Review of Fortress of War

A competently made war film with a strong patriotic tone. Most acting is good and the extras generally give a convincing impression of actually being soldiers (quite uncommon in a lot of war films). Costumes, sets and special effects are very good - amongst the best amongst modern Russian war films. Action, especially in the larger battles, often became unconvincing with Russian soldiers near universally portrayed as comically heroic. I completely understand the Russian desire to celebrate the heroism and suffer which occured in WW2, but this film goes too far. Exaggeration to this degree does no service to the real heroes of WW2 because it dehumanises them to become the immortal heroes of propaganda, thereby losing the real human stories and experiences. The characters became two dimensional patriots with unflinching resolve and loyalty. This is not a convincing depiction of events - from a histprical perspective. In the end Brestkaya Krepost is like a WW2 propaganda film created with modern cinematic competency. It is merely an entertaining display of WW2 themed violence and does not do justice to the actual defence of Brest Fortress. For a far better Russian WW2 film I would reccomend 'Come and See' 1985.