Russia in Review

The film presents a summary of the history of the Soviet Union. It begins with scenes from pre-revolutionary Russia, including the court of Czar Nicholas II and the Kremlin in Moscow. From footage shot in 1930, scenes depict the kulak and efforts to establish the collectivization of agriculture. The effects of the First Five-Year Plan relating to factories, dams, mines and farming are shown, as are changes in housing and living standards. Various scenes of barber shops, peoples' courts, prison colonies, Volga boats, railways, streetcars and the Moscow subway are presented. Russian villages are contrasted to what they were before the revolution. Scenes are shown of Kiev's Lavra, Armenia's Lake Gokcha, Tbilisi's railroad, which is run by children, Astrakhan's caviar, Irkutsk's gold, Stanligrad's tractors, tea plantations near Batumi and rest homes along the Black Sea Riviera. The food situation at present and in the past is contrasted. Educational efforts are shown. Anti-religious museums are presented, as are churches. Scenes depicting the contrast of private and state trade are shown. Effects of the Second Five-Year Plan is depicted. War preparations, including an air meet, with parachute jumping, and a parade of youth in Red Square is shown.