The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty ( Padenie dinastii Romanovykh )

The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty (DVD) (*)

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Original Title: Padenie dinastii Romanovykh
Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
Silent ( Mono )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
87 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Commentary
Documentary
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Black & White
Remastered

Movie filmed in 1927 and produced in:
Soviet Union ( Russia, Eastern Europe )
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Esfir Shub

Written By:
V.I. Lenin
Esfir Shub

Actors:
Mikhail Alekseyev ..... Himself (with Tsar Nicholas) (archive footage)
Alexei Brusilov ..... Himself (consults with another officer)
Nikolai Chkheidze ..... Himself (chairman, 1st session, Petrograd Soviet)
Emperor Franz Josef ..... Himself (reviews troops) (archive footage)
Vera Figner ..... Herself (People's Will Party, in open car) (archive footage)
Aleksandr Guchkov ..... Himself (archive footage)
Iliodor ..... Himself (monk, Rasputin's rival) (archive footage)
Aleksandr Izvolsky ..... Himself (ambassador to France, gets into carriage)
Joseph Joffre ..... Himself (with Millerand) (archive footage)
Kaiser Wilhelm II ..... Himself (reviews troops, bigger fur collar than other officers)
Governor of Kaluga ..... Himself (governor, Kaluga, with wife, dog, servants)
Aleksandr Kerensky ..... Himself (doffs fur hat, shakes hands of soldiers)
King George V ..... Himself (in ceremonial carriage, not visible)
Aleksandr Kolchak ..... Himself (aboard ship)
P.V. Krupensky ..... Himself (archive footage)

Synopsis:

No revolution has been portrayed on screen more vividly than St Petersburg (Petrograd) in October 1917, and if what we see in Soviet films of the 1920s is not exactly the truth as it happened, The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty confirms that even fact can be reinterpreted. Esfir Shub's 1927 documentary uses a wealth of archive footage--beginning with Romanov tercentennial celebrations in 1913, and ending with the Bolshevik takeover four years on. Here truth really is fashioned into myth: it's good to have Oleg Donskikh's introduction and continuous commentary as to what actually happened, pointing out economies with the actualité on a scene-by-scene basis. The musical score consists of a medley of Russian favourites, pounded out on an electric piano, making for a rather limited, though not inappropriate, soundtrack. On the DVD: the additional documentary essay is a useful overview, worth consulting beforehand; the on-screen Romanov photo collection reproduces well and is a valuable bonus. The documentary has been digitally remastered, the 4:3 aspect ratio having excellent clarity. Stylishly packaged, this is a period piece of considerable historical and cultural importance.

In May 1913 the Romanov Dynasty celebrates its 300th anniversary at the Russian throne. The last emperor in the long line is czar Nicholas II. He rules over a country with huge social and economic differences. Russia is for the most part still an agrarian society, but capitalism and its industries are growing. In 1914 Russia gets involved in the First World War. Czar Nicholas II declares a general mobilization. A vast number of peasants and workers have to go to the front as soldiers. After three years the country is ruined by the war, and there is a shortage of provisions. In February 1917 workers begin striking in the capital, Petrograd. Their protests are soon joined by soldiers. A complete anarchy is threatening the country, when the parliament, called the duma, reorganizes the power structure by forming a new Provisional Government. At the same time the Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies forms another ruling body at the City Hall of Petrograd. In this situation czar Nicholas II sees no other possibility than to resign from his government. On the 4th of March 1917 he declares his abdication from the throne. The new Provisional Government and its war minister Kerensky continue the war. This presents an opportunity for the Bolsheviks to organize demonstrations and to persuade the workers and soldiers to overthrow the Provisional Government and seize power themselves.

Using archival news footage, Esfir Shub pieces together a chronology of Russia, from 1913 to 1917. She introduces leaders of the Duma, gentry and peasants, soldiers and sailors, the bourgeoisie, and the Czar. In May of 1913, Europe's crowned heads come to Petrograd to celebrate 300 years of Romanov rule even as most of them prepare for war. As war erupts, so does Russia: strikes in Petrograd and marches in Moscow threaten the regime. The Duma tries to survive, seeking accommodation with the Soviets. March 4, 1917, Nicholas abdicates; March 27, a mass funeral in Petrograd for those who died in the struggle to bring down the Romanovs; then, Lenin returns from exile.

This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 22 December, 2010.