Reviews

I like this movie considering all the crap films made in my country for last 20 years. From my view it has almost no propaganda (ok, I'm brainwashed already). Narrator probably is telling less that he could, so some plot points are not that clear, but the film keeps you at the screen for all the time.

And final note to some historians here: if you mention history background and occupation of Brest by Soviet Union in 1939, please go further and mention that it was taken by Poland from Russia in 1919, it was behind the Curzon line (the Poland people were not the majority of population) and should have stayed the Russian city.

As a Russian - This film is good in the sense that it can bring some attention to the battles Russians fought against Nazis. I guess it is the only English title on this topic, while this front was the biggest, hardest and bloodiest one. From the other side it is full of myths, "western" myths about Red Army in WWII. There were no "zagradotryad"s in the city of Stalingrad, beside that "zagradotryad"s were never deployed right behind attacking forces, shooting their backs. Instead there were behind front lines catching deserters (some were shot, but most of them were sent back) The river crossing at day light under Nazis shells and bombers do happen - but only ONCE, and it was HIGHLY critical for holding the city at that moment. Russian soldiers were not taken as sheeps into Stalingrad, they fight for their motherland, and everybody knew about significance of this citadel. And much much more, but, I can only recommend (to those who are interested in topic) to read excellent book by Michael Jones "Stalingrad: How the Red Army Triumphed". As far as I can judge, it is free from Anti-Communist as well as Communist myths, and based on veteran's interviews - very easy to read.