The Last Days of the USSR Poster

The Last Days of the USSR 2011

★ 8.01 votes52 min📅 2011-12-12

Jean-Charles Deniau's gripping 2011 documentary *The Last Days of the USSR* plunges viewers into the turbulent final chapter of a global superpower, unfolding between 1989 and 1991.

Director: Jean-Charles Deniau

Cast

Philippe Faure
Philippe Faure
Self (voice)
Stephen F. Cohen
Stephen F. Cohen
Self
Grigoriy Yavlinskiy
Grigoriy Yavlinskiy
Self
Andrei Gratchev
Andrei Gratchev
Self
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Self
Algirdas Brazauskas
Algirdas Brazauskas
Self
Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze
Self
Alexander Yakovlev
Alexander Yakovlev
Self
Valentin Pavlov
Valentin Pavlov
Self
Gennady Burbulis
Gennady Burbulis
Self

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Last Days of the USSR (2011) about?

*The Last Days of the USSR* examines the pivotal 1989–1991 period when the Soviet Union unraveled under the weight of economic crisis and political upheaval. Through interviews with insiders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Grigoriy Yavlinskiy, the film traces the high-stakes battle between Gorbachev's reformist policies and Boris Yeltsin's populist challenge that ultimately dissolved the USSR.

Who directed The Last Days of the USSR?

The documentary was directed by Jean-Charles Deniau, a filmmaker known for his incisive historical documentaries that blend archival footage with personal testimony.

Who stars in The Last Days of the USSR?

The film features exclusive interviews with Mikhail Gorbachev, Grigoriy Yavlinskiy, Andrei Gratchev, Philippe Faure, and Stephen F. Cohen, offering firsthand perspectives on the era's defining moments.

Is The Last Days of the USSR (2011) worth watching?

With its sharp focus on a pivotal historical moment and interviews from key figures, *The Last Days of the USSR* offers a compelling watch for history buffs and general audiences alike. While IMDb ratings are unavailable, its documentary format and concise runtime make it accessible and informative.

How long is The Last Days of the USSR?

The documentary runs for 52 minutes.

About The Last Days of the USSR (2011) — How Gorbachev and Yeltsin Redefined a Nation

Jean-Charles Deniau's gripping 2011 documentary *The Last Days of the USSR* plunges viewers into the turbulent final chapter of a global superpower, unfolding between 1989 and 1991. Through intimate interviews with key players like Mikhail Gorbachev and Grigoriy Yavlinskiy, the film dissects the explosive rivalry between Gorbachev's faltering perestroika reforms and Boris Yeltsin's rise as the voice of a restless populace. Shot as a TV movie, this history documentary blends archival tension with firsthand accounts, capturing the political fever and uncertainty that marked the Soviet Union's collapse. The atmosphere crackles with the stakes of a nation at a crossroads, where one wrong move could redraw the world map.

At its core, *The Last Days of the USSR (2011)* isn't just a recounting of events—it's a human drama of power, pride, and the fragility of systems. Deniau crafts a narrative that feels both urgent and reflective, revealing how two men's contrasting visions shaped history. The documentary's concise 52-minute runtime keeps the momentum tight, focusing on the raw moments that defined an era. For anyone fascinated by geopolitics or riveting historical storytelling, this is a must-watch dive into the forces that reshaped the 20th century.