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Russia 1917: Countdown to Revolution

The story of Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin over the 245 days that brought them to power. As the history unfolds, writers and historians debate the meaning of the Russian Revolution.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 is one of the most controversial events of the 20th century. Three men - Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin - emerged from obscurity to forge an entirely new political system. In the space of six months, they turned the largest country on earth into the first Communist state. Was this a triumph of people power or a political coup d'etat that led to blood-soaked totalitarianism? A hundred years later, the Revolution still sparks ferocious debate. This film dramatizes the 245 days that brought these men to supreme power. As the history unfolds, a stellar cast of writers and historians, including Martin Amis, Orlando Figes, Helen Rappaport, Simon Sebag-Montefiore and China Mieville, battle over the meaning of the Russian Revolution and explore how it shaped the world we live in today.

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 8 Dec 2020 00:15

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:15

    Devlin

    End of Days

Credits

Role Contributor
Lenin Nicholas Asbury
Trotsky Milo Twomey
Stalin Nicholas Cowell
Kerensky Jonny McPherson
Interviewed Guest Tariq Ali
Interviewed Guest Orlando Figes
Interviewed Guest Bridget Kendall
Interviewed Guest China Mieville
Interviewed Guest Simon Sebag Montefiore
Interviewed Guest Martin Amis
Interviewed Guest Victor Sebestyen
Composer John Hardy
Director Renny Bartlett
Editor Graeme Dawson
Executive Producer Nicolas Kent
Executive Producer Susan Jones
Narrator Juliet Stevenson
Producer Charlotte Sacher
Production Company Oxford Film and Television
Production Manager Floury Crum
Production Manager Penny Davis
Director of photography James Swift
Focus Puller Mitchell Thomas
Sound Recordist David Runciman
Camera Operator Sam Hardy
Camera Operator Kelly Beaton
Make-up Designer Jutta Russell
Makeup Artist Sara Fagan
Makeup Artist Madlen Mierzwiak
Costume designer Heidi Miller
Casting Simon Pereira Hind
Production Designer Erik Rehl
Prop Buyer Kitty Walker
Production Coordinator Emily Rimmer
Assistant Producer Kathryn Ellinger

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