I. G. Bolshakov, Communication of the President of the Cinematography Committee on a Proposal to Present W. Churchill the Film “Rainbow”. May 25, 1944
Translated by James von Geldern
Original Source: Kino na voine: dokumenty i svidetel’stva, Moscow, Materik, 2008), p. 635.
To the Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU(b), Comrade A. S. Shcherbakov
Confidential
In agreement with the Western Division of the People’s Commissariat, the Cinematography Committee recently arranged for the head of the Russian department of the British Ministry of Information, Mr. SMOLLET to view the Soviet film “Rainbow” and the latest installments [of the newsreel] “Soouzkinozhurnal”. Attending the viewing for the English, besides Mr. Smollita [sic!] were the First Secretary of the British Embassy, Mr. LAWRENCE, Second Secretary, Mr. REAVEY and press attache Mr. BARFORD.
After the viewing, Mr. SMOLLET told Comrade Andrievskii, manager of “Soyuzintorgkino,” who had greeted him to the viewing, that the film “Rainbow,” in his opinion and the opinion of his colleagues, is an outstanding development in Soviet cinema, and not only the best Soviet film of all that he saw, but the best war movies made in any country during the war.
Further, Mr. SMOLLET expressed to Comrade ANDRIEVSKII the opinion that it would be highly desirable that a copy of the movie “Rainbow” be sent on behalf of Comrade STALIN as a gift to English Prime Minister Mr. Churchill, as he has no doubt that such a gift would hold great significance for Mr. Churchill, and on his part promised to provide widespread distribution of the film in England. However, Mr. SMOLLET said that to speed up delivery of the film to England, the British Embassy would assist by him by sending it on the diplomatic plane.