Life of Dimitrov

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Description: Film biography of Georgi Dimitrov and the coming of the Communists to power in Bulgaria.
Duration: 62 mins 30 secs
Year: 1960
Subjects: Bulgaria, Political leadership, Political history, Revolutionary movements, Communism, Resistance to oppression, Political prisoners, Nazism, Marxism, Heads of state
Segment 1: Bulgaria. Description of Dimitrov's early family life. Photographs of family members. At 12, Dimitrov begins work in a printing shop and begins reading socialist writing. He decides at a young age to fight for the cause of the working class. Photograph of a young Dimitrov as member of the Organised Printer Workers. He studies Engels and Marx. When he is 18 he becomes the leader of the organisation. In 1902 he becomes a member of the Bulgarian Workers Social Democratic Party and declares that the working class can win emancipation by revolution. Photographs of Dimitrov as his status rises. 1905 reconstructed and feature footage of attempted Revolution in Russia. Dimitrov leads strike in mining factory. The strike movement spreads across Bulgaria. A regional letter reporting on the strike from his wife, Luba, a poet and tailor. Description of Luba's support of Dimitrov. Dimitrov rises through the ranks until he becomes a Member of Parliament in 1912. Dimitrov's imprisonment and copies of letters and telegrams sent to government offices by Dimitrov's supporters. Dimitrov's activities outside of Bulgaria. Archive footage of World War One. Dimitrov declares a socialist war on war and campaigns for peace. October 1917: Lenin speaking, protest in Russia, scenes representing the Revolution. World War I; Bulgarian soldiers leave the front. Battle scenes: massacre of Bulgarian soldiers by German soldiers and military cadets of King Ferdinand. Dimitrov and others lead strikes on a massive scale with the involvement of the Bulgarian proletariat. The Socialists change their name to the Bulgarian Communist Party and together with the Bolsheviks becomes member of the Third Communist International.
Segment 2: 1921. Dimitrov visits Moscow as a delegate to the third Conference. Lenin. Dimitrov presents Lenin with a Bulgarian-French dictionary. Archive footage and photographs of Lenin's funeral where Dimitrov was one of the first mourners. In Bulgaria, the Communist party comes under attack. Dimitrov resolutely follows a united front between workers and peasants in allegiance to the new party line. September 1923, Dimitrov and others form the military committee of the first anti fascist rebellion in Europe. Dimitrov becomes a refugee in Vienna and there worked for the liberation of the people in Bulgaria. Places in Vienna frequented by Dimitrov. Rise of Fascism in Germany. Ernst Thaelmann. Hindenburg concedes power to Hitler. Marching SS troopers. Burning of books. Hitler giving speech. Goering. Kristallnacht. Atrocities against Jews, burning of the Reichstag. Newspaper articles, Hitler, Heydrich and Goebbels calling for imprisonment of Communists. 27 February 1933, Dimitrov reads news of events on way to Berlin. Dimitrov and German Communists check on each other through daily calls. Dimitrov and others are arrested by Nazis and accused of causing Reichstag fire.
Segment 3: 21 September 1933. Dimitrov is brought in front of Imperial Court. Photographs of the trial. Dimitrov's mother attends the trial. Photographs of the trial run over a spoken transcript of the trial. Newspaper articles from around the world support Dimitrov. A counter-trial takes place in London, led by Dennis Pritt. Protests all over the world take place calling for the release of Dimitrov. Bulgarians support Dimitrov. Images from Bulgarian publications. Goering comes forward as a witness transferring the trial to Berlin. Sound recording of trial over photographs taken. The German communist party survives by publishing under pseudonyms and innocent headings. Atrocities against Communists who distributed leaflets at the time of Dimitrov's trial. Film of trial. Dimitrov speaks in his own defence. He speaks against European fascism and in support of the Communists and the people of Bulgaria. Dimitrov acquitted. Hitler and other leaders meet to discuss the best method of handling Dimitrov including sending him to a concentration camp. Letters to Himmler and Hess in regards to the future of Dimitrov. Dimitrov writes to Bulgaria asking for a return to his own country, but it is to the USSR that he shall go on 27 February 1934. Huge crowds gather in Moscow to welcome Dimitrov. Dimitrov address to the USSR on film (translation provided). He calls for the crushing of fascism and declares the importance of Moscow. Dimitrov welcomed by Soviets and meets with his family. Children write to Dimitrov. Scenes in Moscow. Marching army. Parades by children.
Segment 4: A new line of Policy; the People's Front across Europe to fight fascism. The People's Front wins victory in Spain and is supported by anti-fascist across Europe. Fascist victory ends Spanish Civil War and 22 June 1941 sees attack by Nazis on the Soviet Union. Civilian victims of war: film and photographs. Dimitrov loses his own son. Hitler meets with Bulgarian president. Dimitrov calls on the Bulgarian people to save their country. Soviet victory at the Battle of Stalingrad and Bulgarians and Soviets join forces to liberate Bulgaria. 9 September 1944, liberation of Bulgaria. 9 May 1945, Communist flag is flown over the Reichstag. Nuremberg trials. Anti-fascist sentiments in post-war Germany. Dimitrov returns to Bulgaria and addresses nation. Cheering crowds. Rebuilding of Bulgaria. Dimitrov in political campaigns, meeting the people. People celebrating. Dimitrov elected Prime Minister of the first democratic constitution. Paris Conference guarantees peace and solidarity for Bulgaria within the Eastern Block. Dimitrov visits these and other countries.
Segment 5: Fifth Congress of the Party. Dimitrov addresses conference describing the difficult but essential future path of Bulgaria. Workers unite to rebuild Bulgaria and develop industry. Dimitrov visits people across Bulgaria including public and political ministers. Dimitrov struck with illness. Death of Dimitrov. Funeral procession. Crowds line procession. Memorials to Dimitrov.
Persistent URL: http://edina.ac.uk/purl/isan/0002-0000-0053-0000-0-0000-0000-0
Written and compiled by the British Universities Film & Video Council © BUFVC 2005
Subject classification by University of Edinburgh Library © 2006