Malcolm E. Brown the famed British musicologist has declared Volkov's "Testimony" to have no claim to authenticity. The original manuscript has never been published (it is in Russian). Those who knew Shostakovich would know that what Volkov has Shostakovich say would not be in the "voice" of Shostakovich. Volkov was born in 1944, whereas Shostakovich was born on 1906. They only met about 3 times and were not close friends. It is highly unlikely that Shostakovich would confide to an mere acquaintance who was 38 years younger then himself. Volkov went to USA in 1976, with "Testimony", a supposed biography published in 1979; where it would find a ready market. Volkov wrote his "biography" after the death of Shostakovich (in 1975); and has added more since then, but will not allow the original manuscripts to be examined. Let Shostakovich's music speak for itself.

A very fine film, with an excellent performance by Ben Kingsley. Many thanks to the uploader for uploading!

The composer's son bears witness to the truth and authenticity of Testimony. Volkov's credibility as the authentic conveyor of the composers thoughts and words is hard to challenge with any facts. Testimony displays a whole man and a whole life, warts and all. If the intention was to turn the composer into a saint, it failed utterly.

The actual content of "Testimony" is what makes it worth reading and it is a worthwhile read.

I've wanted to see this movie again for so long, and it's not on Netflix. But musicin37 and KZfaq have come through. Thanks!

I am in this film. True story.

Thank you! I saw a chunk of this movie years ago It's not often the life of a composer is the subject of a film. This one has pulled me in so far since he lived in interesting times n the Chinese sense of the word. Since that partial viewing, , I've heard a great deal of Shostakovich's music. Haitink/RCO's version of the 5th Symphony is in Tom Moon's "1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die." It's the version he should have lived to hear.

Beautiful upload ! Thanks a lot

"He said that his symphonies are tombstones." This quote is recorded in Testimony, so how can we be sure he even said this? How can we 'understand' him better when we don't even know whether or not the basis for the opinions we form about him is factual or not?

It was reported by Rostropovich as reported in one of the record review magazines.

Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (25 September 1906 - 9 August 1975) ♬

1 Dislike. Must've been Stalin...

Que alguien ponga substitutos en español a esta película, por favor.

One can accept both that Shostakovich wasn't an unconditional supporter of the Soviet government and that Volkov is a fraud. I've never understood why people think of these as contradictory ideas.

Y-a-t'il une version avec des stitres en français? Merci.

@katar1i It's Chopin's Funeral March.

I'm with @darinraychev! I've been trying to find a download, but I can't.

In 1:00 is Khatchaturian ?

The book is merely sarcastic humor about life under the Communist Russian system. I only made it through half the book for it's boredom. The movie is hardly a reflection of the book and I don't see how Volkov rates as being a consultant to the movie or his book having any reference as being the basis for this movie. Some people call the book a falsification... who cares? We understand Shostakovich better because of this movie. He said that his symphonies are tombstones.

Barshai said it was all true.

Don't talk nonsense, it's an excellent film. Read Volkov again and try to understand.

I don't get why Volkov would waste his time making up the stuff written in the book Testimony. Some could be fake, but some that's written in there is absolutely too unique to be fake.

Utter crap. Very disappointed; (no offence to the fellow who posted this). The commentary of 'Dead Shostakovich' doesn't even correlate with his manner of speaking. D.S was never so 'sarcastic' in tone. His wit was far more deadpan and subtle; and more staccato, to the point. I should also point out that Volkov's 'Testimony' was a book ABOUT Shostakovich, not BY him. I am quite happy to take the book on this premise. Despite the controversy, I see no errant fraud at work.