Russian citizens constantly feared reprisals for speaking out against Joseph Stalin's oppressive regime during his time of power from 1941 to 1953. This PBS program looks at how three Russian institutions during this time created an odd balance between harsh government control and an appreciation of artistic beauty. Viewers will learn about Lubyanka, the headquarters of the secret police, the mighty Kremlin's government offices, and the Bolshoi Theater's unique respite from Stalin's terrors. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide