AllMovie

This program is part of a series, narrated by actor Peter Ustinov, which explores the colorful history of Russia. In this episode, Ustinov, whose own heritage includes Russian ancestors, examines the political history of his native land. The nation saw the death of the monarchy and the rise of Communism and totalitarian leadership. Archival footage, photographs, journalistic accounts, and personal recollections are used to illustrate the story. The actor reads from the works of Dostoyevsky, in which the author portrayed Russia's turbulent history. Ustinov travels to Siberia to see the infamous labor camps reserved for dissidents.