1917: O Ano da Revolução

This is another National Geographic documentary that appears on Disney Plus as a "movie" so based on my own rules I watched it. I didn't really know much about these Russian revolutions going in, so can't speak to the accuracy of the film - but I felt that the way it told the story was informative and well presented.

In February of 1917, with its population starving and entrenched in The Great War, the people of Petrograd begin a series of public protests that culminate in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The people form a system of government, but this ruling council decide to remain in the war. In the subsequent months, the Bolshevik party gains influence and in October, they seize control of the country and bring in a series of measures designed to improve the life of the average Russian.

The documentary takes mostly the form of footage from the time, and the odd recreation here and there. All set to a narration from David Coburn, who is OK at this - though IMDB suggest it was his first time and there would only be one other documentary that he worked on. I thought it told the story of the revolutions well enough - explaining the historical context and then taking us through a timeline of the events of 1917.

I think, perhaps like any documentary, if it was a little longer and covered some facets of the story deeper, it might be even better - but I understand the constraints of American Television, which, despite the classification on Disney Plus - this was undoubtably made to service. Serving as a priming overview though, that was interesting.