What Is The Sixth of July About?
The premise of The Sixth of July in 377 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bleak winter of 1918, Moscow teeters on the edge of collapse. The city’s streets echo with the hollow sounds of hunger, foreign armies inching ever closer, and the frantic whispers of a nation trying to redefine itself. Against this backdrop, the Fifth All‑Russian Congress of Soviets gathers, a sprawling assembly that feels both a beacon of hope and a powder keg of competing ideologies. The atmosphere is thick with tension, the air charged by the clash of revolutionary fervor and the desperate need for stability, setting the stage for a story as much about the weight of history as the pulse of individual ambition.
Within the congress, a sharp divide begins to surface. Aleksandrov, a fiery delegate representing an underground Ukrainian peasant congress, delivers a impassioned appeal to reject the peace terms that many view as a betrayal. Across the hall, Lenin counters the call with a steely resolve, arguing that any new war would drown the fledgling Soviet project. Meanwhile, Dzerzhinsky watches the proceedings with a cold, calculating eye, his presence a reminder that the secret police never sleeps. These contrasting voices create a volatile mix, hinting at alliances that could shift with a single whispered word.
Beyond the polished chambers, a secretive faction of Left Socialist Revolutionaries begins to plot a dramatic gambit. Their aim is to eliminate the German ambassador, Wilhelm von Mirbach, hoping the act will ignite popular outrage and push Russia back into conflict with Germany. The plan, bold and reckless, reflects the desperation of those who see the current treaty as a death sentence for their revolutionary ideals. As whispers turn to actions, figures like Danishevsky, a negotiator tasked with delicate talks, and Boris Savinkov, a rebel whose name reverberates through the city’s underground, underscore the unseen forces that swirl beneath the surface.
The film balances the stark realism of a war‑torn capital with the feverish intensity of political intrigue. It draws viewers into a world where every speech, every decision, and every conspiratorial glance could tip the balance between order and chaos. The mood is one of impending storm—an uneasy blend of historical gravitas and the suspense of a thriller—leaving the audience to wonder which side will seize the reins of a Russia on the brink of transformation.
What Happens in The Sixth of July?
The complete story of The Sixth of July, from the first scene to the last, in 282 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In Russia, hunger, devastation and intervention set the stage for a turning point as the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers, Peasants, Red Army and Cossack Deputies opens in Moscow on July 4, 1918. Within the revolutionary ranks, a split widens: the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries seek to wrest power from the Bolsheviks. At the request of the Left Socialist-Revolutionary faction, a representative of the underground Ukrainian peasant congress, Aleksandrov, addressed the deputies with a fiery speech urging them to vote against the Brest-Litovsk treaty. Lenin, Yuriy Kayurov, spoke against any war with the German Empire, and the congress adopts a Bolshevik resolution approving the activities of the Council of People’s Commissars.
On July 6, the Central Committee of the Left Socialist Revolutionary Party gathers in emergency session. To break the Brest-Litovsk treaty, which they see as counterrevolutionary, they decide to physically eliminate the German ambassador Wilhelm von Mirbach. The assassination signals the start of an uprising. One by one the buildings of the most important city services fall into the hands of the revolutionaries. Dzerzhinsky, Vasili Lanovoy, and Latsis are arrested. A message is received from Yaroslavl about a rebellion led by the Socialist Revolutionary Boris Savinkov. By evening, using their last reserves, the Bolsheviks send delegates to labor collectives for mass agitation and organization of the defense of the city. They resolve to counteract the uprising with a coordinated military force, not just volunteers.
At dawn, units of the Latvian Riflemen enter the city. Danishevsky, sent for negotiations, completes his mission. After several hours of heavy fighting, the Left Socialist Revolutionary uprising is crushed.
On July 9, 1918, the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets continues its work under Bolshevik one-party rule.
The Sixth of July Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Fifth All-Russian Congress opens in Moscow” to “Congress continues under Bolshevik one-party rule”. 14 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Fifth All-Russian Congress opens in Moscow
On July 4, 1918 the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets opens in Moscow amid hunger and upheaval. The session is marked by a split, with the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries challenging Bolshevik authority. Lenin delivers a keynote, and the congress ultimately endorses a Bolshevik resolution supporting the Council of People's Commissars.
When:July 4, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 2
Left SRs push to reject Brest-Litovsk
Within the congress, the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries advocate rejecting the Brest-Litovsk treaty. Aleksandrov, a representative from the underground Ukrainian peasant congress, delivers a fiery speech urging deputies to oppose the treaty. The atmosphere intensifies as the Left SRs position themselves against the Bolshevik leadership.
When:July 4, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 3
Bolshevik consolidation affirmed by Lenin’s stance
Lenin speaks against waging war with the German Empire, arguing for a strategic stance that aligns with Bolshevik goals. Following his speech, the congress adopts a Bolshevik resolution endorsing the activities of the Council of People's Commissars. The mood shifts toward consolidating Bolshevik control over the revolutionary process.
When:July 4, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 4
Emergency Left SR meeting on breaking the treaty
On July 6, the Central Committee of the Left Socialist Revolutionary Party holds an emergency meeting. They resolve to physically eliminate the German ambassador Wilhelm von Mirbach to break the Brest-Litovsk treaty. The decision marks a turning point toward open rebellion.
When:July 6, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 5
Assassination of Wilhelm von Mirbach
The assassination of the German ambassador signals the outbreak of a broader uprising. The act triggers widespread chaos as revolutionary factions seize control of key city institutions. The event immediately escalates the confrontation between the Left SRs and the Bolsheviks.
When:July 6, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 6
Uprising expands as city services fall under rebel control
Soon after Mirbach’s assassination, important city services fall into the hands of the revolutionaries. Buildings once held by the state are seized in quick succession as the revolt spreads through Moscow. The lack of centralized command prompts the need for rapid reorganization by the Bolsheviks.
When:July 6-7, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 7
Dzerzhinsky and Latsis are arrested
As the uprising unfolds, security forces move against key Bolshevik figures, resulting in the arrest of Dzerzhinsky and Latsis. The arrests illustrate the depth of the political crisis and the volatility within Moscow's power struggle. The confrontation intensifies as both sides jockey for leverage.
When:July 6-7, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 8
News from Yaroslavl about Boris Savinkov’s rebellion
A message arrives from Yaroslavl reporting a separate rebellion led by Socialist Revolutionary Boris Savinkov. The intelligence underscores a broader, nationwide challenge to Bolshevik authority. The city’s leaders must contend with simultaneous uprisings beyond Moscow.
When:July 6-7, 1918 Where:Yaroslavl
- 9
Bolsheviks mobilize labor collectives for defense
By evening, the Bolsheviks deploy mass agitation among labor collectives and organize the defense of the city. Delegates are sent to workplaces to rally workers and coordinate resistance. The move signals a shift from lone protests to organized, state-backed defense.
When:Evening of July 6, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 10
Uprising countered with organized military force
The Bolsheviks resolve to counter the uprising not with volunteers but with an organized military force. This decision reflects the seriousness of the threat and the Bolsheviks’ intent to reclaim control quickly. The approach prioritizes discipline and centralized command over ad hoc volunteers.
When:July 6, 1918 Where:Moscow
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- 11
Latvians riflemen enter the city at dawn
At dawn, units of the Latvian Riflemen enter Moscow to bolster the defense. Their arrival marks a critical turning point in the battle to quell the uprising. Dense fighting continues as loyal forces regain ground from the rebels.
When:Dawn July 7, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 12
Danishevsky negotiates a resolution
Danishevsky is sent to negotiate and completes his mission successfully. The negotiations aim to de-escalate the conflict and prevent further bloodshed. The attempt underscores attempts at diplomacy amidst civil upheaval.
When:July 7, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 13
Heavy fighting pacifies the uprising
After several hours of heavy fighting, the Left Socialist Revolutionary uprising is crushed. The resilience of loyal forces, aided by the Latvian Riflemen, brings Moscow back under Bolshevik control. The city braces for the aftermath and political consolidation.
When:July 7-8, 1918 Where:Moscow
- 14
Congress continues under Bolshevik one-party rule
On July 9, the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets resumes its work, now operating under Bolshevik one-party rule. The shift marks the consolidation of power and the suppression of the LeftSR challenge. The event closes the immediate crisis and sets the stage for a new political era.
When:July 9, 1918 Where:Moscow
Who Are the Main Characters in The Sixth of July?
10 characters, among them Maria Spiridonova (Alla Demidova), Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich (Yuriy Nazarov) and Prosh Proshyan (Armen Dzhigarkhanyan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Maria Spiridonova (Alla Demidova)
Played by Alla Demidova
A prominent Left Socialist Revolutionary figure at the congress, she embodies the faction’s challenge to Bolshevik hegemony during the July crisis. Her presence underscores the ideological conflict and the stakes of the decision to resist or accept the Brest-Litovsk policy.
- 🎭 Left Socialist Revolutionary
- 🧭 Ideological conflict
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Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich (Yuriy Nazarov)
Played by Yuriy Nazarov
A Bolshevik delegate who helps coordinate the defense and responses to the uprising. He represents the party’s organizational resolve and willingness to use force to preserve power.
- 🎯 Bolshevik
- 🗳️ Political strategy
- PP
Prosh Proshyan (Armen Dzhigarkhanyan)
Played by Armen Dzhigarkhanyan
A member of the Left Socialist Revolutionary faction involved in critical decisions during the crisis. His actions mirror the factional debates that shaped the uprising’s course.
- 🎭 Left Socialist Revolutionary
- ⚖️ Strategic actor
- VL
Vladimir Lenin (Yuriy Kayurov)
Played by Yuriy Kayurov
The Bolshevik leader whose speeches and positions influence the congress’s stance on war with Germany. His influence helps steer the party’s approach to the crisis and the prosecution of the uprising.
- 🏛️ Lenin
- 🧭 Leadership
- FD
Felix Dzerzhinsky (Vasili Lanovoy)
Played by Vasili Lanovoy
Head of security who becomes a central figure in enforcing the defense of the city. His role reflects the hardline security response that accompanies revolutionary upheaval.
- 🛡️ Security
- 🗡️ Repression
- DP
Dmitri Popov (Aleksandr Yanvaryov)
Played by Aleksandr Yanvaryov
A Bolshevik official involved in the events and emergency measures. He embodies the party’s active, on-the-ground organization during the crisis.
- 🎯 Bolshevik
- 🗺️ Political organizer
- NP
Nikolai Podvoisky (Vladimir Samoylov)
Played by Vladimir Samoylov
An early Bolshevik figure who helps drive the party’s response to the uprising. His role illustrates the rapid mobilization and planning that followed the crisis.
- 🎯 Bolshevik
- 🧭 Strategy
- YS
Yakov Sverdlov (Vladimir Tatosov)
Played by Vladimir Tatosov
A central Bolshevik leader whose decisions shape the party’s coordinated action during the revolt. He represents the executive arm of the revolutionary government.
- 🧭 Leadership
- 🌀 Centralization
- VB
Vladimir Bonch-Bruyevich (Georgiy Kulikov)
Played by Georgiy Kulikov
A key party figure involved in high-level decisions about coping with the uprising and the push toward consolidating power.
- 🎯 Party leadership
- 🗳️ Politics
- IA
Inessa Armand (Nina Veselovskaya)
Played by Nina Veselovskaya
An associate of Lenin and a visible presence among revolutionary circles. Her portrayal highlights the involvement of Anna Armand’s circle in shaping ideological and political currents.
- 📝 Revolutionary
- 🗝️ Ideology
Where and When Is The Sixth of July Set?
The Sixth of July is set in Moscow and Russia (July 1918). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
July 1918
The narrative unfolds from July 4 to July 9, 1918, against the backdrop of post-revolutionary Russia and the failed Brest-Litovsk negotiations. The assassination of the German ambassador sparks an uprising, prompting a rapid military response and a brutal consolidation of power. The period marks the shift toward Bolshevik one-party rule.
Where
Moscow, Russia
In July 1918 Moscow becomes the epicenter of a violent power struggle between Bolsheviks and the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries. The city endures street fighting and the seizure of key services as factions clash over the revolution’s future. The film frames Moscow as both battlefield and stage for decisive political maneuvers.
- 🏛️ City
- 🧭 Political upheaval
- 🗺️ Moscow
What Are the Themes of The Sixth of July?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power Struggle, Political Intrigue and Uprising and Consolidation.
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01
Power Struggle
The film centers on a brutal clash between rival factions within the revolutionary movement. It shows how the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries attempt to overturn Bolshevik dominance, while the Bolsheviks mobilize organized force to defend their authority. The struggle unfolds across the city as factions vie for control of the state’s direction.
-
02
Political Intrigue
Behind public speeches lies a web of secret meetings, shifting alliances, and urgent decisions that determine loyalties. The narrative highlights strategic maneuvering among leaders, deputies, and party organizers as they navigate a volatile crisis. Choices made in these rooms accelerate the move toward centralized, one-party governance.
-
03
Uprising and Consolidation
The uprising acts as both a spark of conflict and a turning point toward centralized power. The film traces how violence and mass agitation are deployed to suppress opposition and solidify Bolshevik control. It culminates in a reconfigured political order, with the congress continuing under one-party rule.
What Kind of Film Is The Sixth of July?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A fast-paced, high-stakes political thriller steeped in the tense atmosphere of a failed coup, capturing the urgency and grim reality of revolutionary power struggles.
- tense
- conspiratorial
- urgent
- grim
- high stakes
- historical pressure
- political coup
- power struggle
- revolution
- betrayal
Content notes: political assassination, war violence, armed rebellion, political imprisonment.
Quiz
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