A Soviet cinematic icon: the 1939 drama that defined a revolutionary leader's image
In short: Released in 1939, Lenin in 1918 offers a dramatized look at the Russian Civil War. It depicts the Soviet leader navigating famine, political conspiracies, and a near-fatal assassination attempt. The production was marked by the intense dedication of lead actor Boris Shchukin, who died shortly after the film's completion.
Directed by Mikhail Romm, with co-directors E. Aron and I. Simkov, the film serves as a biographical drama set against the backdrop of the Russian Civil War. The narrative focuses on 1918 Moscow, a period defined by widespread devastation and famine. Within the Kremlin, the Soviet government, led by Lenin and Stalin, attempts to stabilize the nation. The script, penned by Aleksei Kapler and Taisiya Zlatogorova, balances these high-stakes political maneuvers with more intimate moments, such as Lenin’s meeting with a wealthy peasant from the Tambov Governorate.
The plot intensifies as a counter-revolutionary conspiracy emerges, led by figures like Konstantinov. While Kremlin commandant Matveyev uncovers the plot, the conspirators evade capture and orchestrate an attack on Lenin during a speech at the Michelson Factory. Fanny Kaplan is depicted firing the shot that wounds him. The film follows his subsequent recovery and return to leadership, emphasizing the resilience of the Soviet state during its most precarious moments. The cast included Nikolay Okhlopkov as Lenin's bodyguard Vasily and Nikolai Plotnikov as the Tambov kulak.
The production process was notably rigorous. Shooting began on 10 August 1938 and spanned eighty-seven days. Boris Shchukin, who portrayed Lenin, famously conducted extensive research to embody the role, despite never having met the leader in person. Shchukin suffered from poor health throughout the filming process and passed away exactly six months after his performance. The film’s legacy extended far beyond the Soviet Union; during China's Cultural Revolution, it was one of only two Soviet feature films permitted for repeated public screening, cementing its status as a significant piece of political cinema.
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