"Stalin" is a sensationalized made for TV drama about the Soviet dictator. Much of the film focuses on Stalin's relationship his first wife, Nadezhda Alleluieva, which tends to dilute the more interesting plot elements. The film also tends to humanize Stalin a bit too much, trying to show his 'tender' side, as well as many of the old Bolsheviks without discussing their own crimes.
The filmmakers seem to be quite ignorant of the way many of the main characters looked and acted - strange given the tremendous access to research materials. Robert Duvall's Stalin is highly reminiscent of an Italian gangster. Lenin, played well by Schell, looks like Bozo the Clown. Bukharin is portrayed by a man who looks nothing like him whatsoever, and has more hair than Bukharin ever had. Conversely, Yezhov is depicted as quite balding and wearing a mustache - neither of which is accurate (even though the actor's eyes and height were dead on). Beria and Yagoda, by contrast, are a closer bet to the real thing. Julia Ormond does very well here.
There are various minor historical errors here and there, coupled with dramatic liberties, but this - sadly - is usual fare for a TV production.
The filmmakers seem to be quite ignorant of the way many of the main characters looked and acted - strange given the tremendous access to research materials. Robert Duvall's Stalin is highly reminiscent of an Italian gangster. Lenin, played well by Schell, looks like Bozo the Clown. Bukharin is portrayed by a man who looks nothing like him whatsoever, and has more hair than Bukharin ever had. Conversely, Yezhov is depicted as quite balding and wearing a mustache - neither of which is accurate (even though the actor's eyes and height were dead on). Beria and Yagoda, by contrast, are a closer bet to the real thing. Julia Ormond does very well here.
There are various minor historical errors here and there, coupled with dramatic liberties, but this - sadly - is usual fare for a TV production.