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Yakov Sverdlov (film)

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Yakov Sverdlov
Movie image of Yakov Sverdlov played by Leonid Lyubashevsky
Russian: Яков Свердлов
Directed bySergei Yutkevich
Written by
Starring
CinematographyIosif Martov
Music byDavid Blok
CountrySoviet Union

Yakov Sverdlov, (Russian: Яков Свердлов) is a 1940 Soviet biographical drama film directed by Sergei Yutkevich.[1][2][3]

The film tells about the life and work of the Chairman of the Central Executive Committee Yakov Sverdlov.[4]

Plot

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The film depicts the life and activities of Yakov Mikhailovich Sverdlov (1885–1919), the second chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (VTsIK).

In 1902, young Yakov Sverdlov, while at an antiquarian shop at the Nizhny Novgorod Fair, finds a printing press for an underground printing house. Maxim Gorky helps him raise money to purchase it. In the underground movement, Sverdlov’s organizational talent grows stronger.

In 1905, Sverdlov conducts extensive agitation among the Ural workers, urging them to rise up against Tsarism. His sincerity, simplicity, and attentiveness to the common people make him a welcome guest in any worker's home. The son of a worker, Lyonka Sukhov, maintains a lifelong affection for him. Tsarist authorities track Sverdlov down and imprison him, but even in prison, he continues to resist. In response to the prison administration's repression, Sverdlov initiates a hunger strike among the prisoners. Sverdlov is eventually exiled to Siberia.

In 1917, Lenin and Sverdlov are in Petrograd. From the podium of the Constituent Assembly, Sverdlov dismisses the Socialist Revolutionary orator and announces the first decrees of Soviet power. As chairman of the VTsIK, Sverdlov travels to Nizhny Novgorod, where enemies masquerading as allies under the leadership of the Trotskyist Mironov are causing trouble. Sverdlov’s sharp speech, which exposes the traitors, clears up the confusion among the deceived workers and helps the party organization defeat the Trotskyists. Mironov is eventually sent to the front, where he treacherously shoots Sverdlov’s friend, worker Trofimov. Although severely ill, Sverdlov prepares for the 8th Party Congress. Lenin visits him despite his sickness. Until the last moment, Sverdlov remains the chairman. At the 8th Party Congress, Lenin delivers a speech in his memory.

Starring

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References

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