Film info

Creator / Collector

Description
May 1 is a landmark day for workers' struggles, which since 1886 has been established to be celebrated with marches and events around the world.

In Moscow, the capital of Russia during the USSR, a major military parade was held for May Day, honoring the working class.

In the film, we see the city that is decorated with red flags, the streets, the buildings and people who start gathering. The march of citizens begins, accompanied by a band, a chariot with Leonid Brezhnev’s portrait - then President of the Supreme Soviet - passes by, citizens with balloons, banners, sings, flowers and more chariots, while we watch government cars that transport the government officials who will attend the parade.

Then we see footage from the state television which shows the large crowd, the celebrations and the speeches in front of the Kremlin in Red Square.

As we return to our film again, we see views from the Saint Basil's Cathedral and in some general views from Red Square and we can see the historic buildings such as the State Historical Museum, the Lobnoye Mesto, the Spasskaya Tower ('Saviour Tower’) with the clock, a changing of guard’s shift, lined up soldiers and the crowded people who move away gradually.

Coordinates

Film Information

Holder
Bonar, Andrew Graham

Quality
HD (1440x1080)

Sound
Yes

Color
Yes

Duration (seconds)
224

Format
8mm

Creator's description


May Day is here, and once again flattering portraits of the nation’s leaders are erected, together with thousands of flags and banners carrying those tired old communist slogans. And once again the toiling masses turn out in their thousands to march to Red Square and take part in the joyful parade.

Unlike the November parade, which celebrates the anniversary of the Revolution and is mainly a demonstration of Soviet military might, May Day is the day of the workers, and is meant to be a joyous occasion. It certainly is a spectacle seeing these vast crowds surging through Red Square, and there is nothing the Russians like more than a spectacle.

May 1st has been a brilliantly sunny day this year. The strange, grandiose and colourful Church of St. Basil’s, built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, is looking at its best.

The banners and the flags are still here, and crowds have gathered to see the goose-stepping soldiers executing the changing of the guard.
Bonar, Andrew Graham