Title:THE FIVE MEN OF VELISH : a document from the people's war in Russia [Main Title]
Film Number:CSU 210
Other titles:
Summary: A dual-purpose film, portraying Russian popular resistance to the German invasion and, in explaining that resistance, directing a propaganda message at the British people.
Description: Opens with shots of Soviet citizens volunteering and training for home defence ("Reinforce the people's army with armed people"): men and women, factory workers and cossacks in training; an exercise. Then, over titles "5 men of Velish" commentary asks "Why did the Soviet people rise as one man? They knew Fascism - so shall you" - film shows a sequence of 5 still photographs retrieved from the body of a German showing the execution by hanging of 5 men: the commentary describes what is going on, saying "It might have been here... it might have been you." Closes with a sequence on the Russian partisans ("Hit back - that's the answer"): partisans receive weapons and training, and (while commentary reads out the guerrilla oath) men take the oath, attend a briefing, and move off.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Soviet War News Film Agency (Production company)
Pickles, Wilfred1904-10-131978-03-26 (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Soviet Union partisans (regiment/service)
Keywords: administration, German - occupation: [abuse] (object name)
law and order, German - punishment: execution & [abuse] (object name)
propaganda, Russian - inflammatory (object name)
society, Russian - precautionary: home defence (object name)
training, Russian military - combat (object name)
Russia & Velizh (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 600 ft; Running time: 7 mins
