Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

Drama: Tsar

Brian McCardie

Abbie Andrews

Rosie Boore

Danny Sapani

Samuel James

Kenneth Collard

Philip Bretherton

Neil McCaul

Charlie Clements

David Reakes

Isabella Inchbald

Adam Fitzgerald

Sasha Yevtushenko

Mike Walker

Tsar: Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik

Drama

Tsar

05/11/2017

Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik

BBC Radio 4 - Tsar, Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik

Where was Joseph Stalin when the Soviet Union was attacked?

Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues with the story of Joseph Stalin and the run-up to Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.

By Mike Walker

In June 1941, when news came through that the Nazis had taken Minsk, 300 miles into Soviet territory, Joseph Stalin retired to his dacha. And there he stayed for three days - refusing to answer the telephone or to see anyone.

What was he doing, at a time when his country needed him most? Had he suffered a mental breakdown? Was he unable to face up to his gross miscalculation that Hitler would not start a war on two fronts? Or did he fear arrest? And was this an act of cunning, to test the loyalty of his inner circle?

Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues with the story of Joseph Stalin and the invasion of the Soviet Union.

The guitarist was Colin Guthrie.

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Tsar

Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik

Contributors

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4