Logo for HistoryGap

Historical accuracy of Death of Stalin

Poster

Characters

Largely historic

Story

Partly historic

Setting

Largely historic

Historical accuracy of: Death of Stalin

Characters

Largely historic

Story

Partly historic

Setting

Largely historic
Poster

Characters

Historic

Joseph Stalin

Paranoid dictator

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union. The film accurately portrays his paranoia, brutality, and the atmosphere of fear that surrounded his rule.

Historic

Nikita Khrushchev

Shrewd politician succeeding Stalin

Nikita Khrushchev succeeded Stalin as the leader of the Soviet Union. The film accurately portrays his role in the power struggle following Stalin's death and his eventual rise to power.

Historic

Georgy Malenkov

Ambitious successor

Georgy Malenkov briefly served as the leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin's death. The film accurately portrays his initial position as Stalin's successor and his involvement in the power struggle.

Historic

Lavrentiy Beria

Ruthless secret police chief

Lavrentiy Beria, head of the NKVD, was arrested and executed by his rivals.

True

Georgy Zhukov

Military leader

Georgy Zhukov played a crucial role in Beria's downfall.

Historic

Vyacheslav Molotov

Loyal deputy

Vyacheslav Molotov was a longtime supporter of Stalin. The film accurately portrays his role in the Soviet government.

Story

True

Stalin's death in 1953

The film centers on the power struggle following Stalin's death on March 5, 1953, a real historical event.

True

Power struggle among Soviet leaders

The film depicts the chaotic jockeying for power among members of the Politburo, including Khrushchev, Beria, Malenkov, and others.

Good depiction

The absurdity of Soviet bureaucracy

The film satirizes the absurdity and inefficiency of the Soviet bureaucracy, particularly in the wake of Stalin's death.

Partly true

Specific dialogue and events

While based on historical events, many conversations and specific incidents are fictionalized or exaggerated for comedic effect.

Partly true

The timeline of events

The film compresses and rearranges some events for narrative convenience.

Setting

Good depiction

The fear and sycophancy of officials

The film accurately portrays the fear and sycophancy that characterized Stalin's inner circle.