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Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik

Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues with the story of Joseph Stalin and the run-up to Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.

By Mike Walker

In June 1941, when news came through that the Nazis had taken Minsk, 300 miles into Soviet territory, Joseph Stalin retired to his dacha. And there he stayed for three days - refusing to answer the telephone or to see anyone.

What was he doing, at a time when his country needed him most? Had he suffered a mental breakdown? Was he unable to face up to his gross miscalculation that Hitler would not start a war on two fronts? Or did he fear arrest? And was this an act of cunning, to test the loyalty of his inner circle?

Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues with the story of Joseph Stalin and the invasion of the Soviet Union.

The guitarist was Colin Guthrie.

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

58 minutes

Last on

Sat 11 Nov 2017 21:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Stalin Brian McCardie
Nadya Abbie Andrews
Svetlana Rosie Boore
Zhukov Danny Sapani
Trotsky Samuel James
Ribbentrop Kenneth Collard
Molotov Philip Bretherton
Poskrebyshev Neil McCaul
Beria Charlie Clements
Khruschev David Reakes
Polina Isabella Inchbald
Fyodor Adam Fitzgerald
Director Sasha Yevtushenko
Writer Mike Walker

Broadcasts

  • Sun 5 Nov 2017 15:00
  • Sat 11 Nov 2017 21:00