Made with time and money and vision in the DDR, half a century ago, this unashamedly communistic documentary is well worth seeing despite your political stance.This first (and superior) part of the epic film tells the story of Russia's transformation from an empire ruled by the czar into a socialist mega nation. The movie's power comes from a level-headed and empathetic depiction of the pre-revolution conditions in Russia. Technologically Russia was a hundred years behind the western countries, with 65 million people living - in practical terms - in slavery.The said conditions are rarely talked about, but they explain the desperate need for a change in the gigantic nation. It is a startling notion that even with the atrocities committed by The Party, Russians still had it better than before.The Thorndikes use archival material to great effect in this well directed, still timely and intelligent film.