LAČPLĒSIS directed by Aleksandrs Rusteiķis, 1930

The popular theme of the legendary hero Lačplēsis valiantly struggling against the foreign invader in the guise of the Black Knight in Latvian folklore and literature was taken by Rusteiķis in this film to portray the Latvian nation’s war of  independence for freedom in 1918-1920. It became the most popular Latvian silent film during the period between the two world wars. It’s premiere provoked an international scandal in neighbouring Estonia. Estonians were affronted because their assistance in a decisive battle against the German army was not shown.