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The remarkable story of the revolution that changed the world forever. Cold, hungry and disillusioned, the Russian factory workers of Petrograd staged a demonstration about a lack of bread during the winter of 1917. Incredibly, this protest for bread proved the catalyst for revolution and brought about the subsequent abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, ending years of imperial rule. Following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II the people of Russia rushed to form self governing Soviet councils and a temporary Provisional Government was created, promising elections. However, a charismatic revolutionary by the name of Vladimir Lenin was keen to make the revolution his own. With the help of the sailors of Kronstadt, a mighty force at the time, Lenin swept aside the Provisional Government in a second revolution that gave power to his Bolshevik party. Once he had secured control Lenin closed the democratic assembly and created a police state and that was just the beginning! The Russian Revolution uses dramatised and colourised archive material to tell the astonishing story of one of history s most extraordinary social movements
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Gives A Real Flavour Of The Times As It's Both Very Informative And Visually Extremely Effective.
1 Mar 2009
Format:DVD
If you're like me and you spend a lot of time reading history books, and especially books on the subject of the Russian Revolution, this two DVD set is a real pleasure to behold because with the aid of colourised original footage and tasteful reconstuctions it is possible to gain a greater understanding of the period of time in question, without the need so much in having to rely on your own imagination, which can be the one drawback when reading, without the use of visual aids (as in film).
The story is pretty much told from the perspective of the Kronstadt sailors who were a major force in helping the Bolsheviks to achieve power, but who would later feel betrayed by the Bolsheviks and would turn against them. The background to the Revolution is told in a clear an concise manner, especially with regard to the Russian situation in the first world war, where for various reasons, especially through ill preparation, things were very bleak on the battleline and at home. Lenin is portrayed very clearly in the accounts given by the various historians, as are many of the other leading players in the turn of events - Tsar Nicholas, the workers, the provisional government, and the Kronstadt sailors themselves. The story is taken up to the Russian civil war battle between the red army and the whites, and the consequence of the Bolshevik (Communist) victory, especially with regard to the change in loyalties of the Kronstadt sailors after realising Lenin and his party had pretty much become a dictatorship.
As i wrote previously the reconstructions are very tastefully acted out - they are certainly not done in a sensationalised way, and the documentary is extremely informative generally. However, this documentary perhaps works best in conjunction with reading matter on the subject because they compliment each other so well. The DVD supplies very much the visual feel of the events, and also a detailed outline of the most important features, while books (especially the more comprehensive ones) fill in on some of the finer points, which a standard documentary could ill afford to go into for practical reasons.
All in all, a very good purchase and (at the time of writing) for a very reasonable price.
The story is pretty much told from the perspective of the Kronstadt sailors who were a major force in helping the Bolsheviks to achieve power, but who would later feel betrayed by the Bolsheviks and would turn against them. The background to the Revolution is told in a clear an concise manner, especially with regard to the Russian situation in the first world war, where for various reasons, especially through ill preparation, things were very bleak on the battleline and at home. Lenin is portrayed very clearly in the accounts given by the various historians, as are many of the other leading players in the turn of events - Tsar Nicholas, the workers, the provisional government, and the Kronstadt sailors themselves. The story is taken up to the Russian civil war battle between the red army and the whites, and the consequence of the Bolshevik (Communist) victory, especially with regard to the change in loyalties of the Kronstadt sailors after realising Lenin and his party had pretty much become a dictatorship.
As i wrote previously the reconstructions are very tastefully acted out - they are certainly not done in a sensationalised way, and the documentary is extremely informative generally. However, this documentary perhaps works best in conjunction with reading matter on the subject because they compliment each other so well. The DVD supplies very much the visual feel of the events, and also a detailed outline of the most important features, while books (especially the more comprehensive ones) fill in on some of the finer points, which a standard documentary could ill afford to go into for practical reasons.
All in all, a very good purchase and (at the time of writing) for a very reasonable price.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Excellent documentary on how by perfidious means the Communists gained control of the revolution
29 Jan 2007
Format:DVD
Using colourised original footage & re-enactments of events, this documentary shows the Russian Revolution through the eyes of the Kronstadt sailors.
From a purely accuracy perspective the use of re-enactments is frowned upon. In reality the availability of key footage is often limited or not available at all; hence the need for re-enactments. As long as they do not dramatise the event like a Hollywood thriller & follow the events as closely as is possible, their usage cannot be condemned. In this case they meet all the prerequisites for acceptable re-enactment.
While churlish commentators condemned the use of colorized original footage when it was first used in the series WW1 in Colour, I positively welcome its use. In my view it tends to add additional vitality to the presentation without detracting from its authenticity in any way. In all respects it is an enhancement which I suspect will with the effluxion of time become the norm.
For me, this DVD brought the events to life. The use of the Kronstadt sailors as the central theme adds intimacy to the video which would otherwise be lacking.
The only negative that I can list is of minor consequence viz the spreading of a 104 minute video over 2 DVDs. With a capacity in excess of 2.5 hours, the only reason that I can possibly think for this procedure was as a selling point - "2 DVDs" - and if this is so, it is cheap trick.
From a purely accuracy perspective the use of re-enactments is frowned upon. In reality the availability of key footage is often limited or not available at all; hence the need for re-enactments. As long as they do not dramatise the event like a Hollywood thriller & follow the events as closely as is possible, their usage cannot be condemned. In this case they meet all the prerequisites for acceptable re-enactment.
While churlish commentators condemned the use of colorized original footage when it was first used in the series WW1 in Colour, I positively welcome its use. In my view it tends to add additional vitality to the presentation without detracting from its authenticity in any way. In all respects it is an enhancement which I suspect will with the effluxion of time become the norm.
For me, this DVD brought the events to life. The use of the Kronstadt sailors as the central theme adds intimacy to the video which would otherwise be lacking.
The only negative that I can list is of minor consequence viz the spreading of a 104 minute video over 2 DVDs. With a capacity in excess of 2.5 hours, the only reason that I can possibly think for this procedure was as a selling point - "2 DVDs" - and if this is so, it is cheap trick.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This DVD Chronicles in the form of Real footage and Docu-drama the period leading upto and the after the October Revolution of 1917.
Its strong point is that continuity in a fluid and complex situation, is maintained by keeping the story based on the Kronstadt ( sailors )Naval forces. Their involvement was in supporting the initial Revolution, and then weighing in behind the Bolsheviks to push through the second Revolution that saw Lenin and all ascend to power with their muscle.
It provides an interesting insight into St Petersburgs social turmoil and , then follows up with some account of the sailors involvement in fighting off the White Army. It depicts a fascinating feverish atmosphere of excitement people had for the real possibilities of Democratic process. The Sailors emerge as an interesting mix of intellect and muscle.
Too late they foresaw the Bolshevik monster they had assisted, and were themselves ultimately destroyed by the Red Army.
There is little mention of Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin who were in different ways so active and instrumental in this phase of overturniong the Tsarist state. There is very little analysis of the forces that lead to a weakening of the Tsarist system, nor much analysis of the social situation that precipitated such a Revolutionary atmosphere.
Ultimately an interesting CD, but falling far short of doing justice to this massive, important and world changing event. It would be a good view for young School students starting a Historical study of the Russian Revolution.
Its strong point is that continuity in a fluid and complex situation, is maintained by keeping the story based on the Kronstadt ( sailors )Naval forces. Their involvement was in supporting the initial Revolution, and then weighing in behind the Bolsheviks to push through the second Revolution that saw Lenin and all ascend to power with their muscle.
It provides an interesting insight into St Petersburgs social turmoil and , then follows up with some account of the sailors involvement in fighting off the White Army. It depicts a fascinating feverish atmosphere of excitement people had for the real possibilities of Democratic process. The Sailors emerge as an interesting mix of intellect and muscle.
Too late they foresaw the Bolshevik monster they had assisted, and were themselves ultimately destroyed by the Red Army.
There is little mention of Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin who were in different ways so active and instrumental in this phase of overturniong the Tsarist state. There is very little analysis of the forces that lead to a weakening of the Tsarist system, nor much analysis of the social situation that precipitated such a Revolutionary atmosphere.
Ultimately an interesting CD, but falling far short of doing justice to this massive, important and world changing event. It would be a good view for young School students starting a Historical study of the Russian Revolution.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Revolution
this dvd explains in a manner that my daughter can understand and relate to her A level history studies on the Russian Revolution.
Published 2 months ago by why
Not quite the whole story
In terms of overall production and dramatic recreation, along with the use of colour, this is reasonably impressive. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Roy Bainton
The Russian revolution.
This all time great Russian documentary features the great Russian wall Red Square and off course the great Soviet Union's
very own Red Army. Jason Louis-Fernand.
very own Red Army. Jason Louis-Fernand.
Published 15 months ago by Jason Louis-Fernand
COURAGE HAS NO BOUNDARY
What would I have wanted to know before I purchased the product? THE FACTS No, but this a
great DVD,concise,not overburdened with detail like a lot of these products... Read more
great DVD,concise,not overburdened with detail like a lot of these products... Read more
Published 21 months ago by J. Huartson
Good
It's well made, a good documentary, brilliant cinematography, good use of original film, and good commentary. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by Derek Hughes
The Russian Revolution in colour.
An excellent factual presentation that uses both original footage and dramatisation to tell the story of the Russian Revolution over two, hour long DVD's. Read more
Published on 1 May 2009 by Litsgeek
The Russian Revolution in Colour
This is the excelllent 2 part series that was broadcast on Channel 5 in the spring. The merging of the archive footage with the carefully choreographed reconstructions make for a... Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2005
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