fiction / 1927 / Soviet Union / bw / 95 min.
A historical drama mapping the October revolution from the perspective of Bolsheviks, based on the reportorial book by American journalist John Reed. – A temporary government is being established in a turbulent atmosphere, as the monarchy has just been overthrown. Parlor leftists are in session in Saint Petersburg. Lenin is rousing the crowds against the new establishment in an armored vehicle. The bourgeoisie are getting even with the workers and fights break out. The counterrevolution is defeated, but the revolutionary proletariat is yet to drop the weapons. At a public session, Lenin proclaims an armed revolt and the Red Guards and the workers have the Winter Palace surrounded, while the desperate government is still in session. The Bolshevik presidium proclaims power, peace and land, but Palace Square responds with gunfire. Tension intensifies...
Director: Grigoriy Aleksandrov, Sergei Eisenstein
Screenplay: Sergei Eisenstein, Grigoriy Aleksandrov
Photography: Eduard Tisse
Editor: Esfir Tobak
Music: Edmund Meisel, Dmitri Shostakovich
Cast: Nikolay Popov, Vasili Nikandrov, Eduard Tisse, Boris Livanov