Marking a hundred years since the Russian Revolution, Hollywood actor Brian Cox travels to Russia to uncover stories of Scots who made this vast country their own. During the communist era, he spent time teaching theatre students at Moscow Arts Theatre under a scheme called Raising the Curtain. This experience instilled in him a lifelong passion for Russia and now he returns to meet the students from that period. Brian revisits the tumultuous history of Russian times, including the 1917 revolution, the Stalinist purges, and the Siege of Leningrad, which created surprising bonds between our two countries. The series also explores three hundred years of shared history between Russia and Scotland, tracing back to mercenaries who helped shape Peter the Great's army and Scottish industrialists who introduced football to St. Petersburg. It celebrates the poetry of Mikhail Lermontov and his 'Yearning' for the Scottish Highlands as well as the Russian passion for Robert Burns.
Brian Cox's Russia
Marking its 100th anniversary, Hollywood star Brian Cox embarks on a journey to uncover tales of Scottish immigrants who shaped Russia into a nation. Initially immersed in Soviet-era Russia, he now shares insights from his experiences with former students and locals, shedding light on the diverse...
