Episodes
Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
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01 | Krymov And Zhenya - Lovers Once | 20110919 | Life and Fate: Krymov and Zhenya - Lovers Once by Vasily Grossman October 1942. Evacuated from Moscow to Kuibyshev before the invading German army, the beautiful Yevgenia (Zhenya), Lyuda's sister, is alone. While she tackles Soviet bureaucracy for the residence permit she needs for food, her ex-husband, the Commissar Nikolai Krymov, is posted into the heart of the battle for Stalingrad, hundreds of miles away. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson Nikolai Krymov - David Tennant Zhenya Shaposhnikova - Raquel Cassidy Jenni - Eleanor Bron General Rodimtsev - Bruce Alexander Major Byerozkin - Sam Dale District Inspector Grishin - Peter Polycarpou Limonov - Adrian Scarborough Seryozha Shaposhnikov - Freddie Fox With Elaine Claxton, James Lailey, Gerard Mcdermott, Simon Bubb, Alun Raglan, Jonathan Forbes, Carl Prekopp, and Katie Angelou. Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directed by Jonquil Panting Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate that fills every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, this huge novel charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested. Grossman died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Soviet Russia, 1942. Krymov and Zhenya cannot forget each other despite being miles apart. |
02 | Journey | 20110920 | Life and Fate: Journey By Vasily Grossman Sofya, a Jewish doctor, is taken prisoner in Stalingrad and put on a cattle-truck going west to Poland. A German SS officer, Liss, oversees the building of the gas chambers and entertains Eichmann on an inspection tour. Liss is convinced that the Nazi and Soviet systems are more similar than their followers like to think. Dramatised for radio by Mike Walker Sofya Levinton - Sara Kestelman Liss - Samuel West Eichmann - John Sessions Mostovskoy - Peter Marinker David - Laurence Belcher Musya - Christine Kavanagh Lyusia....Deeivya Meir Khmelkov....Henry Devas With Adeel Akhtar, Sean Baker, Sam Dale and Sally Orrock Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi, Samuel West, John Sessions and Harriet Walter star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman. This epic saga takes over every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate is a sweeping historical tale that charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested and Grossman was told that it would not be published for at least 200 years. He died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Jewish doctor Sofya is taken prisoner in Stalingrad and put on a cattle truck to Poland. |
03 | Building 6 - 1 - Those Who Were Still Alive | 20110921 | Life and Fate: Building 6/1 - Those Who Were Still Alive by Vasily Grossman Late October 1942. Building 6/1 is a former apartment building in the centre of Stalingrad, being held by a rag-tag band of Russian soldiers against all the odds, in the teeth of the German advance. Soon the building, and its charismatic Commander, Captain Grekov, are a legend across Russia. But inside the building, Commissar Krymov has arrived to tackle what appears to be subversion, while the radio operator, Katya, falls in love with his nephew, Seryozha. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson Captain Grekov - Joseph Millson Commissar Krymov - David Tennant Vasya - Stephen Hogan Katya - Katie Angelou Lyakhov - Carl Prekopp Polyakov - Peter Polycarpou Seryozha Shaposhnikov - Freddie Fox Batrakov - James Lailey Zubarev - Gerard McDermott Bunchuk - Jonathan Forbes Directed by Jonquil Panting Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate, an epic saga that fills every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, this huge novel charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested. Grossman died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Next today: Life and Fate: Abarchuk [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: Lieutenant Peter Bach [link] Life and Fate: Novikov's Story [link]. Commissar Krymov is sent to tackle dissent in Stalingrad's 'rat-war' frontline battle. |
04 | Novikov's Story | 20110922 | Life and Fate: Novikov's Story By Vasily Grossman November, 1942. Novikov, a tank commander, prepares his troops for Operation Uranus, the campaign which is to be the turning point in the Battle of Stalingrad. On his way to the front, he visits Zhenya, his lover, in Kuibyshev. He dreams of marrying her but she is still torn between him and Krymov. She tells an anecdote about Krymov and Trotsky, a slip of the tongue that leads to betrayal. Dramatised for radio by Mike Walker Pyotr Pavlovich Novikov - Don Gilet Getmanov - Philip Jackson Nyeudobnov - Peter Wight Zhenya Shaposhnikova - Raquel Cassidy Nicky - Simon Bubb Vershkov - Stuart Mcloughlin Galina Terentyevna - Jane Whittenshaw Mashuk - Peter Polycarpou Zhakharov - Sean Baker With Jonathan Forbes, James Lailey, Daniel Rabin and Alun Raglan Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directed by Alison Hindell and Jonquil Panting. Produced by Alison Hindell. Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate, an epic saga that fills every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, this huge novel charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested. Grossman died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Next today: Life and Fate: Abarchuk [link Tomorrow: Life and Fate: A Hero of the Soviet Union [link] Life and Fate: Krymov in Moscow [link]. Novikov, a tank commander, prepares his troops for Operation Uranus, a critical campaign. She tells an aneLittle Lifetimes By Jenny Eclair |
05 LAST | Krymov In Moscow | 20110923 | Life and Fate: Krymov in Moscow by Vasily Grossman Moscow, Winter 1942. Commissar Nikolai Krymov has been denounced and arrested. He is taken to the dreaded Lubyanka prison in Moscow: a place where, in the past, he has denounced others. Meanwhile his ex-wife Zhenya arrives in Moscow, to stay with Viktor and Lyuda, and to face the consequences of her actions. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson. Commissar Nikolai Krymov - David Tennant Viktor Shtrum - Kenneth Branagh Lyuda Shaposhnikova - Greta Scacchi Zhenya Shaposhnikova - Raquel Cassidy Marya Sokolova - Harriet Walter Nadya - Ellie Kendrick Katsenelenbogen - Ewan Bailey NKVD Interrogator - Elliot Levey With Simon Bubb, Elaine Claxton, Jonathan Forbes, James Lailey, Gerard McDermott, Chris Pavlo, Peter Polycarpou, Carl Prekopp, Alun Raglan and Susie Riddell Directed by Alison Hindell and Jonquil Panting Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate, an epic saga that fills every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, this huge novel charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested. Grossman died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Next today: Life and Fate: A Hero of the Soviet Union [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: Fortress Stalingrad [link], Life and Fate: Viktor and Lyuda [link]. David Tennant stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. |
Fortress Stalingrad | 20110924 | By Vasily Grossman As the Russian tanks encircle Stalingrad, the commanders of the German 6th Army realise that the end is in sight but Hitler will not permit a surrender. Spiridonov abandons the power station to join his daughter, Vera, and her new baby on a barge frozen into the Volga. As the citizens of Stalingrad start to reclaim their wrecked city, the family begin to make plans for the future. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson Stepan Spiridonov - Kenneth Cranham Vera Spiridonova - Morven Christie Pavel Andreyev - Malcolm Tierney General Von Paulus - Matthew Marsh General Schmidt - Elliot Cowan Colonel Adam - Jonathan Cullen Lieutenant Peter Bach - Geoffrey Streatfeild Sergeant Eisenaug - Michael Shelford Zina - Jessica Raine Major Byerozkin - Sam Dale Alexandra Vladimirovna - Ann Mitchell Natalya - Alison Pettit Sergeyevna - Christine Kavanagh Hitler's Orderly - David Seddon Stalin's secretary - Tony Bell Petenkoffer - Lloyd Thomas Driver - Jude Akuwudike Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested. Grossman died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Next programme: Life and Fate: Viktor and Lyuda [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: Viktor and the Academy [link]. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of a family torn apart by war in Soviet Russia. | |
Life And Fate: Fortress Stalingrad | 20110924 | By Vasily Grossman As the Russian tanks encircle Stalingrad, the commanders of the German 6th Army realise that the end is in sight but Hitler will not permit a surrender. Spiridonov abandons the power station to join his daughter, Vera, and her new baby on a barge frozen into the Volga. As the citizens of Stalingrad start to reclaim their wrecked city, the family begin to make plans for the future. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson Stepan Spiridonov....Kenneth Cranham Vera Spiridonova....Morven Christie Pavel Andreyev....Malcolm Tierney General Von Paulus....Matthew Marsh General Schmidt....Elliot Cowan Colonel Adam....Jonathan Cullen Lieutenant Peter Bach....Geoffrey Streatfeild Sergeant Eisenaug....Michael Shelford Zina....Jessica Raine Major Byerozkin....Sam Dale Alexandra Vladimirovna....Ann Mitchell Natalya....Alison Pettit Sergeyevna....Christine Kavanagh Hitler's Orderly....David Seddon Stalin's secretary....Tony Bell Petenkoffer....Lloyd Thomas Driver....Jude Akuwudike Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested. Grossman died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Next programme: Life and Fate: Viktor and Lyuda [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: Viktor and the Academy [link]. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of a family torn apart by war in Soviet Russia. | |
Life And Fate: Fortress Stalingrad | 20110924 | Life and Fate: Fortress Stalingrad By Vasily Grossman As the Russian tanks encircle Stalingrad, the commanders of the German 6th Army realise that the end is in sight but Hitler will not permit a surrender. Spiridonov abandons the power station to join his daughter, Vera, and her new baby on a barge frozen into the Volga. As the citizens of Stalingrad start to reclaim their wrecked city, the family begin to make plans for the future. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson Stepan Spiridonov.... Kenneth Cranham Vera Spiridonova.... Morven Christie Pavel Andreyev.... Malcolm Tierney General Von Paulus.... Matthew Marsh General Schmidt.... Elliot Cowan Colonel Adam.... Jonathan Cullen Lieutenant Peter Bach.... Geoffrey Streatfeild Sergeant Eisenaug.... Michael Shelford Zina.... Jessica Raine Major Byerozkin.... Sam Dale Alexandra Vladimirovna.... Ann Mitchell Natalya.... Alison Pettit Sergeyevna.... Christine Kavanagh Hitler's Orderly.... David Seddon Stalin's secretary.... Tony Bell Petenkoffer.... Lloyd Thomas Driver.... Jude Akuwudike Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested. Grossman died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. Next programme: Life and Fate: Viktor and Lyuda [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: Viktor and the Academy [link]. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of a family torn apart by war in Soviet Russia. | |
02 | Vera And Her Pilot | 20110920 | In a forest in northern Russia, pilot Lenya longs to see his pregnant girlfriend Vera. Life and Fate: Vera and her Pilot By Vasily Grossman In a forest in northern Russia, Lenya, a pilot, longs to see his pregnant girlfriend, Vera. She is stranded in Stalingrad with her father, Stepan. Her mother (another sister of Lyuda) has drowned in the Volga. She watches the planes hoping to catch sight of Lenya. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson Lenya Viktorov - Luke Treadaway Vera Spiridonov - Morven Christie Pavel Andreyevich - Malcolm Tierney Stepan Spiridonov - Kenneth Cranham Skotnoy - Jonathan Forbes Solmatin - Carl Prekopp Mukhin - Simon Bubb Zakabluka - Gerard McDermott Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi and Harriet Walter star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman. This epic saga takes over every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate is a sweeping historical tale that charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested and Grossman was told that it would not be published for at least 200 years. He died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. |
03 | Abarchuk | 20110921 | Even faithful Communists were sent to the Gulag, as Lyuda's ex-husband knows to his cost. Life and Fate: Abarchuk By Vasily Grossman Lyuda's ex-husband, Abarchuk, is still a staunch believer in the Party even though he was sent to a Russian labour camp some years ago. In November 1942, he assumes his son, Tolya, is fighting for the motherland and composes a letter to him about his beliefs; beliefs that may have been shaken by a recent encounter with his former mentor, Magar. Dramatised for radio by Mike Walker Abarchuk - Malcolm Storry Rubin - Peter Polycarpou Barkhatov - Alun Raglan Magar - Sean Baker Mishanin - Jonathan Forbes With Simon Bubb, James Lailey, Stuart Mcloughlin and Daniel Rabin Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Translated by Robert Chandler Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi, Malcolm Storry and Harriet Walter star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman. This epic saga takes over every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate is a sweeping historical tale that charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested and Grossman was told that it would not be published for at least 200 years. He died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. This afternoon: Life and Fate: Building 6/1 - Those Who Were Still Alive [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: Lieutenant Peter Bach [link] Life and Fate: Novikov's Story [link] |
04 | Lieutenant Peter Bach | 20110922 | In a German field hospital, a young man struggles to make sense of the war. Life and Fate: Lieutenant Peter Bach By Vasily Grossman Peter Bach, a German officer, is wounded and treated at a military field hospital in November 1942. The brief respite from the fighting gives him time to contemplate his secret affair with a Russian girl, Zina, an affair that he roughly denies when confronted with it. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson. Lieutenant Peter Bach - Geoffrey Streatfeild Gerne - Lloyd Thomas Fresser - Michael Shelford The Goalkeeper - Tony Bell Zina - Jessica Raine Hospital Sister - Christine Kavanagh Hospital Orderly - David Seddon Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi and Harriet Walter star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman. This epic saga takes over every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate is a sweeping historical tale that charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested and Grossman was told that it would not be published for at least 200 years. He died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. This afternoon: Life and Fate: Novikov's Story [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: A Hero of the Soviet Union [link] and Life and Fate: Krymov in Moscow [link] |
05 LAST | A Hero Of The Soviet Union | 20110923 | As Krymov recovers from his head wound, he questions his own beliefs. Life and Fate: A Hero of the Soviet Union By Vasily Grossman November, 1942. Krymov denounces Grekov as an enemy of the state. After speeches marking the 25th anniversary of the Revolution at which he is cold-shouldered by his colleagues, he slips out to find Stepan Spiridonov at the Central Power Station. He recalls the heady days of 1917 and Lenin's funeral and compares those ideals with the days of the show-trials. Dramatised for radio by Jonathan Myerson Nikolai Krymov - David Tennant Stepan Spiridonov - Kenneth Cranham Pryakhin - Gerard McDermott Pavel Andreyev - Malcolm Tierney Ogibalov - Carl Prekopp Makuladze - James Lailey Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Translated by Robert Chandler Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Kenneth Cranham, Greta Scacchi and Harriet Walter star in this eight hour dramatisation of Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman. This epic saga takes over every drama strand on Radio 4 this week. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Life and Fate is a sweeping historical tale that charts the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war and is increasingly hailed as the most important Russian novel of the 20th century. Its comparison of Stalinism with Nazism was considered by Soviet authorities to be so dangerous that the manuscript itself was arrested and Grossman was told that it would not be published for at least 200 years. He died in 1964, never knowing that his book would be smuggled to the West and eventually published in 1980. This afternoon: Life and Fate: Krymov in Moscow [link] Tomorrow: Life and Fate: Fortress Stalingrad [link] He died in 1964, never Little Lifetimes By Jenny Eclair |