The Hand of Stalin

Documentary

2 x 58 mins, 1990
Watch Episode 1 For Free »
Watch Episode 2 For Free »

Leningradskaya – A Village in Southern Russia and Leningrad – the opening two films of the trilogy use first person accounts to reveal the tragic details of the famine and political persecution suffered under Stalin’s regime. (October Films, PTV Productions, BBC broadcast)

Awards/Nominations

Gemini Award – Best Documentary Director
Earth Peace International Film Festival – Special Merit Award
Royal Television Society Nomination – Best Series
British Press Guild Nominatioin – Best Series
Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television Nomination – Best Series
Gemeaux nominations – Best Documentary, Best Director of Photography in all categories

Credits: Episode 1

Director: John Walker
Cinematographer: John Walker, csc
Editor: Steve Stevenson
Sound: John Martin
Series Producer: Tom Roberts
Associate Producer: Angus Macqueen
Executive Producer: Bill Nemtin
Production Company: PTV Productions/October Films for BBC Television

Credits: Episode 2

Director: John Walker
Cinematographer: John Walker, csc
Editors: Peter Lindley, Simon Price
Sound: John Martin
Music: Ilona Sekacz
Series Producer: Tom Roberts
Producer: Angus Macqueen
Executive Producer: Bill Nemtin
Production Company: PTV Productions/October Films for BBC Television

The Toronto Star on The Hand of Stalin

/ The Toronto Star

"Nothing so powerfully demonstrates the thesis of “the banality of evil” as the British-made mini series The Hand of Stalin."

London's Daily Mail on The Hand of Stalin

/ London's Daily Mail

"The Hand of Stalin is oral history at its most devastating."

Broadcast UK on The Hand of Stalin

/ Broadcast UK

"John Walker’s evocative opening film about the effects of collectivization in the village of Leningradskya was a masterpiece."

The Sunday Correspondent on The Hand of Stalin

/ The Sunday Correspondent

"John Walker’s extraordinary direction, visually stunning in its portrayal of landscape, concentrating in its depiction of human grief on the still faces of individuals, told more than words. And these, God help them, are the survivors. The lucky ones."