October (Ten Days that Shook the World)

Main Plot

"October (Ten Days that Shook the World)" is a Soviet silent film directed by Grigoriy Aleksandrov and Sergei Eisenstein, dramatizing the events of the October Revolution in 1917. The film captures the tumultuous period in Petrograd, where the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, orchestrate a coup against the Provisional Government. It begins with the fall of the Tsar and the establishment of the Provisional Government, which struggles to maintain control amidst widespread discontent. The narrative follows the strategic planning and execution of the Bolshevik uprising, highlighting key moments such as the storming of the Winter Palace. Through powerful imagery and dynamic editing, the film portrays the fervor and chaos of the revolution, emphasizing the collective struggle and the eventual triumph of the Bolsheviks. The film serves as a historical and ideological piece, celebrating the revolutionary spirit and the birth of Soviet power.

Characters

• Boris Livanov portrayed Vladimir Antonov-Ovseenko, a key Bolshevik leader who played a crucial role in the storming of the Winter Palace during the October Revolution.
• Nikolay Popov is a dedicated Bolshevik revolutionary who plays a crucial role in organizing and executing the October Revolution, helping to overthrow the provisional government.
• Vasili Nikandrov portrays Vladimir Lenin, leading the Bolshevik revolution, orchestrating the overthrow of the Provisional Government, and establishing Soviet rule in the historical drama.

Ending Explained

"October (Ten Days that Shook the World)," directed by Grigoriy Aleksandrov and Sergei Eisenstein, concludes with the dramatic and triumphant depiction of the Bolshevik Revolution's success in October 1917. The film culminates in the storming of the Winter Palace, the seat of the Provisional Government. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, orchestrate a strategic and forceful takeover, symbolizing the overthrow of the old regime and the dawn of a new socialist era. The climactic scenes are marked by intense, dynamic imagery and rapid editing, characteristic of Eisenstein's montage technique, which heightens the sense of urgency and chaos. The Provisional Government is shown as disorganized and ineffective, ultimately succumbing to the determined and unified Bolshevik forces. The film ends with the victorious Bolsheviks establishing control, signifying the beginning of Soviet rule. This conclusion underscores the revolutionary fervor and the ideological shift towards communism, encapsulating the historical significance of the October Revolution in reshaping Russian society and politics.