December 20th (1982)
A sweeping Soviet historical drama chronicling the birth of the Cheka secret police in the revolutionary winter of 1917.
December 20th - Movie Information
- Original Title: 20 декабря
- Release Year: 1982
- Directed by: Grigori Nikulin
- Type: Movie
- Genres: History, Drama, TV Movie
- Runtime: 4h 36m
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: Russian
- Production Companies: Lenfilm, Gosteleradio USSR
- Production Countries: Soviet Union
- Alternative Titles: Двадцатое декабря (SU), Двадцатое декабря (RU)
December 20th - Plot
Set in December of 1917 after the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. Lenin and the communists are making every effort to strengthen their power. Lenin appoints Felix Dzerzhinsky the Commissar for Internal Affairs and the head of the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage (CheKa). It became the predecessor of GPU and KGB.
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December 20th - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Grigori Nikulin
Main Cast
- Kirill Lavrov
- Mikhail Kozakov
- Andrei Tolubeyev
- Emmanuil Vitorgan
- Anatoliy Rudakov
- Oleg Palmov
- Sergey Pizhel
- Igor Komarov
- Lev Zhukov
- Aleksandr Parra
Writers
- Yulian Semyonov
December 20th - FAQs
What is December 20th about?
December 20th is set in the turbulent weeks following the 1917 Bolshevik revolution. Lenin works to consolidate communist power and appoints Felix Dzerzhinsky to head the Cheka — the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage — the feared secret police that would later evolve into the KGB.
Who plays Lenin and Dzerzhinsky in the film?
Kirill Lavrov takes on the role of Lenin, while Mikhail Kozakov portrays Felix Dzerzhinsky. Both are celebrated Soviet and Russian stage and screen actors, and their performances anchor this politically charged historical drama with considerable gravitas.
What was the Cheka and why does it matter?
The Cheka was the Soviet secret police established in December 1917, tasked with crushing counter-revolutionary activity. It was one of history's most feared security organs and the direct predecessor of the GPU and later the KGB, making its founding a pivotal moment in 20th-century political history.
Is December 20th based on a true story?
Yes, the film dramatizes real historical events. The founding of the Cheka on December 20, 1917 — the date that gives the film its title — and the roles of Lenin and Dzerzhinsky are grounded in documented Soviet history, though the screenplay by Yulian Semyonov shapes the narrative with dramatic license.
Who wrote the screenplay for December 20th?
The screenplay was written by Yulian Semyonov, a prolific and highly regarded Soviet author best known for creating the spy character Stirlitz. Semyonov had a particular talent for politically charged historical drama, and his script gives December 20th much of its ideological texture and narrative drive.
How long is December 20th?
December 20th runs for 276 minutes — that's about 4 hours and 36 minutes in total. Originally produced as a TV miniseries for Soviet television, its extended runtime allowed for a detailed and expansive portrayal of the early Bolshevik period and the founding of the Cheka.
Where can I watch December 20th?
Streaming availability for December 20th varies by region. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which aggregates current viewing options across platforms and countries, making it easy to find where the film is available to stream, rent, or buy near you.
What are some similar films to December 20th?
If you enjoy December 20th, you might appreciate other historically grounded TV dramas such as The School of Power (2009), American Tragedy (1981), and A Season of Giants (1990). For broader recommendations in the same vein, Iron Jawed Angels (2004) and The Scarlet and the Black (1983) are also worth exploring.
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