It was more coup than revolution—which may explain why the Russian upheaval of 1917 remains cloaked in state secrecy and Soviet-era mythology. This two-part series sheds new light on the birth of Lenin’s regime and the social and political turmoil that accompanied it. Using a vast array of recently discovered and freshly examined archival films and documents, the series explores the fundamentals of how and why the October Revolution occurred and the mechanisms that enabled the Bolsheviks to legitimize their power grab. Commentary from an impressive lineup of experts—including British scholar Robert Service, Russian historians Alexei Shishov and Alexander Neklessa, and acclaimed Lenin and Tsar Nicholas II biographer Helene Carrere d’Encausse—enriches both episodes. Not available in French-speaking Canada. 2-part series, 54 minutes each.