Revolt in Berlin dates to 1954, roughly a year after riots shook Soviet-controlled East Berlin. It is an anti-Communist film produced by Providence Bible Institute. The prologue of the film features Dr. Howard W. Ferrin, president of the Institute. The movie depicts a man named Chris’s voyage from America to Germany, where he intends to write articles on human interest topics such as refugees from East Germany and the Christian situation there. Additionally, he aims to convert Erika, a woman he fell in love with during his last visit to Germany, despite her aversion to religion and communism. In the latter part of the film, Bill, Erika’s boss, and Chris have dinner, during which Bill informs Chris about the impending 1953 uprising in East Germany. The film showcases footage of the 1953 rebellion. According to a press release, it also contains smuggled pictures of Communist trained youth groups. The film features Imogene Kelly, Walter Vovell, Ethel Barrett, Paul Haueter, Herber Kumller and Klaus Schrotler. Director: David Ferrin
The opening scene of the film features a globe (0:10), followed by a shot of Karl Marx’s book “Capital” on screen (0:17). The Holy Bible is presented in contrast to Marx’s work (0:35). A map of the Soviet-controlled zone in Germany is displayed (1:57), with footage of Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport shown shortly after (6:51). The East/West German border in the Russian zone is also shown (7:57). The protagonist, Chris, is seen opening a portable Royal typewriter in his room (8:40), while Erika is shown typing on a German typewriter (brand unspecified) (10:41). The name of the company where Erika works is displayed on a door (11:05), and the Kaiser Wilhelm Church and the ruins of the Gestapo headquarters are shown on screen (14:15-14:36). A man reuniting with his family after escaping from East Germany is also shown (14:57-15:35), followed by a shot of a napkin from the restaurant Kottler’s (16:49), where Chris and Bill are shown having a conversation about the 1953 East German uprising, with many names mentioned (17:19), and RIAS, the American station that broadcasted to East Germany, is also referenced (18:02). RIAS Berlin Commission founded in 1946, in recognition of the merits of RIAS Berlin (Radio in the American Sector) as a “free voice of the free world” from 1946 to 1993. A calendar displaying the date Wednesday, June 17th, 1953 is shown (19:41), as well as a 1953 Volkswagen Beetle (19:52) and a banner with words of encouragement in German (20:04). A Communist loudspeaker and East German police headquarters are shown (20:19-21:33), with a Soviet T-34-85 tank making an appearance (22:08). The movie also features footage of the Brandenburg Gate (23:48) and Soviet or Red Army infantry men (25:06), followed by a conversation between Erika and Chris about communism and religion (25:22-27:33). The film ends (27:42).
Providence Bible Institute, originally named Bethel Bible Training School, was established in 1900 in Spencer, Massachusetts by E.W. Kenyon, the pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church. In 1923, the school was relocated to Dudley, Massachusetts and renamed the Dudley Bible Institute. During the 1920s, Dr. Howard W. Ferrin became the president of the institute and held the position for 40 years. He renamed the school Providence Bible Institute in 1929 and relocated it to Capitol Hill in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1950, the college acquired a 150-acre estate in Barrington called Belton Court. However, in 1960, the Providence campus was sold, and the college was renamed Barrington College, and has been a part of Gordon College for many years. The film was
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