In his 1964 biography, The Life and Death of Lenin, Robert Payne described Lenin as a “specter” whose impact on history “haunts the world.” The Bolshevik revolution was made possible by the German government’s decision in 1917 to smuggle Lenin across Germany in a sealed train with the intent of knocking Russia out of the war. This TV miniseries, here in two parts, recounts that fateful trip and events leading up to it. Ben Kingsley masterfully portrays Lenin. With English subtitles. Running time: 3 hours, 26 minutes.