World War II Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West

World War II Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West is a six-episode series exploring the complex relationships between Joseph Stalin, Nazi Germany, and the Western Allies before, during, and after World War II.

The documentary delves into material from Soviet archives that became available after the fall of the Soviet Union. It combines narrative-led segments with dramatic reenactments featuring actors portraying key political figures of the era. The series covers significant events and decisions that shaped the course of the war and its aftermath.

One of the central themes is the evolving relationship between the Soviet Union and its allies. The documentary examines the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939, which initially aligned Stalin with Hitler, and the subsequent Operation Barbarossa that shattered this alliance. It also explores the uneasy partnership between Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt as they worked together to defeat Nazi Germany.

The series sheds light on lesser-known aspects of the war, such as the cover-up of the Katyn Forest Massacre and the agreements made at the Yalta Conference regarding post-war territorial gains for the Soviet Union. It also addresses the complex dynamics of the Eastern Front, including major battles like Stalingrad and Kursk, which proved crucial in turning the tide of the war.

The documentary provides insight into Stalin’s leadership during the war, his interactions with Western leaders, and the impact of his decisions on the Soviet people and Eastern Europe. It concludes by examining the immediate post-war period, including the division of Germany, the onset of the Cold War, and the lasting consequences of the wartime alliances.