London, November 17 – A meeting with Charlie Chaplin. He jumps up during the showing. Exclaims something. Says a lot about the film. Sends a note through Montagu.
His response to Enthusiasm:
“…Never had I known that these mechanical sounds could be arranged to sound so beautiful. I regard it as one of the most exhilarating symphonies I have heard. Mr. Dziga Vertov is a musician. The professors should learn from him, not quarrel with him. Congratulations.”
—Charles Chaplin

The Donbas is a region of the Eastern Ukraine, southwest of the Donets river.

Included in the initial sound sequence of eh film are chanting, hymns and ritual weeping from the Orthodox divine liturgy. At several points the former czarist anthem (“Lord, Preserve the Tzar) does battle with other sounds.

A woman is seen adjusting a radio receiver:
“ATTENTION, ATTENTION. LENINGRAD SPEAKING... RV 3... AT A WAVELENGTH OF 1,000 METERS. WE NOW BROADCAST THE MARCH, “THE FINAL SUNDAY” FORM THE FILM SYMPHONY OF THE DONBAS...’

An Orthodox priest chants “anathema” upon the Soviet regime.

An anti-religious rally with placards, mock figures, etc. A church is transformed into a Soviet Youth Club for factory workers. Workers shout:
HURRAH!

The following words appear on the screen:
PLAN
PLAN
PLAN
....................FOR SOCIALISM
....................FOR SOCIALISM
....................FOR SOCIALISM

a voice:
IT WAS IN THE DONBAS... IN THE DAYS OF A 5-YEAR PLAN IN 1030...

Songs and dances of collective farmers, workers sing.
A voice:
A BATTLE WITH SONGS...
etc.

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