The History of Communism

Documentary series that examines the origins, rise, and global impact of communism, combining rigorous historiography with immersive storytelling. Filmed across 10 countries, the series features interviews with nearly 50 leading historians, authors, and experts from institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard — including Simon Montefiore, Victor Sebestyen, Antony Saich, Stephen Smith, and Theodore Dalrymple.
 

Through rare documents, international archives, personal testimonies, and diverse ideological perspectives, the series traces the trajectory of communism from Karl Marx’s ideas to their implementation by Lenin, the Soviet era under Stalin, and the spread of the ideology to Cuba, Eastern Europe, and China. Each episode blends in-depth research with dramatizations, 3D animations, and restored archival footage to provide an accessible yet comprehensive account of one of the most influential and controversial ideologies in modern history.
 

The first three episodes — covering Marx, Lenin, and Stalin — are available to the public, while the remaining three, focusing on Cuba, the Eastern Bloc, and China, are exclusive to members of Brasil Paralelo.