Films about the Russian Revolution explore the social and political upheaval that took place in Russia during the early 20th century, leading to the fall of the Romanov dynasty and the rise of the Soviet Union. This tumultuous period included the February Revolution of 1917, which ousted the monarchy, and the October (Bolshevik) Revolution, which brought the Bolsheviks to power. The chaos, passionate ideologies, and significant historical figures of the Russian Revolution provide a rich backdrop for dramatic storytelling. Here are several films that delve into this revolutionary era:
“Doctor Zhivago”, 2002
Director: Giacomo Campiotti
Directed by David Lean, this sweeping epic is based on the Boris Pasternak novel of the same name. The film follows the life of a physician and poet, Yuri Zhivago, as he experiences both personal and political turmoil during World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the subsequent Civil War.
Starring: Hans Matheson, Keira Knightley, Sam Neill, Kris Marshall, Alexandra Maria Lara, Bill Paterson, Celia Imrie, Anne-Marie Duff, Maryam d'Abo, Hugh Bonneville;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Doctor Zhivago” on the website imdb.com
“Reds”, 1981
Director: Warren Beatty
Directed by Warren Beatty, who also stars in the film, “Reds” tells the true story of John Reed, an American journalist and communist who witnessed the Russian Revolution firsthand. The film explores Reed’s love affair with writer Louise Bryant and his eventual writing of “Ten Days That Shook the World,” a firsthand account of the 1917 revolution.
Starring: Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Edward Herrmann, Jerzy Kosinski, Jack Nicholson, Paul Sorvino, Maureen Stapleton, Nicolas Coster, M. Emmet Walsh, Ian Wolfe;
Production year: 1981;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 195 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Reds” on the website imdb.com
“Nicholas and Alexandra”, 1971
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
This historical drama, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, focuses on the last Russian monarch, Tsar Nicholas II, and his wife, Tsarina Alexandra, as they struggle to maintain their rule during the turbulent times of World War I and the onset of the Russian Revolution.
Starring: Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman, Roderic Noble, Ania Marson, Lynne Frederick, Candace Glendenning, Fiona Fullerton, Harry Andrews, Irene Worth, Tom Baker;
Production year: 1971;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 183 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Nicholas and Alexandra” on the website imdb.com
“The Russian Revolution”, 2017
Director: Cal Seville
A documentary film directed by Cal Seville, this feature uses archival footage and expert commentary to tell the story of the Russian Revolution, from the reign of the last tsar to the rise of Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
Starring: Daniel Beer, Helen Rappaport, Donald Rayfield, Victor Sebestyen, Frances Welch, Jonathan Kydd, Emperor Aleksandr III, Czarina Maria Fyodorovna, Emperor Meiji, Tsuda Sanzo;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: documentary, history;
Duration: 47 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “The Russian Revolution” on the website imdb.com
“Anastasia”, 1997
Director: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman
While not directly about the revolution, this film, directed by Anatole Litvak, deals with its aftermath. It stars Ingrid Bergman as a woman who could be the surviving daughter of the last Tsar, Anastasia Romanov, who purportedly escaped the execution that befell the rest of her family.
Starring: Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd, Hank Azaria, Bernadette Peters, Kirsten Dunst, Angela Lansbury, Rick Jones, Andrea Martin;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, drama, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Anastasia” on the website imdb.com
Please note that filmmaking continually evolves, and new films about the Russian Revolution could emerge after my knowledge cutoff date. These are some of the more notable historical dramas and documentaries that capture various aspects of Russia’s revolutionary period.
In conclusion, films about the Russian Revolution offer a cinematic window into one of the most tumultuous periods of the 20th century. These films range from Soviet propaganda pieces to critical historical dramas, capturing the fervor, strife, and ideology that propelled a society into seismic change. Whether they take a sympathetic stance on the Bolsheviks' cause or scrutinize the human cost of such a sweeping upheaval, these narratives weave stories of individuals caught in the torrents of history. They challenge viewers to reflect on the complex interplay of political ambition, social justice, and the very personal consequences of revolution. Through powerful imagery, compelling characterizations, and evocative storytelling, the genre invites audiences to grapple with the legacies of these historical events, their impact on national identity, and their enduring influence on the world stage.