Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Viktor And Lyuda | 20110918 | 20110924 (R4) | 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. Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Grossman's 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. Dramatised by Mike Walker. Viktor Shtrum.....Kenneth Branagh Lyuda Shaposhnikova.....Greta Scacchi Nadya.....Ellie Kendrick Alexandra .....Ann Mitchell Pyotr Sokolov.....Nigel Anthony Akhmet Karimov....Stephen Greif 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 Director: Alison Hindell First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Kenneth Branagh stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. |
| 02 | Anna's Letter | 20110919 | Viktor's mother, Anna, writes him a farewell letter in September 1941. As a Jew in Berdichev, in the Ukraine now occupied by the Nazis, she has been forced into a ghetto and understands what will come next. The letter somehow finds its way to Viktor and is to be a source of strength for him in days to come. Anna Semyonovna - Janet Suzman Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi and Harriet Walter star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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. Dramatised by Mike Walker Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead. Performed by Oliver Wilson-Dickson, Tom Jackson, Stacey Blythe and Max Pownall Translated by Robert Chandler Director: Alison Hindell First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Janet Suzman stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 03 | Krymov And Zhenya, Lovers Once | 20110919 | 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. Continuing Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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. Dramatised by Jonathan Myerson Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Director: Jonquil Panting Producer: Alison Hindell 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. David Tennant stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 04 | Vera And Her Pilot | 20110920 | 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. Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi and Harriet Walter star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Jonathan Myerson. Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Performed by Carl Prekopp & Gerard McDermott Translated by Robert Chandler Director: 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of a family torn apart by war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 05 | Journey | 20110920 | 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. Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi, Samuel West, John Sessions and Harriet Walter star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Mike Walker. Director: 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011. Sara Kestelman stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 06 | Abarchuk | 20110921 | 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. Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi, Malcolm Storry and Harriet Walter star Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Mike Walker. Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead. Translated by Robert Chandler. Director: 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of a family torn apart by war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 07 | Building 6-1, Those Who Were Still Alive | 20110921 | 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. Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Jonathan Myerson. Director: Jonquil Panting Producer: Alison Hindell 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. David Tennant stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 08 | Lieutenant Peter Bach | 20110922 | 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. Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Greta Scacchi and Harriet Walter star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Jonathan Myerson. Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Director: 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of all sides of the Battle of Stalingrad. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 09 | Novikov's Story | 20110922 | 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. Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Mike Walker Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Directors: Alison Hindell and Jonquil Panting. Producer: Alison Hindell. Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Vasily Grossman's 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of a family torn apart by war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 10 | A Hero Of The Soviet Union | 20110923 | 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. Kenneth Branagh, Janet Suzman, David Tennant, Kenneth Cranham, Greta Scacchi and Harriet Walter star Vasily Grossman's epic saga. Nikolai Krymov - David Tennant Stepan Spiridonov - Kenneth Cranham Pryakhin - Gerard McDermott Pavel Andreyev - Malcolm Tierney Ogibalov - Carl Prekopp Makuladze - James Lailey Dramatised by Jonathan Myerson. Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead. Translated by Robert Chandler. Director: 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. David Tennant stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 11 | Krymov In Moscow | 20110923 | Moscow, Winter 1942. Commissar Nikolai Krymov has been denounced and arrested. He's 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. Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Jonathan Myerson. Directors: Alison Hindell and Jonquil Panting Producer: Alison Hindell Set against the ferocious Battle of Stalingrad, Vasily Grossman's 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant star in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 12 | Fortress Stalingrad | 20110924 | 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. 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 Dramatised by Jonathan Myerson. Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead. Director: 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Vasily Grossman's epic tale of a family torn apart by war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. | |
| 13 | Viktor And The Academy | 20110925 | 20111001 (R4) | 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. Conclusion of Vasily Grossman's epic saga. 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 Dramatised by Mike Walker. Original music by John Hardy with Rob Whitehead Performed by Oliver Wilson-Dickson, Tom Jackson, Stacey Blythe and Max Pownall. Translated by Robert Chandler Director: 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. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011. Kenneth Branagh stars in Vasily Grossman's epic tale of family and war in Soviet Russia. Programmes around Russian writer and journalist Vasily Grossman's two epic wartime novels. |