Earth (AKA
Zemlya) is the third of Soviet director
Alexander Dovzhenko's "Ukraine tetralogy" (
Zvenigora (1928),
Arsenal (1929), and
Ivan (1932) are the other films in the series). The story tells of a group of farmers in a Ukrainian village, who unite to purchase a tractor. The leader of the peasants is later killed by a kulak, or landowner, who dislikes any form of united front that might pose a threat to his long-established authority. The events fade into memory, but the long-ranging effects of the peasant "revolt"--like the Earth itself--last forever. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide