Lenin.....The Train (1988 TV movie)

Lenin.....The Train is a TV movie from 1988, which chronicles the railway journey made by Lenin and his associates from Switzerland,via Germany, to Petrograd, in the run-up to the October Revolution. Ben Kingsley stars as the Russian revolutionary.

The film begins with a look at the tortuous negotiations between Lenin's people and the German authorities, the Germans being anxious to help Lenin with his revolutionary programme, as a means of getting Russia out of the First World War. Of course, negotiations also took place between the various Russian factions.

In some respects this is your typical TV-movie fare, but the gravitas and the general quality are elevated somewhat by the standard of the acting, Timothy West standing out in this regard. Initially, my opinion was that Ben Kingsley should have adopted a Russian accent, and that this was necessary to imbue the picture with authenticity. However, by the end I had concluded that this was no major issue, as Kingsley's mannerisms and gestures are very consistent and believable, and convey a distinct persona.

I feel that the movie portrays Lenin as the voice of reason and moderation, his sole objective being to instigate and foment the Revolution. To him, hotheads and indiscretions posed a threat to the prospects for the entire enterprise. Lenin knew that some emotions had to be suppressed, so as not to endanger the quest for the main prize. A plus point is that this film depicts the Bolsheviks as reasonably normal people, not as overly fanatical, belligerent or obsessive.

This movie contains repeated reminders of the futility and injustice of the war. When one looks at the tasks which the troops on all sides were being asked to undertake, it is a wonder that revolutions did not break out in all of the combatant nations. Whatever one thinks of the Bolsheviks, there is a case for arguing that they did the world a favour, by forcing the "democracies" to adopt more enlightened policies and attitudes. The soldiers and the masses had been acquainted with potent new ideas, and their co-operation and deference could no longer be taken for granted.

The picture concludes with the arrival of Lenin's train in Petrograd, an the film-makers thereby cleverly avoided having to cover the October Revolution itself.

Lenin.....The Train is surprisingly good and "learned" for a made-for-TV production The acting clearly lifts it, as does a sensitive and balanced exploration of many of the crucial issues.

Franz Klammer, Innsbruck, 1976

As the 2014 Winter Olympics open, my thoughts go back to memories of previous Games. One feat and one performance springs to mind, above all others;Franz Klammer's gold medal run in the men's downhill race at Innsbruck in 1976.

That race stands out for me for several reasons. Firstly, 1976 is the first Winter Olympics which I can remember. I have no recollection whatsoever of Sapporo in 1972 (I was only two years old at the time). Secondly, this run, lasting less than two minutes, not only transcended skiing, it also transcended sport itself, and is probably the one ski race that even non-skiing fans would be able to recognize or recall. It was not just that he won that was significant, but the manner of his victory.

The stage was set perfectly. Klammer was drawn as the last of the top seeds in the running order, starting fifteenth, and was confronted by a formidable benchmark set by the defending champion, Bernard Russi of Switzerland. He was also the favourite for the gold medal, and was competing in front of his adoring but demanding home Austrian crowd - a double edged sword.

What transpired was one of the most audacious and spine-tingling sporting spectacles ever witnessed. Klammer seemed to throw caution to the wind, knowing that he had to take risks to overhaul Russi's time. There were several moments when he looked destined to stumble or fall, but through a combination of skill, confidence, raw courage, and even a modicum of good fortune, he stayed on the course, and won the gold medal by 0.33 seconds.

Individual sports such as downhill skiing differ subtly from other pursuits because of the contest between athlete, himself and the elements. On this occasion, Klammer conquered both himself and the elements, achieving the pinnacle of his career, as well as giving us a supreme example of sporting theatre. I understand that in Austria, that Klammer tour-de-force is still regarded as a milestone in the country's popular-cultural history. The nation literally came to a standstill for those moments.

In retrospect, I also think that Klammer's gold-medal heroics are important in another context. Even in 1976, hard-nosed professionalism and commercialism were beginning to encroach on even "amateur" sports. That run perhaps represents one of the last hurrahs for a more dashing, cavalier and unorthodox ethos.

Those people who cling religiously to their own favourite sports and narrow partisan allegiances for inspiration should check out a video of Klammer's run. Their eyes will hopefully be opened.