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Dimitri Shostakovich, Russian composer, was the most decorated Soviet civilian. He survived the Russian Revolution and World War II and wrote symphonies and operas of great acclaim. He was publicly denounced and humiliated by Stalin for his opera “Lady Macbeth” yet managed to survive the pressures and the purges. This dramatised account of Shostakovich’s life and times, based on his memoirs, is filled with rich images and is superbly played by Ben Kingsley with Terence Rigby as Stalin. Also stars John Shrapnel and Liza Goddard. Shostakovich’s music is played by The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Rudolf Barshai.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
304685
Language
English
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Soviet Union - Politics and government
Feature films → Feature films - Great Britain
History → Soviet Union - History
History → Stalin, Joseph, 1879-1953
Literature → Russian literature - Film and video adaptations
Music & Performing Arts → Composers - Soviet Union
Music & Performing Arts → Shostakovich, Dimitri Dmitrievich, 1906-1975
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)