Original subtitles

What do you think, Elevan? Maybe I shouldn't get married?

Look, how many beautiful women!

You bastard! - You have no right...

Keep it down comrades!

Hello, police? "Yes, café Three Sparrows".

Those Russian anarchist fight again. Come quick!

Did you get hurt? Oh, it's nothing.

It's a dangerous place for such a pretty lady.

Nobody notices here who's pretty and who's lady.

Russian character.

I'm also from Russia. Aleksander Keskküla.

Inessa Armand.

This is not a Russian name? I'm French.

But you don't have Russian name either?

Lenin!

Lenin?

We sat at the same table. Police mustn't catch him!

Excuse me.

Baldy.

Nobody catches us, Bolsheviks, barehanded!

You just call for police!

You want

to be deported from France?

No, I don't. - If it wasn't for comrade...

Thank you. Uljanov, Bolshevik. - Keskküla. Estonian.

This is comrade Zinovjev. - Let's get out of here!

ALL MY LENINS

Remember, this Russian duke...

They're coming.

Let's go and see.

This is Aleksander.

Good evening.

My mother. - Welcome.

My father. - Good evening.

Katherine has told us about you.

I love Katherine.

I came to ask your daughter's hand in marriage.

Mister Keskküla, if I may ask...

His name is Aleksander. - Tell me, Aleksander...

By the way, why did you leave Russia?

I left Estonia.

Katherine told us that you came from Russia.

Yes, but I'm an Estonian.

I participated in revolution in 1905

and was forced to leave Russia.

Are you a revolutionary?

I fought against Czar and against national oppression.

It's difficult to explain to a Swiss what's national oppression.

I guess it is also difficult to explain this to an American?

O no, it's not that difficult...

You said Estonia? Where is it? Somewhere in Siberia?

Where is Estonia? - Between Eastern and Western Europe.

War is what's needed in order to part from Russia!

This is how Great Estonia will be born!

Aleksander!

I understand that the political debate will be tough.

Great Estonia has many enemies. But in dozen of years,

mark my words,

I'll welcome you at the gates of my own state!

Excuse me.

She's taken after her mother, also irascible.

I've always patiently listened to your nonsense.

I guess we all had our share of nonsense talk.

There's something about your son-in-law...

God grant...

Katherine! What happened?

Did I say something wrong?

You promised!

You had to choose

whether you love your politics

or me?

Aleksander!

So bright eyes!

Does Aleksander help you? - Of course.

He's changed. He's much more sensible.

He's not interested in politics any more.

He doesn't keep shady company and doesn't invent things.

That's good. - Yes, that's the good thing about the war.

He knows that he can't go to

Russia, can't get to his Estonia.

He'll forget about it. - With God's help...

There are no winners in that war, empires will fall!

After the war there will be plenty of little national states

instead of Austria-Hungary and Russia!

Who needs these new states? - Wait and see! Wait for Great Estonia.

Every new state means new borders and customs. Why diffuse the market?

Get real, young man! - Think about that.

Have a nice day! All the best! - Good bye.

Hello!

Did you hear? Lenin is in Bern.

Quiet, quiet.

Arrived today.

The meeting will be held in the park.

Keep quiet!

Ilyich is right, you're nothing but slaves!

Switzerland is a free country!

Soldiers leave trenches

and return to their homes.

They'll become workers and peasants,

supporters of our party,

of our revolutionary movement...

What's going on?

You?

How do you do!

Vladimir Ilyich!

Who's this?

Don't you recognize?

I wouldn't have recognized.

I didn't take a good look at you in Paris.

You came for an evening walk?

No, I heard that you're in Bern

and decided to pay you a visit.

Where did you hear that I'm in Bern?

By chance.

One of your comrades told about that.

Who?

Who has the loudest voice?

Does he go on,

or is it a break?

Yes, and with those comrades

I have to make a revolution!

But why the conspiracy?

Switzerland is a neutral country!

Neutral? Name me one state,

that is neutral towards Bolsheviks?

And do you know why bourgeois hates us?

Because we're the only ones

who are against the war? You see?

The social democrats of Europe

float in chauvinism delusion

and support their bourgeois.

Only we don't support them!

We are for the defeat of our country!

By the way, what do workers of Reval

think of war?

I need to talk to you!

Comrades, please meet

our colleague from Estonia.

Nice to meet you.

Let's go on! Where were we?

Right, why would Bolsheviks need

that Russia loosed the war?

As soon as Russia supports...

In regards to fate of Europe...

Your passport, please.

The Ambassador will see you on Friday at ten o'clock.

I'm afraid

Europe won't wait till Friday.

I'd rather mister Ambassador

himself appoints me the reception.

Mister Ambassador waits for you.

And that's what you came to ask?

Yes.

I think it's not about Germany.

I think that Russia

is not ready for negotiations.

Despite the situation at the front?

The defeat of Samsonov's army alone

won't force Russia into it.

But later, when internal turbulence

insists on it?

On what basis can you ask that?

I'm familiar with the situation in Russia.

You said that you left Russia

six years ago?

I know Russian revolutionaries

who live in Switzerland.

They know very well what's going on in Russia.

I know Lenin very well.

So, in case Germany needs information,

it's available.

Romberg waits

for the statement of Foreign Affairs.

Do we have a statement?

I've spoken to people

who know Russia well.

Our professor Ostenstern?

Me, a respected scholar, have been asked what I think of

a minor political force,

known as Bolsheviks.

You mentioned that they have

their own fraction in Duma.

I have to maintain

that the Bolsheviks were,

are and will be absolutely zero.

It's a proper place

for bourgeois gossip!

How tough is the fate of a revolutionary!

You hardly finish the redecorating

when you have to pick your things and move away.

But you don't understand it, for you ain't

no revolutionary but asshole.

Well?

It's a brilliant issue.

We'll turn the imperialist war

into a civil war!

Very good!

Quick, to the printing house!

Can't do...

Why not?

Anyway, I won't deliver it.

What nonsense is this?

We have a visitor.

Hello.

Do you believe it?

I write an archi-necessary issue,

but this contra turns me down!

Don't you understand that party owes to printing house?

Until the old debts aren't paid

they won't print nothing for us.

How much? - Five.

We take nothing from you.

Take it!

And run to the printing house!

Go! Go!

Thank you, comrade.

I'll pay it back for sure.

If you can, then pay,

if you can't, then don't.

Nadia!

If that's the case I'll send Elevan away.

Invite comrade Elevan in,

for today we celebrate!

It's you again, Grisha? - What's this?

You damned Pinkerton!

I'll tear your ears off!

Where were you sent?

To the printing house...

For how long, o Germany,

you're going to abuse our patience?

What are you waiting for?

Why don't you seize the opportunity,

historical opportunity, and destroy Russia?

Destroy!

And you, great German officers?

Why do you make Germany

wait for another 1000 years,

when you have the chance right now?

What chance?

I beg Thee,

help the Bolsheviks to power.

Give them some money for the peace propaganda.

Fuel the peace flame of Bolsheviks

with your German marks!

With Bolsheviks in power

Russia will fall!

You sound as if the Bolsheviks

are the only opposition in Russia.

Bolsheviks are the only ones

Germany has a reason to help!

Anarchist may boast

single acts of terrorism,

but only Bolsheviks count

as able to seize the power,

and be partners of Germany

in the peace negotiations.

Only Lenin!

I understand

that this information

is of no interest for your Foreign Affairs.

In that case blame yourselves.

Good evening!

Has Foreign Affairs replied?

Not yet. - It's urgent.

I'll call and ask.

With Lenin everything is clear.

But who's this... Keskküla?

I've been watching him.

After he took

interest in our embassy.

However, I don't get him.

I could find a younger agent

from Berlin...

Somebody, who'll deal with him.

Mueller?

Mueller is a brilliant agent!

What do you think?

If we had had ten Mueller's,

Germany would have already won the war.

Yes, Mueller is too good.

They won't give us Mueller.

He agitated the mob to burn down the manors.

And I thought

he's an educated man.

He discontinued his studies at the University of Dorpat,

lived for a while illegally in Moscow

and in Russia.

In 1908 Keskküla left Russia

and has studied after that at universities

in Berlin, Leipzig and Bern.

His co-fighter, Oskar Elevan.

And in Switzerland?

He's been living there for 4 years. Married to a Swiss woman.

He has a daughter.

We don't know much about him.

Not yet.

That's right.

Maybe he's a Russian agent?

The person in question is fully reliable.

He hopes to overthrow

Russian Czar-government with the aid of Bolsheviks.

Thus he's our ally.

He works for his own interests only

and has spent a lot of his personal money

to support the Bolsheviks.

His only goal

is his idea fix of Great Estonia.

It's extremely dangerous

if the foreign minister of a country at war

doesn't understand the strategic goals of his state.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done anything possible...

What about separate peace with Russia?

Continue working with Keskküla.

Support him wholly. Headquarters.

Aleksander Keskküla, honorary consul from Estonia!

Please meet mister Mueller.

Have we met somewhere before?

In near future

you'll share some common goals.

My one and only goal is to establish

the state of Great Estonia on the remains of the Russian empire.

Good-neighborly relations should be the common interest

of Germany and Estonia.

What are you talking about?

I know that my plan

has one weakness.

There's many...

There's one:

I made my bet on one person only,

on Lenin.

What if something happens to Lenin?

I can't leave the birth of my state

to chances.

The solution?

Lenin must have a double

who could replace him everywhere

where it's dangerous.

Dangers lie everywhere.

At first we must find a double.

A man with high resemblance

who's bright enough

and speaks fluent Russian.

This man could be found

only from Russia.

Perhaps also from Germany.

We have spent two months,

visited many prison camps,

lined up 200000 men,

but we've found nobody.

Tomorrow we're supposed to get a new train load.

I won't stay here for another minute!

Let's go!

Gentlemen!

Please, tell me, who are you seeking for?

I understand that it's a secret,

but maybe I can help?

But this is my Semjon!

Semjon is a good worker!

Semjon!

Get up! You have visitors.

Quick! Get up! Out you go, you sham!

Alfred!

Damn! We're late!

We take him with us.

As you please, of course.

Have a nice evening!

Where were you?

In Germany.

Three months?

That's right.

And what did you do there?

I searched for a job.

And did you find it?

I guess not.

Who could visit us so late?

Is mister Keskküla at home?

Write it down point by point.

What should we write? - Conditions of peace.

Peace?

If Bolsheviks came to power in Russia

then on what conditions you'd agree

to make peace with Germany?

We? - Yes, you.

Quiet!

Drop by in the evening. We'll talk then.

See you. - See you.

Should I bring some tea?

"What do I put here? Peace?" - No, no.

"We write here a democratic republic."

Next we'll write

"full national autonomy."

Hold on, I can't keep up.

And in the end

there comes the dessert for Germans,

"proposal of peace."

On the condition that Germany gives up

annexions and indemnities.

Have some tea, gentlemen. - Thank you, Nadjushka.

Where to? Get out!

It's your best writing so far.

Signature.

Does anybody have any objections?

Professor?

Germany takes a big risk.

Germany loses significant amount of money

if Bolsheviks lose their leader.

You are worried about Lenin's safety?

That's right.

As far as I know it's taken care of.

In that case

German government decides:

from now on Germany

concentrates it's financial aid

on undermining

one political force in Russia:

Lenin's left radicals.

Don't forget that you're still a prisoner of war.

Only your regime has been somewhat changed.

Why is that?

German government likes your face.

You and Lenin are very much alike.

But it's not enough.

You have to conduct yourself exactly like Lenin.

In different situations.

Specially in dangerous situations.

Or back to the camp you go!

Excuse me,

you keep talking about this Lenin,

but who is he?

I told you right away

that this man is no good!

This is our best man!

But he doesn't comprehend anything!

We should bring some more from Russia.

You are wanted in Russia.

Unfortunately yes.

What does it mean?

It means you've got to go

without me, Mueller!

You can take Elevan with you,

he speaks Russian better than you do.

But he doesn't speak at all.

He speaks when it's needed.

What retreat? Drop that nonsense!

I carried out the order of General Headquarters.

You'll have the order!

Fuck! They've gone crazy

there in Berlin!

These damn clerks!

The German has gone crazy.

Forward march!

Occupy Baranovitch!

Attack!

Now we are in Russia.

Come here, old hag!

Line up! Shoot the spy!

Aim!

Germans!!!

Ordinary.

Ordinary. Perfectly unnoticeable.

For politician it's not a virtue.

But when such a politician comes to power,

suddenly everybody think he's extraordinary.

Enough, Eberhard! Let's go!

Who walks like that?

I don't know.

What is it? - Nothing. Walk on.

Did you lose anything, gentlemen?

We need a man.

Good money buys everything.

You don't have a man like this?

We have various sorts, if you please.

What now? This man is sick!

Gentlemen!

Where's the police department?

Here it is, master. - Thank you.

Stop, darling!

Where to?

Let's go!

Konev! Bastard! Konev!

Quick!

He ran this way! Bring him back!

Quick!

Or else... Damn you! Quickly!

What are you dawdling? Make it quick!

Not this way, dickhead! Come on!

What a warrior! Damn you...

Bring him back!

You know,

he's really mean.

Yes, but...

That's the problem.

I may imitate his gait and voice,

maybe I even can think like he does,

but it's extremely hard to be as mean as he is.

You've got to be mean.

Pretend, cuss Nadia. But later

you'll gradually become yourself.

Give your comrades some time

to get used to you.

I can't tell even Zinovjev

"he's stupid." Do you get it?

What? You want to let us down?

Sit!

Stop!

What did he do?

He's nuts!

He should be drowned! Burned the house

with his wires...

It took 20 years from Andrei to build it!

Here! Take it! Build a new house!

But this poor thing comes with me!

You won't deceive, will you?

Christ have mercy!

May God forgive you!

The doomsday is coming!

All signs are there.

Antichrist has come, it's Nicholas II!

On the day of his coronation he murdered 30000!

Down with the autocracy! Down with the hangman of Lena!

Down with the Antichrist!

I am your John the Baptist!

The end of the world is near!

The lighting will struck in October 1917!

There's 666 days to go, it's the number of Antichrist!

Listen to me! Me!

I am your John the Baptist!

Me, me, your...

There's no...

Go away! What are you sitting here? Quick!

Quick! Go!

Quickly!

Ladder! Quickly!

Stop!

Where to?

I'll get you even from under the water!

Here! I'll catch you out!

Despite all the efforts

the result is zero.

It's even more than zero!

You remember what Vanja used to be.

Come and see him now!

You became the students of this school,

because you resemble

a Russian revolutionary, Lenin.

The goal of our school is to turn

you into Lenins also on a mental level.

Every double must be an artist.

Artist of self-changing.

Hush!

Look here!

Revolution, class struggle, proletariat!

And now all together.

Revolution, class struggle, proletariat!

O my Sasha!

Let's go home!

No, no, no. Sasha, please meet

my comrades, modernists.

This is Tristan Tzara, but that...

I forgot...

Hans Arp.

Let's get going!

"We gave the world dada"

and this Russian gave us our name.

Emptiness.

How I hate this

degenerate bourgeois art!

Then why do you come here? - Where else should I go?

What else there's to do?

Balalaika, Monsieur...

Is it yours? - It was mine.

Take it. - Are you nuts?

I won't take it! - Take it, take it!

How can I accept such an amount money?

What are you looking at? - I'm looking at a rich man.

Now we can print leaps of anti-war leaflets!

We'll flood all the fronts!

Home, home!

But don't tell Nadia!

She'll beg for a new overcoat again,

but I got her one in London!

When did you go to London? - In 1903.

In that case she should be quiet.

But you know why she wanted to leave Bern?

Because of Inessa?

Yes, Inessa.

Don't tell me about doubles any more.

My revolutionary conscience won't accept it.

Would you like to be able to meet Inessa

any time you want?

Could you arrange that?

To what we'll drink now?

Don't drink any more. - Quiet!

To Russian revolution!

So that Estonian state would emerge

at the outbreak of revolution!

Never! Do you hear me? Never-ever!

It's through with national states.

Future belongs to the state of proletariat,

born a midst the world revolution!

Get this!

Volodja... - Silence!

Who asked you, Nadia?

And what are you staring here?

Get out!

Get out!

To what we'll drink?

To Russian revolution!

How is it?

I allowed only one double.

One is not enough.

How come?

It's very dangerous in Russia right now.

Party mustn't take risks.

I allowed only one.

We'll select one. The best.

I select him!

There aren't many mistakes in the dictate.

Yes, very few.

Satisfactory?

We won't give weak marks on the first semester.

Religion is

a type of mental repression.

Look it up.

Well, Ivan?

What was the topic?

Lenin and national question.

So?

Every nation has the right to determine

the course of its political and economical

development,

including the right

to found an independent national state.

The right of self-determination,

however, isn't a goal per se.

What's important is to what extent

it contributes to the struggle for social liberation.

This is what Lenin thinks

and what I as Lenin should think.

But actually, if you excuse me,

I wouldn't treat it so dogmatically.

The national instinct is stronger

than class instinct.

There's no sense to fight it.

I'd like to give you an example.

The city of Petersburg. An ancient Russian city.

There are 100000 Estonians in Petersburg.

To sum it up - the capital of Russia

is the major city of Estonians.

Thus, if Estonians

will use their right to self-determination in near future,

they're entitled to...

Petersburg! - Naturally!

Vanja will soon be better Lenin than Lenin himself.

He's sly. He told you

what you wanted to hear.

A politician must speak

what mob wants to hear.

This man will get the mob going.

He's charismatic.

Lenin will look like a wuss.

Maybe we should replace him with Vanja?

I have considered that.

But?

It's too early. He has to learn some more.

He has to learn from Lenin himself.

You know I hate this bourgeois sentimentality,

but Inessa...

She's very important to me.

Here she comes.

Thank you, comrade!

Come in!

My Inessa!

Hello.

Hello, my Inessa!

Come in!

No, I won't go...

Come with me!

What are you afraid of?

What if Lenin comes home?

He won't.

But if he comes? - He won't.

I know where he is.

No, no.

Who is it?

It's me.

You left your keys home again?

I guess I left these in the pocket of another jacket.

What another jacket?

Where's this another jacket?

Where were you so long?

In the library. Were was I?

Did you finish it?

What? Yes, of course.

And you gave it to read?

To whom?

You said yourself that Zinovjev wanted to read it.

Why bother, he's a stupid man.

Zinovjev isn't stupid.

Well, they're all opportunists.

Marxism is just a fun and games for them.

It's so like you.

Sit down and eat.

Where can I wash my hands?

Since when you're washing your hands?

Really, why don't I wash my hands?

After dinner I'll hang your curtain rod.

You?

Yes, me. Why?

Listen to it!

In order to revolution be launched

it's not sufficient "if lower classes don't want,"

but it's needed that upper classes can't.

Ingenious, isn't it?

What if lower classes want,

but upper classes can't?

Volodja, why'd you invite me?

Because I must have somebody.

You see? Somebody who'll listen to me.

You see? Shut up!

What are you looking at?

Nothing.

No, I see that you're

so good at everything.

You content?

You're so kind today.

Is it bad?

I don't know.

I'm glad.

Maybe all will be as it used to be.

Maybe everything will turn out all right.

Let's repeat the topic of our last lesson.

You haven't forgot?

We learned how to salute people.

Stand up!

"Let's start on my mark: People!"

No people!

People!

No people!

Thank you, have a seat.

And you know what, comrades?

The most characteristic feature of Lenin

is that he's always writing.

If you notice that somebody

stares at you suspiciously,

you start writing.

What if we don't have a pen and paper?

Then say that you have a headache.

Just like my head aches

from your stupid questions!

Let's try.

Somebody stares at you! Stop!

Left hand

must grasp the head.

Let's try.

Somebody stares at you!

Nobody stares!

Stares!

Nobody stares!

Stares!

Nobody stares!

Stares! Nobody stares!

Are you afraid?

No. I don't know how to be afraid.

Well, Russia is immense.

But if fate turns it into my hands

and asks to rule it,

then I do my duty.

However...

I can keep this woman too, can't I?

Nadia? - Yes.

Yeah.

Tell me honestly,

would you live with her?

Me? I already have a wife.

No. Would you live with her like husband and wife?

If historical circumstances demand it...

Don't think like a historical character!

Tell me like a man.

Nadia is a very good person.

We'll work on, aiming at

taking over all functions of Lenin.

At the moment it means Nadia and the party.

And if you complete the mission, also the state.

And Inessa?

I told you, everything! Everything!

If you get along, then good luck!

I have to warn you, it was extremely hard

to get her here today.

It's time.

Wait!

How do they actually...?

What have we got here?

Are they...? Are we...? Me?

Didn't Ilyich tell you?

Wait! Don't leave me alone!

Oh my God!

I came to tell you

that our relationship

can't go on any longer.

No woman

could stand it. But I'm a woman,

whether you like it or not.

I see...

I've been bad to you. - Bad?

I know what's wrong with me.

I think only of myself.

I've never even tried to imagine

what the other might feel. You.

I've been working. I've been working hard.

But I haven't noticed

those around me, you, Inessa.

I know what's wrong with me.

But I want to change. Inessa!

You've already changed.

Too little. I can't do it alone.

I need somebody to stand by me.

Inessa, you must be with me,

only you.

Then we'll make such a revolution

with you

that all other countries will envy us.

My baby!

My queen, my joy, my pumpkin,

my doll, I love you!

Where would I go without you?

I'm coming to you!

My darling, my joy,

without you I'm without my arms,

without legs, without strength...

Let's work.

But what next?

Well, our Keskküla has big ambitions.

Zinovjev!

It was Zinovjev!

Do you have to stink here right now?

When will I do it then?

The ceiling needs to be done!

But you won't do it, you only

write and write!

A man has to live.

Nobody needs you in Russia.

Nobody knows you in Russia.

And nobody needs you.

You've got nothing to do there.

As if the war wasn't enough?

Nobody needs your revolution!

At least you could admit that.

It would be easier for all of us.

I know it better than you do!

I know that Russia doesn't need me!

But you don't tell me that!

Comrade Krupskaja!

Top of the Sunday morning!

Hi.

I just came to ask you as a friend...

Wouldn't you know

where Vladimir Iliych could be right now?

Where should he be?

Isn't he at one forbidden place?

Volodja! Volodja!

Go to... - Grigori came! - Coming, Nadia!

What?

I know as well as you do that Romanovs

will rule for another 300 years!

So what? - 300 bloody years.

Do you know who is it? Do you know?

It's you.

Elevan!

It not only refers to the swiftness of his brain activity

but also to his, it means my,

physical mobility.

I'll show you:

Waistcoat! Hands on hips! Pockets!

And reach out!

Stand up!

Repeat after me!

Waistcoat! Hips! Pockets! Arm!

Waistcoat! Hips! Pockets! Arm!

We need to talk. - Continue without me.

I have a request,

Vladimir Ilyich. - Well?

I'd like you to stay here

for a while.

Is there a danger? - There's no danger.

It's for the best interests of our

common cause. - What is it then?

You see, Vanja... - What Vanja?

Why do you bother me with this Vanja?

You are really going to replace me, aren't you?

A stupid joke, Vladimir Ilyich!

It seems that I made a mistake,

picking Vanja.

I told you right away that he's not so...

You're right. As always.

Obviously our ways with Vanja

will part. It's up to you to decide.

I guess it's for better.

One! Two! Three! Four!

Comrades!

I hope you remember

why you came here in the first place?

We didn't come here.

We're going to Russia!

You're leaving sooner

than you thought. Take your seats!

Russia is no Zurich! Sit down!

You have to make an impression

that everybody has seen Lenin.

So that we put our lives in danger?

Who would shoot this piece of shit anyway?

Shoot Lenin if I only get to go to Russia!

But who'll command us there?

So that all of us five won't

show up at the same meeting! Plus Lenin himself!

This is a major task!

Right!

Has the Russian coordinator been appointed?

I thought you aren't interested...

You won't come to Russia.

All right.

But I can show you.

By the way, we had many candidates.

But finally we chose this one.

Who is it?

Stalin. - Stalin?

Never heard of him. - Nobody has.

You can't give.

Bolsheviks real jobs.

They are unpredictable idealists.

Today one idea, tomorrow another.

He's not a Bolshevik?

An ordinary criminal.

As a personality Lenin is inexhaustible.

That's why Lenin stays with you.

Observe me,

try to notice the details.

The main characteristic of my personality,

simplicity and humbleness must come from inside you.

Fuel the class rage

and great humanity in you,

for both hatred and humanity

make up Lenin! Remember that!

Straight moral attitude,

high ethical platform,

healing ruthlessness,

communist moral - this is Lenin,

this is me! Me, my comrades!

Viva social revolution in all the world!

Hurray!

Come on.

Thank you! - Thanks!

Food! - Soup will be ready in a minute.

What have you been doing?

You don't understand it?

May I? - Vow, Radek!

Why didn't you say that we'll have visitors?

You're still here?

Where should we be then?

There's a revolution in Russia!

Czar has been overthrown.

How do you know? - Read this!

Comrade Lenin!

I've got to tell you

that you're going to Russia.

You have a strong party

and your propaganda has had its impact.

If Russia loses the war

the power is virtually yours.

You have to know that the money

I've given you...

This money came from... - Germany?

Of course! I understood that.

But do you understand

that the world revolution needs money?

And that the world revolution doesn't ask

where it's coming from!

The world revolution will destroy

all the empires, all the world!

Only then have we won!

What now?

Russia waits for you!

I just finished redecorating the room.

Yes, Russia is waiting for me! To Russia!

I've been waiting for that day for 10 years.

However, how do we

get to Russia?

Come on! Come on!

Take your ticket and keep it.

But my ticket?

You don't have a ticket.

You neither. Keep it down!

We all travel in a special car.

There isn't much time left.

I told you! Let's go!

Quick!

Comrades, let's take a seat before leaving.

A photograph for remembrance. You come here.

Here, Vladimir Ilyich!

And you come here.

If I may...

Don't move! Take a photo!

I'm here, comrades, here!

Bastards! Let me go! - Who was that?

I guess it was one of our comrades.

It's a provocation! Help!

Thank you for your support to Russian social-democrats!

We will pay our debts, comrades.

Good bye, comrades.

Vanja, where to?

I'm sorry.

Excuse me, comrades.

What's wrong, Vanja?

With your kind permission I'll leave for a second.

Go, go!

Ilyich is almost unrecognizable!

Yes, going home has had

a good effect.

I'm afraid it's something else.

Ten years is Western Europe.

You're writing?

There's no use, you resemble Lenin even without it.

That's the tactics of our party.

Point by point.

I'll present it to the workers

of Petrograd as soon as we arrive.

Why do you think you will perform?

All right, all right. What, March?

God grant we'll arrive

to Russia in April. What a writer!

Write, write!

Listen to it!

I'm fed up! Do you hear me?

Where is this Fake-Vladimir?

Enough of these doubles!

Where is Nadia? Where's Inessa?

The Central Committee must gather!

Vanja doesn't think it's appropriate right now.

Vanja? I'm the leader of the party!

Me! Do you understand?

Think of your safety.

My safety? When party is in peril?

I think of our safety.

I've developed the tactics,

tasks of Bolsheviks in Petrograd.

The Central Committee must approve these.

Gather the Committee immediately!

All right, I'll talk to Vanja.

Remember, how we drove from Naples to Capri?

Yeah.

Remember, what did you promise me? - Yes.

But you haven't done it so far. - Done what?

You don't remember? - No, I do remember.

How could you forget something like that?

Comrade Armand, leave us for a second.

Beg your pardon? - My Inessa...

What is it?

I'm concerned about the situation

within the party. - Specifically?

Vladimir Ilyich!

We shouldn't have taken him with us!

He is with us.

What would you suggest?

What should I do?

Traditional Russian question.

We won't destroy him, do we?

After all he's my double.

We'll destroy him morally.

Gather the Central Committee immediately.

You, non party man, won't boss me around!

Jupiter, you lost your temper?

If you want to be involved in party,

you must join the party!

I already have my party.

Comrades!

Having heard that

the meeting of Central Committee will be held today.

Aleksander Keskküla, a well-known Estonian revolutionary,

came up to me and asked to be

allowed to say some words.

I think we'll give him a word.

All right, but let him be quick!

What's the topic anyway?

Comrades!

The topic is safety.

Namely safety of Vladimir Ilyich.

I think I don't have to tell you

what safety is.

Now, when you are returning to Russia,

the danger to your lives,

especially to the life of Vladimir Ilyich,

has increased significantly.

Regarding the situation I found it indispensable

that Vladimir Ilyich

should have a double when arriving to Russia.

A person willing to risk his life

in order to save

the heart, brain and...

And brain of Russian revolution!

Vladimir Ilyich agreed.

I found a suitable person

and prepared him.

However, it turned out that the person in question...

To the point!

He didn't bear the burden

and now sometimes he imagines

that he is Lenin.

Prostitutes! Opportunists!

Pigs! Degenerates!

Well, bitches? Don't you recognize me?

My God, how similar they are!

What are you talking about, there is no similarity at all.

Don't you recognize me?

Didn't expect to see me any more?

I want the Central Committee

to know that such an experiment took place.

It was a mistake.

I'm Lenin!

Do you hear me, bastard?

Why didn't you tell me

that you have a double? Why didn't you tell us?

But this is me! Understand? Me?

Look at me! It's me, Volodja!

What shall we decide? I think that

the experiment must be declared a mistake.

The party has always admitted its mistakes.

Who's for?

Inessa! Nadia!

This is me, Volodja!

Look at me! Ask me something! Anything!

Ask me something!

Ask what color was the overcoat

I bought you in London!

Take this horrible person away!

You see how the non-approved

shady experiments will end?

The Central Committee will go on.

Non-party comrades, please leave.

The tactics of the party at the present time...

Why should I need Lenin?

I grasp the power myself!

You won't grasp anything alone!

I have many good guys in prison.

If I whistle...

If I come to power,

I'll hang up all the black coats!

Rob the robbed!

I'll sell the property of convents to abroad!

The electrification of all the land, and that's it!

There it is, red terror!

Look, friend! This is comrade Lenin,

who'll put an end

to this imperialist war. Did you get that?

Here you are. - Thank you, comrade.

Welcome to your revolutionary homeland!

A traditional Russian question.

Why are we stopping? - Shut up!

Good evening.

Papers, please.

Melnikov, Aleksei Ivanovich.

Here you are.

He also knows Lenin. - Of course.

Welcome to Russia!

Your Highness!

Where are the rest?

He's working and working...

He works so that our children

could have better lives. Do you understand?

Let's have it!

Vladimir Ilyich! Is it really you?

As you can see. The last car.

But the sixth one? - One proved to be

not trustworthy.

On the way...

On the way? - From Sassnitz to Stockholm.

We had to...

Are you sure?

It's 50 metres deep.

Was it a double?

Comrades! Our time has come.

The delay equals death.

We have to seize the power today.

This is our primary task.

Tomorrow it'll be too late!

We have to carry out a cool conversion

from bourgeois-democratic revolution

to the socialist revolution!

Us, the Bolsheviks,

won't call for

a fight against Temporary Government...

While Keskküla was in Stockholm, taking care of Estonian affairs,

the Bolsheviks brought Russia to ruins.

Though it didn't save Germany

it gave Estonia an opportunity to declare independence.

Estonian government declared Keskküla

a foreign spy.

Upset patriot decides

to turn his back to the fatherland.

Alfred!

You recognized me after all?

Look who came!

Hello, Mrs Keskküla!

I'm sorry I didn't bring any flowers.

Alfred came straight from Moscow. Have a seat!

Thank you.

Here's everything the same, as you can see.

Can I have a drink?

Well? Speak up!

What's new?

Well, there are some news...

Yeah, it's been seven years.

How are our friends doing?

I read that Vanja was put to the mausoleum.

It wasn't Vanja.

They all took turns in Kremlin.

In general they kept their promise.

The murderer drained Russia from blood

and the priest destroyed the church.

Our electrician came up with his GOELRO-plan.

The last one, however, was the syphilitic

I found from Zytomyr.

I guess it's him in the mausoleum.

I helped you, you help me.

Beg your pardon?

I'd like to settle down here in Sweden.

And money, money!

Here's your water. - Thank you.

What's new with you?

Wife came and paid the debts.

You're going to Switzerland? - Well, yes.

What happened?

You know why I'm here?

You were sent to kill me.

How do you know? - I assume.

The next one they'll kill

is gonna be you.

I got them off my tail at the port.

They're here!

Fuck!

Alfred.

I won't come in

before this Mueller has left!

I thought it's you there...

It is me.

Tomorrow is another day, Oskar!

Did you clear up Mueller's trash?

Aleksander Keskküla spent the rest of his days

in voluntary exile

in Switzerland and later in Spain,

where he died in 1963.

Oskar Elevan stayed in Sweden,

losing gradually his mental balance.

After the World War II he returned

to the occupied Estonia,

against all logic,

and died in a closed

psychiatric clinic.

This movie is based

on his notes.