<P> Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi) arrives, followed by the rest of the Committee except for Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov (Michael Palin), who had been unknowingly added to one of Stalin's enemy lists the night before . Two factions swiftly emerge, Beria and Malenkov, and Khrushchev and Minister of Labour Lazar Kaganovich (Dermot Crowley), with the other Committee members remaining neutral but leaning towards Malenkov as his position seems strongest . Beria begins exerting his influence, closing off Moscow and having the NKVD take over all security duties in the city from the Red Army, as well as replacing Stalin's NKVD enemy lists with his own, reprieving Molotov . The two sides struggle for symbolic victories such as control over Stalin's children (Rupert Friend and Andrea Riseborough), until Stalin finally expires . The Committee members all desperately rush back to Moscow, as the NKVD loot Stalin's dacha and execute witnesses . </P> <P> Khrushchev goes to Molotov's home and attempts to enlist his support, but Molotov, as a true believer in Stalinism, opposes any factionalism within the Party, as Beria predicted he would when he chose to spare him . Beria further buys Molotov's loyalty by releasing his wife (Diana Quick) from confinement . Malenkov is named as nominal Premier while being largely controlled by Beria . At the first Committee meeting following Stalin's death, Beria strengthens his own position and sidelines Khrushchev by putting him in charge of Stalin's funeral . He also unexpectedly suggests many of the liberal reforms which Khrushchev himself had planned to introduce . Khrushchev feels compelled to argue against the reforms, but Beria and Malenkov railroad them through . </P> <P> Stalin's body is laid in state in the Hall of Columns for three days, while many political prisoners are released and restrictions on the Russian Orthodox Church are loosened, earning Beria more popular support . Meanwhile, Field Marshal Georgy Zhukov (Jason Isaacs), the leader of the Red Army, arrives and demands to know why the Army has been confined to barracks within Moscow . On the third night, Beria learns that Khrushchev has a passing acquaintance with Maria, who was hired to play at the funeral, and threatens her with the note . Realising that Beria could potentially tie him to treasonous activities, Khrushchev approaches Zhukov, who agrees to provide the Army's support in a coup to overthrow Beria, but only if he has the entire Committee with him . In an attempt to undermine Beria's popularity, Khrushchev orders the trains into Moscow to resume, allowing the thousands of mourners who wish to see Stalin's body into the city, hoping to provoke the NKVD . Sure enough, the NKVD guards manning the barricades around the Hall fire on the crowd, killing 1,500 people . The Committee suggests pinning the blame on some low - level NKVD officers, causing Beria to break down and indirectly threaten the Committee by revealing the incriminating documents he has collected on all of them, as he believes any blame attached to the security services will ultimately tarnish him . Beria is able to calm himself and agrees to the plan, but the other members are visibly shaken, except Malenkov, who remains convinced that Beria is his ally . </P> <P> The next day, Molotov secretly meets Khrushchev and Kaganovich, and tells them he will support them but only if they can enlist the support of the others, including Malenkov, as he still opposes any factionalism and desires the Committee to be united . The day of the funeral, Khrushchev fails to gain Malenkov's support, but tells the others and Zhukov that he has, winning the support of the Committee and the Army . The Red Army overwhelms the NKVD and takes up positions in the toilets next to the conference room the Committee will meet in after the funeral . At the meeting, Zhukov and his men take Beria into custody and Khrushchev coerces Malenkov into signing the necessary papers for Beria's arrest and trial . Krushchev and his allies find Beria guilty of treason and hundreds of sex crimes in a kangaroo court, and summarily execute him . As Beria's body is burnt, Khrushchev gives Stalina a one - way plane ticket to Vienna and assurances that her brother will be cared for (as it would be dangerous for him to spread his wild conspiracy theories). </P>

Who played georgy zhukov in the death of stalin