A four part epic that presents the Soviet version of wartime events between 1943 and 1945. A propaganda film in both form and content, the movie strongly emphasizes the roles and meaning of figures who later become state leaders in the socialist block.
The plot begins with surrender of field marshal von Paulus’ armies which are surrounded under Stalingrad. The secretary of the Central Committee of the German Communist Party Wilhelm Pieck attempts to convince Paulus the best way out is to overthrow Hitler and end fascism. He fails. Communist leaders meet in Moscow. The victory at Stalingrad establishes good conditions for tightening bonds between the states and creating a common anti-fascist front. The Polish underground government is skeptical. General Sikorski dies in an accident over Gibraltar. Churchill presents to Roosevelt plans to open a second front in the Balkans. Repressions in occupied Poland intensify. The National Council (KRN) is established under the leadership of Bolesław Bierut. The People’s Army is created. Freedom fighters become active in Bulgaria. The Germans are preparing a big offensive against Tito’s staff. Soviet troops enter Poland. They enter Lublin greeted by Poles. The PKWN manifesto is announced. Mikołajczyk sends a wire that the people need to rise up and fight. The Warsaw Uprising doesn’t stand a chance. In Romania the anti-fascist revolution begins. Similar events take place in Bulgaria. After the liberation of Budapest and Vienna and storming Berlin, the Red Army moves to save Prague. The film ends with Brezhnev’s motto – communism is life without war and slavery, it’s all men being equal.
