Pavel Artemyevich Vereshchagin

Pavel Artemyevich Vereshchagin - a soldier of pre-retirement age, who was out of work as a result of revolutionary changes in the country, since in September 1918 a separate corps of the SS was abolished, and in the former empire intervention and civil war began . From the film it becomes known that in tsarist times he was widely known in the circles of Central Asian smugglers and in general “every dog ​​knew him” there. But with the beginning of the civil war, control over the border for some time weakened, as a result of which the activity of local criminal elements became more active. Pavel Artemyevich has to put up with surrounding arbitrariness, since he no longer has the previous power and authority for himself. The former empire perished, the only son of Vereshchagin, Nikolai, died small, and Vereshchagin relives his personal drama in idleness, drunkenness and singing lyrical songs. At the same time, his wife Anastasia is trying to distract her husband from the blues and idleness. This monotonous existence is interrupted by the appearance of Petrukha and Sukhova in the village of the Red Army men . Petruha clearly reminds Vereshchagin of a son, and in Sukhov, he sees a person who is close in spirit, but has not lost his life goal. Under the influence of this meeting, Vereshchagin enters the fight against the gang of Abdullah.

From the film it follows that before Vereshchagin was a combat non-commissioned officer , a member of the First World War , he served in cavalry and had, in particular, several crosses of St. George . It is known that he received his injuries before the clashes with smugglers ^[1] .

In the end of the film, Vereshchagin dies in an explosion on the launch , mined by Sukhov in order to prevent Abdulla's gang from leaving the border.

• I had customs - there were smugglers. Now there is no customs - there are no smugglers.
• Again you put this caviar to me. I can not her every day, damn, there is! I wish I could buy bread!
• Peacocks in the yard saw? Here they were replaced by ... his uniform .
• I will finish it now too, and I'll leave it.
• Here's what guys: I will not give you a machine gun .
• I do n’t take a bribe - it hurts me for the Power!
• Now we will see what it Sukhov.
• I hurt your Petruha soul!
• Well, come on in ...

• The performer of the role of Vereshchagin, Pavel Luspekaev, at the time of filming survived the amputation of both feet, and each episode was given to him at the cost of incredible volitional efforts. Like the character, the actor experienced personal drama, realizing that he was doomed ^[2] .
• Originally directed by Vladimir Motyl, he planned to shoot Pavel Luspekaev on crutches, but after the first meeting with him and the conversation between them he decided to change his plans ^[3] .
• This is how the image of Vereshchagin is directed by director Vladimir Mirzoev:

Vereshchagin did not accidentally become one of the favorite folk heroes. Here coincided the rare actor's charm of Pavel Borisovich himself and the national archetype , apparently, ascending to Ilya of Murom . Vereshchagin sits in bed, lashes vodka, takes bribes, but only until his deepest feelings are touched. Then he wakes up, comes out of the den, and restores the violated justice.

and writer Vladimir Sharov:

In the film, and especially in the character of Vereshchagin, - our true self-image. We are powerful, condescending and uncluttered. We drink a lot, but from the sadness and imperfection of the world. We are sure that our image is distorted by enemies or circumstances. Evil, we do not wish anyone, and when everything completely goes beyond, in silence, but rather decisively eliminate untruth and evil ^[4] .

• Pavel Vereshchagin is considered a symbol of the customs service ^{[5] [6] [7] [8]} .
• The song “Lady Luck” performed by Pavel Luspekaev is the unofficial anthem of the customs service ^[9] .

• In 2001, a monument to Pavel Vereshchagin was erected on the territory of the Amvrosiyevsk customs of Ukraine ^[10] . Monuments to Pavel Vereshchagin were also installed: in the city of Kurgan in 2007, near the building of the Kurgan customs ^[11] , and in Moscow ^[12] .
• A memorial sign "With a bow from the customs officers of the North-West" was installed at the tomb of Pavel Luspekaev in the St. Petersburg's North Cemetery, and the patrol ship Pavel Vereshchagin was named in his honor in the Far East.

• Oh, I want to be such a customs officer, like Vereshchagin ... To not take bribes, and caviar to crack with a spoon ... ^[13]