Life And Fate

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Life and Fate: Viktor and Lyuda

By Vasily Grossman

Viktor, a nuclear physicist, is evacuated with his family from Moscow eastwards to Kazan.

It's October 1942 and the Russians are defending Stalingrad from the ferocious attack of the Germans.

Viktor has a revelatory breakthrough in his research but his wife Lyuda learns of the death of her son and her grief drives a wedge between the couple: Viktor is drawn to the kindness of Marya, the wife of his close colleague.

Dramatised for radio by Mike Walker.

Viktor Shtrum....Kenneth Branagh

Lyuda Shaposhnikova....Greta Scacchi

Nadya....Ellie Kendrick

Alexandra....Ann Mitchell

Pyotr Sokolov....Nigel Anthony

Marya Sokolova....Harriet Walter

Leonid Madyarov....Ralph Ineson

Sister....Elaine Claxton

Anna Stepanovna....Alex Tregear

Soldiers....Gerard McDermott, Jonathan Forbes, Henry Devas

Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead

Musicians: Oliver Wilson-Dickson, Tom Jackson, Stacey Blythe and Max Pownall

Translated by Robert Chandler

Directed and 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 seen 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.

The Shaposhnikov family are about to feel the full impact of the war.

Life and Fate: Viktor and the Academy

By Vasily Grossman

In the final episode of Life and Fate, Viktor's scientific breakthrough has not brought him the success he expected.

Instead he is gradually ostracised for his 'anti-Soviet' science.

He starts to dread the knock at the door.

Zhenya's visit to Moscow brings some distraction but it is Marya in whom he longs to confide.

Dramatised for radio by Mike Walker

Viktor Shtrum - Kenneth Branagh

Lyuda - Greta Scacchi

Marya Sokolova - Harriet Walter

Zhenya - Raquel Cassidy

Nadya - Ellie Kendrick

Shishakov - Jack Shepherd

Boris Badin - Carl Prekopp

Anna Stepanovna - Alex Tregear

Markov - Simon Bubb

Chepyzhin - James Greene

Vanya - Gerard McDermott

Stalin - Philip Madoc

With Elaine Claxton, Jonathan Forbes and James Lailey

Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead

Performed by Oliver Wilson-Dickson, Tom Jackson, Stacey Blythe and Max Pownall

Translated by Robert Chandler

Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell

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 programme can be heard again next Sunday [link]

Life and Fate is available as a free download [link].

Viktor is ostracised for his 'anti-Soviet' science and fears the worst.

Life and Fate: Viktor and the Academy

By Vasily Grossman

In the final episode of Life and Fate, Viktor's scientific breakthrough has not brought him the success he expected.

Instead he is gradually ostracised for his 'anti-Soviet' science.

He starts to dread the knock at the door.

Zhenya's visit to Moscow brings some distraction but it is Marya in whom he longs to confide.

Dramatised for radio by Mike Walker

Viktor Shtrum - Kenneth Branagh

Lyuda - Greta Scacchi

Marya Sokolova - Harriet Walter

Zhenya - Raquel Cassidy

Nadya - Ellie Kendrick

Shishakov - Jack Shepherd

Boris Badin - Carl Prekopp

Anna Stepanovna - Alex Tregear

Markov - Simon Bubb

Chepyzhin - James Greene

Vanya - Gerard McDermott

Stalin - Philip Madoc

With Elaine Claxton, Jonathan Forbes and James Lailey

Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead

Performed by Oliver Wilson-Dickson, Tom Jackson, Stacey Blythe and Max Pownall

Translated by Robert Chandler

Directed and Produced by Alison Hindell

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.

Viktor is ostracised for his 'anti-Soviet' science and fears the worst.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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]

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]