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    The Death of Stalin

    • 20172017
    • RR
    • 1h 47min
    IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    92K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,200
    105
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    The Death of Stalin (2017)
    In the days following Stalin's collapse, his core team of ministers tussle for control; some want positive change in the Soviet Union, others have more sinister motives. Their one common trait? They're all just desperately trying to remain alive.
    Trailer2:22
    4 Videos
    99+ Photos
    ComedyDramaHistory

    Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly thirty years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (Adrian McLoughlin) takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly thirty years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (Adrian McLoughlin) takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly thirty years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (Adrian McLoughlin) takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly thirty years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (Adrian McLoughlin) takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly thirty years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (Adrian McLoughlin) takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.

    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Armando Iannucci
      • David Schneider
      • Ian Martin
    • Stars
      • Steve Buscemi
      • Simon Russell Beale
      • Jeffrey Tambor
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Armando Iannucci
      • David Schneider
      • Ian Martin
    • Stars
      • Steve Buscemi
      • Simon Russell Beale
      • Jeffrey Tambor
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 379User reviews
    • 271Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 18 wins & 40 nominations total

    Videos4

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer #2
    Trailer 0:53
    Official Trailer #2
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:28
    Official Trailer
    The Death of Stalin
    Clip 0:48
    The Death of Stalin

    Photos113

    Jason Isaacs at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Armando Iannucci and Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Jason Isaacs, Armando Iannucci, Hussain Currimbhoy, Andrea Riseborough, and Christopher Willis at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Jason Isaacs, Armando Iannucci, and Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, and Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Jason Isaacs at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi, Michael Palin, Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Isaacs, Simon Russell Beale, Rupert Friend, and Andrea Riseborough in The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Isaacs, Simon Russell Beale, Adrian McLoughlin, and Andrea Riseborough in The Death of Stalin (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve Buscemi
    Steve Buscemi
    • Nikita Khrushchevas Nikita Khrushchev
    Simon Russell Beale
    Simon Russell Beale
    • Lavrenti Beriaas Lavrenti Beria
    Jeffrey Tambor
    Jeffrey Tambor
    • Georgy Malenkovas Georgy Malenkov
    Andrea Riseborough
    Andrea Riseborough
    • Svetlanaas Svetlana
    Olga Kurylenko
    Olga Kurylenko
    • Maria Veniaminovna Yudinaas Maria Veniaminovna Yudina
    Tom Brooke
    Tom Brooke
    • Sergeias Sergei
    Paddy Considine
    Paddy Considine
    • Andreyevas Andreyev
    Justin Edwards
    Justin Edwards
    • Spartak Sokolov - Conductor 1as Spartak Sokolov - Conductor 1
    Adrian McLoughlin
    Adrian McLoughlin
    • Josef Stalinas Josef Stalin
    Michael Palin
    Michael Palin
    • Vyacheslav Molotovas Vyacheslav Molotov
    Paul Ready
    Paul Ready
    • NKVD Officer Delovas NKVD Officer Delov
    Yulya Muhrygina
    • Woman in Layers of Clothesas Woman in Layers of Clothes
    Andrei Korzhenevsky
    • Man in Layers of Clothesas Man in Layers of Clothes
    • (as Andrey Korzhenevskiy)
    Roger Ashton-Griffiths
    Roger Ashton-Griffiths
    • Musician 1as Musician 1
    • (as Roger Ashton Griffiths)
    Jeremy Limb
    • Musician 2as Musician 2
    Andy Gathergood
    Andy Gathergood
    • Citizen Bundled into Caras Citizen Bundled into Car
    Alexandr Piskunov
    • Young Man Snitchas Young Man Snitch
    Ruslav Neupokoev
    • Middle Aged Manas Middle Aged Man
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Armando Iannucci
      • David Schneider
      • Ian Martin
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In early-1953 Moscow, under the Great Terror's heavy cloak of state paranoia, the ever-watchful Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, collapses, unexpectedly, of a brain haemorrhage. As a result, when someone discovers his body the following morning, a frenetic surge of raw panic starts spreading like a virus amongst the senior members of the Council of Ministers, as they scramble to maintain order, weed out the competition, and, ultimately, take power. But, in the middle of a gut-wrenching roller-coaster of incessant plotting, tireless machinations, and frail allegiances, absolutely no one is safe; not even the feared chief of the secret police, Lavrenti Beria. In the end, who will prevail after the death of Stalin? —Nick Riganas
    satiresoviet unionblack comedybased on comic bookdictator387 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Everybody wants a piece
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • History
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • rated R for language throughout, violence and some sexual references
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie was banned in Russia on January 23, 2018, two days before it was due to be released. The Cultural Ministry stated, "The distribution certificate for the film The Death of Stalin has been withdrawn." One member of the Culture Ministry's advisory board was quoted as saying, "The film desecrates our historical symbols - the Soviet hymn, orders and medals, and Marshal Zhukov is portrayed as an idiot", and added that this movie's release in advance of the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Battle of Stalingrad (February 2nd), would be "an affront to Russia's World War II veterans."
    • Goofs
      Malenkov did not become General Secretary of the Communist Party when Stalin died. He did, however, become Premier of the Soviet Union. The Soviet leadership was clearly in flux, and Malenkov never had the status of obvious successor to Stalin that the movie implies. He did not chair the Politburo meeting after Stalin died; Khrushchev did.
    • Quotes

      Nikita Khrushchev: I really need your help.

      Georgy Zhukov: To do what? There's bodies fucking piling up in the street, it's a bit late, isn't it?

      Nikita Khrushchev: What if we blame this on someone...

      Georgy Zhukov: Wait...

      Nikita Khrushchev: Who's out of control?

      Georgy Zhukov: Nicky, be very careful what you say next. Who?

      Nikita Khrushchev: Beria.

      Georgy Zhukov: I'm going to have to report this conversation. Threatening to do harm or obstruct any member of the Presidium in the process of...

      [grins]

      Georgy Zhukov: Look at your fucking face!

      [bursts out laughing]

    • Crazy credits
      Black-and-white photographs of the main characters appear over the end credits, but various figures are airbrushed out, have their faces defaced, or have other people superimposed over them, as per Soviet photos of Trotsky and purge victims.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Last Leg: Episode #13.3 (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K488
      Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Performed by Galaxy Symphonic Orchestra

    User reviews379

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Funny, scary, dark, take from it what you will!
    The Death of Stalin is one of those films you will either love or just not get at all. Being someone with a big interest in Politics, and an interest in the events of the Soviet Union this was always going to be must watch.

    The material itself is almost frightening, some pretty horrific real life events happening, but performed in a way that you can't help but laugh at, albeit sometimes with a little dread.

    Superbly written as you'd expect by Armando Iannucci, if anyone knows political satire it's him! Steve Buscemi and Simon Russell Beale shine particularly.

    It's one of those films I want to see again. 9/10
    helpful•127
    53
    • Sleepin_Dragon
    • Oct 26, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 9, 2018 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • Belgium
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Germany)
      • Official website (au)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Смерть Сталіна
    • Filming locations
      • Olesya Honchara 45b, Kyiv, Ukraine
    • Production companies
      • Quad Productions
      • Main Journey
      • Gaumont
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,047,856
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $184,805
      • Mar 11, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $24,646,055
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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