Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism - HOUR TWO is the second installment in a two-part documentary series. This segment examines the impact of socialism on Eastern Europe after World War II. The film tells the story of Estonia's struggle with socialism, which came into effect following the Soviet occupation of the country in 1940. The first half of the documentary focuses on the early years of socialism in Estonia, including the nationalization of industries and the establishment of collective farms.
The film uses archival footage and interviews with historians, economists and political leaders to provide an insight into the effects of socialism on the economy and the people of Estonia. The viewer is also provided with context on how the socialist system was implemented and how it differed from the capitalist system.
Henry Strozier narrates the film and Estonian politician Mart Laar is featured throughout. Laar served as Estonia's prime minister in the 1990s and is an expert on Soviet-era history. Also featured is journalist Ben Wattenberg, who provides American perspective on socialism's rise and fall.
The documentary shows how communism was able to take hold in Estonia because of the country's geopolitical situation. It was a pawn between Germany and Russia and was eventually swallowed up by the Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II.
Once the Soviets were in control, they implemented socialist policies that hindered the growth of the country's economy. Private ownership of land was abolished and everything was nationalized, including industry and agriculture. This led to a decrease in productivity and innovation, and the country's economy suffered greatly.
The documentary explores how the Estonian people resisted the Soviet regime and how they were able to maintain their identity despite the imposition of socialist policies. It also shows how the country was eventually able to break away from the Soviet Union and regain its independence.
Overall, Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism - HOUR TWO provides a compelling and informative look at the history of socialism in Estonia and how it affected the country's economy and people. The documentary is well-researched and presented in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner, making it accessible to viewers of all levels of knowledge on the subject. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Eastern Europe and the impact of socialism on the region.
Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism - HOUR TWO is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 54 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.