Death of Stalin, man of steel: 5 March 1953

Stalin, 73, has a brain haemorrhage and dies four days later, having ruled the Soviet Union for almost 30 years. His death causes distress for some, celebration for others.

Stalin had been planning another purge. After an all-night session with Beria, Bulganin, Malenkov and Khrushchev, he doesn't appear for 24 hours. Then a servant discovers him unconscious. Beria, whose position is insecure, delays obtaining medical help, and Stalin never recovers. Soviet citizens are stunned by the death of a Soviet hero. But 'de-Stalinisation' begins in 1956.

French Pathé: news footage with natural sound recorded at the time and French commentary added.

Back

Top