It's an excellent movie, despite playing fast and loose around some details. Beria wasn't as bad as he is portrayed, Molotov was not that spineless, Melenkov was generally considered the sharpest knife in the drawer by outsiders (but he was very scared by Stalin). Oth, Stalin was every bit as much a tyrant as he is shown, Krushchev was every bit as sharp, and Zhukov every bit as decisive and ruthless. If you like how Krushchev come s across here, try Enemy at the Gates. It's about Stalingrad and Bob Hoskins plays - or, to be more accurate is - Krushchev. It's one of the best supporting performances evah!