he was an inspiration to his men by being simple, brave, modest and honest. Think G.C. Scott's "Patton" or "Sharpe's Rifles," this is Chapayev! It rings vaguely of propaganda, like most war films of the 30's. The White Guard officers are portrayed as greedy, abusive dilletantes, whereas Red Chapayev and his Bolshevik comrade and assistant are honest, wholesome folk. This film is a good war flick, and one interesting thing about it was that the brothers Vasiliev attempted to film everything in the actual locations where the battles took place. Chapayev really died where he did in the movie. Good for history buffs, definitely.