From 1989 to 1991 a string of unpredictable and inescapable events happened. A jolting acceleration of history brought to light the rivalry between two men and their struggle for power: Gorbachev, hindered by the economic results of his perestroika, and Yeltsin, embodying the hopes of the Russian people. Illustrated with interviews of top protagonists such as Mikhail Gorbachev himself, the documentary recounts the critical last two years of the USSR and sheds light on events that led to the sudden collapse of one of the most totalitarian empires of the 20th century.

Originally released by Film Ideas, 2012. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on March 15, 2019.

After the Berlin Wall (3:23); --Malta Summit (2:55); -- Lithuanian Independence (1:55); -- Political Reforms (2:52); -- 500 Day Program Failure (2:17); -- Boris Yeltsin (2:44); -- Filling a Power Vacuum (3:38); -- Violence in Vilnius (3:36); -- Opposing Powers (1:38); -- G7 Summit (2:13); -- Planning a Coup (4:28); -- Coup Attempt (3:58); -- Fabricating a State of Emergency (2:41); -- Peaceful Disbanding (2:12); -- Gorbachev's Fall from Power (3:41); -- Transfer of Power (2:20); -- Belovezha Accords (1:53); -- New Russian Leadership (3:52); -- Credits: Last Days Of The USSR, The (0:51); .