“The first part of a classic trilogy in which Kozintzev and Trauberg evoke the disturbed, restless pre-revolutionary years on the basis of memories and experiences of Bolshevik workers. Maxim is a fictional hero, a true popular hero, with indestructible good spirit and talents. His longing after freedom is in fact a recognition of every human being's right to a normal, happy life.... The dynamic narrative movement and the striking figure cut by Boris Chirkov as Maxim connect the film to the eccentric tradition of the 1920's (see note for The Devil's Wheel, below), while the film's humor, Maxim's smile and the gentleness of his gestures, give intimacy to this account of a much glorified historical movement.” Tom Luddy and Yvette Biro
Working closely with the directors, Dmitri Shostakovich contributed an original score to The Youth of Maxim.