History as an Advertising Tool

In the mid-1990s, a Russian bank, the Bank Imperial (which, along with many other banks, went bankrupt in the 1998 Financial Crisis in Russia, which resulted, among other things, in yours truly coming to the USA) released a series of television commercials, which are considered to be among the best ever produced in Russia, and have entered the national consciousness. These commercials consist of a re-enactment of a famous scene from history, followed by the tagline – “World History, Bank Imperial.” A few days ago, I’ve ran across some of them on Youtube, and I now offer them for your viewing pleasure.

Count Suvorov:

Translation:
Catherine II: And why is Count Suvorov not eating anything?
Suvorov: It’s Lent, Great Mother, one cannot eat until the first star. We wait….
Catherine II: A star, for Suvorov, Alexander Vasilievich
Narrator: Catherine the Great, World History, Bank Imperial

Comments: Catherine II is, of course, more famous as Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. Count Suvorov is the famous Russian General who has never lost a battle. In Russia, he’s as famous as General Washington is in the US, and there is a military decoration, the Order of Suvorov, named after him (as well as a Russian military academy). The “star” Catherine gives Suvorov is the Order of St. Vladimir, an important Order of Chivalry.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Translation:
Narrator: On November 17th, 1812; at the River Berezina, the French forces were defeated once and for all. The Emperor Napoleon abandoned the remnants of his army, and fled to Paris, secretly.
Napoleon: Is there something you want, Madame?
Old Woman: I merely wish to look upon the face of my Emperor.
Napoleon: Look, Madam. This is for you. I look much better here.
Narrator: Napoleon Bonaparte, World History, Bank Imperial.

Ivan the Terrible

Translation:
Ivan IV: Darkness is upon us….DARKNESS! The boyars are looters of the treasury of the Russian land!
Crier: The boyars looted the treasury!
Ivan: They no longer wish to be defenders of Christendom!
Crier: The voivodes no longer defend us!
Ivan: They gave Russia to be devoured to Lithuania, to the Germans! Everyone thinks only of their own enrichment, forgetting about the Fatherland! Therefore, obeying the great sorrow, which fills my heart, I once more return to the reigns of the state, and I shall rule as an Autocrat!
Guy in crowd: On what conditions?
Ivan: You’ll find out later…
Narrator: Ivan the Terrible, World History, Bank Imperial

Comments: In the period depicted in this video, Ivan was deeply mistrustful of the boyars, whom he blamed for the death of his wife (she was, supposedly, poisoned). Also, he fell deathly ill, and asked the boyars to swear allegiance to his infant son. The boyars, thinking that the Tsar was dying and couldn’t punish them for their disloyalty, refused. Unfortunately for them, Ivan recovered. In 1564, Ivan IV abdicated the throne and retired to a monastery. As that left Russia without a divinely ordained ruler, the people begged him to return. Ivan did, on the condition that he will reign as an autocrat. He then proceeded to establish the Oprichnina, and launched the first Great Purge in Russian history, almost wiping out the boyars and their families in their entirety.

Tamerlane

Translation:
Narrator: Tamerlane’s Empire, 14th century. Going to war, Tamerlane ordered every warrior to leave a stone by the roadside. And there was war, and there was fire, and there was victory. And they returned, and they picked up their stones. But some stones remained. And the last came Tamerlane himself. And he picked up the heavy stones, and he spoke to them, remembering their names… Tamerlane, World History, Bank Imperial.

Conrad III

Translation:
Narrator: 12th century. The Holy Roman Emperor, Conrad III lay siege to the town of Weinsberg in Southern Germany. Outraged at the stubbornness of the defenders, he asked the women to leave the town, allowing them to take their most valuable possessions, but only those that they could carry by themselves. And then, the gates opened, and the astonished Emperor saw women, carrying their wounded husbands. Leading the way was the young Duchess of Welf, and Conrad had no choice but to make peace….Conrad III, World History, Bank Imperial.

Comments: A medieval German legend.

For more commercial goodness, click here