| “ | I'm in, I'm in. That f*cker thinks he can take on the Red Army? I f*cked Germany. I think I can take a flesh lump in a f*cking waistcoat. | „ |
| ~ Field Marshal Zhukov about Beria. |
Field Marshal Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov is a major character in the 2017 satirical black comedy film The Death of Stalin, based on the graphic novel of the same name. He is the head of the Red Army who assists Nikita Khrushchev in his efforts to overthrow Lavrentiy Beria.
He was portrayed by Jason Isaacs, who also voiced the Grand Inquisitor.
What Makes Him Magnificent?[]
- Jason Isaacs delivers an iconic and memorable performance as him throughout the film.
- Is established as a badass and competent war hero, having defeated Nazi Germany and won so many medals that the film's costume department struggled to fit them all on Isaacs' chest.
- Treats his subordinates in the Red Army with respect unlike the other Soviet officials who disrespect, abuse and even kill their subordinates.
- When approached by Khrushchev to help overthrow the sadistic Beria he immediately agrees after joking around for a few seconds.
- Proposes the day of Stalin's funeral for the coup against Beria because the entire army will be in Moscow for the service.
- Using the funeral service as a distraction, he has his officers infiltrate the Kremlin and rig up an electrical system that Khrushchev can use to signal the start of the coup.
- Smuggles several weapons into the building under his coat so he and his officers can storm the Presidium meeting and arrest Beria.
- Arranges for the Red Army to swiftly and efficiently take control of the city, imprison Beria's henchmen and rescue the underage girls he's taken prisoner.
- Shows genuine disgust for Beria and his crimes during the latter's trial.
- Overall he is the least villainous of all the officials shown in the film, lacking any involvement in Stalin's purges or the political scheming going on in Moscow.
What Makes Him A Baddie?[]
- Violently beats up Stalin's son Vasily for making a scene during the funeral, afterwards bluntly telling Vasily's sister that he enjoyed it.
- Threatens to brutalise a random Kremlin staffer for interrupting his meeting with Khrushchev.
- Purges the NKVD during the coup with several officers being killed or imprisoned.
Trivia[]
- The real-life Marshal Zhukov had even more medals than the vast amount shown in the film.