The Assassination of Trotsky

Watch The Assassination of Trotsky

  • R
  • 1972
  • 5.7  (1,938)

The Assassination of Trotsky, released in 1972, is a biographical film about the life and eventual death of famous Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky. The film stars Richard Burton as Trotsky, Alain Delon as his assassin Ramón Mercader, and Romy Schneider as Trotsky's wife Natalia Sedova. The movie, directed by Joseph Losey, depicts the events leading up to the titular assassination of Trotsky in Mexico City in 1940. The story begins with Trotsky in exile in Turkey, where he is guarded by an army of supporters who believe in his revolutionary cause. However, the Turkish government orders Trotsky to leave the country, and he and his wife Natalia are forced to travel to various other countries before finally settling in Mexico.

In Mexico, Trotsky continues to be a political threat to Stalin's Soviet Union, which has long been his enemy. Ramón Mercader, a communist sympathizer who has been groomed by the Soviet Union to infiltrate Trotsky's inner circle, befriends Natalia and becomes her personal assistant. Over time, the two become romantically involved, leading Natalia to trust Mercader implicitly.

Meanwhile, protests and political unrest in Mexico are mounting, and Trotsky becomes increasingly paranoid about his safety. Mercader exploits this paranoia, convincing Trotsky to let him take over the helm of his personal security detail. As Mercader becomes more deeply entrenched in Trotsky's household, he begins to plot the assassination.

The bulk of the film centers around the psychological games played by Mercader and Natalia, as they both manipulate Trotsky in order to achieve their own ends. Burton delivers a powerful performance as a man who knows he is in danger but cannot help but trust those around him; likewise, Delon is eerie and calculating as the man who has been given the task of killing him.

There are several standout moments in the film, including a tense scene in which Mercader finally carries out the assassination and a heartbreaking scene in which Natalia learns the truth about her lover's betrayal. The cinematography is striking, particularly in the scenes set in Turkey and Mexico, and the score is haunting and atmospheric.

Overall, The Assassination of Trotsky is a gripping and well-made film that does justice to its subject matter. It offers a fascinating look at the last years of Trotsky's life and the political machinations that led to his untimely demise. Fans of political thrillers and historical dramas will find plenty to enjoy in this nuanced and thought-provoking movie.

The Assassination of Trotsky is a 1972 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.

The Assassination of Trotsky
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Where to Watch The Assassination of Trotsky
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  • Release Date
    1972
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.7  (1,938)