Lenin in 1918

Plot

Lenin in 1918 follows Vladimir Lenin during the critical period following the October Revolution, depicting his leadership during the tumultuous first years of Soviet power. The film portrays Lenin's struggles against internal and external enemies, including counter-revolutionary forces, foreign intervention, and economic collapse. Key events include Lenin's survival of an assassination attempt by Fanny Kaplan, his implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP), and his efforts to build the new socialist state despite overwhelming challenges. The narrative shows Lenin's relationships with other revolutionary leaders like Stalin, Sverdlov, and Dzerzhinsky as they work to consolidate power and defend the revolution. The film culminates with Lenin's declining health but unwavering commitment to the revolutionary cause, emphasizing his role as the guiding force behind the young Soviet state.

Historical Background

Lenin in 1918 was produced during a critical period in Soviet history, just before the outbreak of World War II and during the height of Stalin's totalitarian regime. The film served as powerful propaganda, reinforcing the legitimacy of Soviet power by glorifying its founding father. At the time of production, the Great Purge was still ongoing, and many old Bolsheviks had been executed or imprisoned. The film's release coincided with the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a controversial non-aggression treaty with Nazi Germany. The film was part of Stalin's efforts to create a cult of personality around Lenin while simultaneously building his own. The portrayal of Lenin as an infallible leader helped justify Stalin's policies as continuation of Lenin's vision. The film's emphasis on defending the revolution against external threats resonated with the growing international tensions of the late 1930s.

Making Of

The production of Lenin in 1918 occurred during one of the most politically sensitive periods in Soviet history. Director Mikhail Romm faced immense pressure to create a historically accurate yet ideologically sound portrayal of Lenin's leadership. Boris Shchukin prepared extensively for his role, studying Lenin's speeches, mannerisms, and writings, even meeting with people who had known the revolutionary leader personally. The film's script went through numerous revisions to satisfy Soviet cultural authorities. The assassination attempt sequence was particularly challenging to film, requiring special effects and careful choreography to recreate the dramatic event. The production team built elaborate sets to recreate 1918 Moscow, including the Kremlin and other revolutionary landmarks. Many scenes were filmed at night to achieve the desired atmospheric effect of a nation in crisis.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Boris Volchek employed dramatic lighting techniques to create a sense of historical gravitas and revolutionary urgency. The film used high-contrast black and white photography to emphasize the moral clarity of the revolutionary struggle. Camera movements were carefully controlled to create a sense of historical authenticity while maintaining dramatic tension. The assassination attempt sequence used innovative camera angles and editing techniques to heighten the drama. Interior scenes often used low-key lighting to create intimate moments with Lenin, while crowd scenes employed wide shots to emphasize the mass nature of the revolution. The cinematography balanced documentary-style realism with dramatic composition, creating images that were both historically credible and emotionally powerful.

Innovations

Lenin in 1918 showcased several technical innovations for Soviet cinema of its era. The film employed advanced sound recording techniques to capture dialogue in large crowd scenes while maintaining clarity. The special effects used for the assassination attempt sequence were particularly sophisticated for the time. The production created detailed recreations of 1918 Moscow using innovative set design and matte painting techniques. The film's editing style combined rapid cutting during action sequences with longer takes during dramatic moments, creating a varied rhythm that enhanced storytelling. The makeup department developed new techniques for aging actors to show the passage of time. The film's sound design used layered audio to create the impression of massive crowds and revolutionary upheaval.

Music

The musical score was composed by Nikolai Kryukov, who created a powerful orchestral soundtrack that blended revolutionary songs with original compositions. The music emphasized the heroic nature of Lenin's leadership while underscoring the dramatic tension of the revolutionary period. The soundtrack incorporated authentic revolutionary melodies that would have been familiar to Soviet audiences. The score used leitmotifs to represent different characters and political forces, with Lenin's theme being particularly prominent. The music swelled during key revolutionary moments and became more intimate during scenes of Lenin's personal struggles. The soundtrack was recorded with the full resources of the Soviet state music system, creating a rich, orchestral sound that matched the film's epic scope.

Memorable Scenes

• The assassination attempt on Lenin outside the Kremlin, showing his calm response despite being wounded
• Lenin's passionate speech to the Soviet Congress defending the New Economic Policy
• The emotional farewell scene between Lenin and Stalin as Lenin's health fails
• The victory celebration in Red Square following the defeat of counter-revolutionary forces
• Lenin working late into the night on policy documents while the revolution hangs in balance

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised the film as a masterpiece of historical-revolutionary cinema, with particular acclaim for Boris Shchukin's performance and Mikhail Romm's direction. Pravda and other official newspapers hailed it as an important contribution to socialist realism in cinema. International critics at the Venice Film Festival noted the film's technical achievements and powerful performances, though some questioned its historical perspective. Modern film scholars recognize Lenin in 1918 as a significant work of propaganda cinema, acknowledging both its artistic merits and its role in Soviet political culture. Western critics often analyze it as an example of how cinema can be used to shape historical memory and political ideology. The film is studied in film schools as a classic example of Soviet cinema's golden age.

What Audiences Thought

Lenin in 1918 was enormously popular with Soviet audiences upon its release, drawing millions of viewers across the USSR. Many viewers who had lived through the revolutionary period found the film emotionally powerful and historically resonant. The film became required viewing in schools and was regularly shown on Soviet television, particularly around revolutionary holidays. Audiences responded strongly to Shchukin's performance, with many feeling it captured the essence of Lenin's personality and leadership. The film's depiction of the revolution's struggles and triumphs reinforced Soviet citizens' pride in their history and political system. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, the film retained nostalgic value for older generations who grew up with it as part of their cultural education.

You Might Also Like