VICTORY DAY PARADE - 2008:

Originally filmed in high definition, but since compressed for view on all TVs, what very little of the quality lost is amply made up for by the incredibly brilliant and vibrant colors of the scenery and soldiers of the Russian Federation on parade in Red Square on 09 May 2008, commemorating the defeat of Fascist Germany in the Second World War.  Once scorned and rejected in post-communist Russia, a spirit of pride and nostalgia for the USSR is very much reflected in both the uniforms and paraphernalia of the marching soldiers, as well as in the language of the defense minister, who addresses them as "tovarishchi" (comrades).  One may argue that this use of past symbols and language is just symbolic; reflecting the spirit of the first victory parade and its atmosphere in 1945.  Nonetheless, neither the current Russian president nor Putin, the so-called "advisor", who once ruled Russia and encourage this rebirth of Soviet nostalgia, seem to be upset at the many references to the Communist party in this parade.  Wonderful military displays of all the branches; stirring.  DON'T MISS IT!    (approx. 58 mins.; In Russian; excellenct quality).

THE FIRST SOVIET NEWSREELS  (1922):

This follow-up film neither compares in quality nor in color brilliance (black and white, in fact), but it is an interesting add-on, which shows some of the first newsreels about life in the post-civil war USSR.  Silent film with music has Russian captions, but, like the first film, even if you don't understand Russian, it's worth watching. 

(approx. 13 mins.; silent with Russian subs).

DVD-R IS APPROXIMATELY 71 MINUTES; excellent quality (the main film).