Historical context

The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a major political and social upheaval that took place at the beginning of the 20th century. It led to the founding of the Soviet Union, the world’s first socialist state.

Together with other revolutionaries, Vladimir Lenin played a central role in the Russian Revolution.

The Russian Civil War (1917-1923) was a multi-party conflict that developed after the Russian Revolution of 1917. This civil war was primarily fought between the Bolshevik Red Army and the anti-Bolshevik White Army, but numerous other factions were also involved, including anarchists, nationalists and foreign interventionists.

The parade in Moscow in 1920 shown in the film took place during the Russian Civil War, the violent confrontation between the Bolsheviks (communist forces) and the anti-Bolsheviks (opponents of the communist government). The parade was intended to demonstrate the power and strength of the Bolsheviks.

The parade took place on 7 November 1920 to celebrate the third anniversary of the October Revolution of 1917. The Bolsheviks used this opportunity to showcase their military might and mobilise their supporters. The parade was held on Red Square in Moscow, a highly symbolic location for political events and celebrations.