The screenplay "Suvorov" suffers from shortcomings. It is thin and poor in content. It is time to stop depicting Suvorov as a kindly old papa who keeps crowing "cock-a-doodle-doo" and repeating: "Russian, Russian." That is not the secret of Suvorov's victories.

The screenplay does not reveal the distinctive features of Suvorov's military policy and tactics: 1) a correct assessment of the enemy's weaknesses and the ability to exploit them to the fullest; 2) a well-thought-out and bold offensive combined with a flanking maneuver to strike the enemy's rear; 3) the ability to select experienced and courageous commanders and direct them toward the objective of the strike; 4) the ability to boldly promote those who have distinguished themselves to high positions, contrary to the requirements of the "rules of rank," paying little heed to the official seniority and origin of those being promoted; 5) the ability to maintain stern, truly iron discipline in the army.

Reading the screenplay, one might think that Suvorov turned a blind eye to discipline in the army (that he did not value discipline highly) and that he prevailed not thanks to these distinctive features of his military policy and tactics, but mainly through kindness toward the soldiers and bold cunning toward the enemy, verging on adventurism. This is, of course, a misunderstanding, to put it mildly.

These remarks also apply to the well-known play "Suvorov" being performed at the Central House of the Red Army.

I. Stalin

June 9, 1940

RGASPI F. 558 Op. 11 D. 1124 L. 44.

Note:

Bolshakov I.G. -- Chairman of the Committee on Cinematography under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, Minister of Cinematography, Deputy Minister of Culture from 1939 to 1954.