28 Soldiers - Die Panzerschlacht

You won't believe that movie with the budget of 5 million dollars (by the time it was produced, now with the current currency value it is lower) can look like a 100 million dollars blockbuster. In the cinema it hits your brain like a truck. No CG-rendering of tanks, all those models of Pz-III, Pz-IV were scratch-built or borrowed from museums, though some models were smaller than real (like 1:1,5) and put after combined view processing. Guns shooting real bullets (experts of WWII might prove that), that's why sounds are real. All the blasts are real as well. Also the details of clothes, ammunition and tactics from both sides are perfectly given and approved by team of historical experts helping the director. The only woman in the movie takes like 16 seconds of your attention, all the 2 hours are about War. All in all, if you didn't understand earlier how Nazis lost 80% of their total armies in the East Front, that is a quite an example of real battle happened 16th November 1941 under Moscow near Dubosekovo (Petelino).

First off, don't pay attention to frostvortex's review since he/she is a troll spreading lies.

Panfilov's 28 battle is not a myth and is documentally proved by both Russian and German sources, the only inconsistency is the number 28 which is not correct. There were more than 100 fighters, and the movie also reflects that.

The movie is very dry but unique in its language. Don't expect anything Hollywood-like. It does not depict complex plots, flashbacks or tear-filled love story, no bursts of emotions, it does not have a main hero. It is almost documental since the viewer is indifferently thrown into one day of Panfilov's men life without being much prepared for it. No one cares about being introduced or explained to the viewer as everyone are busy preparing to fight the Nazi tanks. But each character's individuality can be recognized though the dialogs.

Next comes the battle which is just great. You have to hear that sound. You have to see it. No gibs, no gore, but it is really scary ang gives great impression of what Red Army soldiers have gone through. It literally puts you into their trench. Also, no super-heroes. Just the ordinary people who modestly gave their lives to stop the Nazis.

The level of realism and historical details is very high. You will see proper explosions, proper guns, proper tanks, proper uniforms and other things from that exact time.

Go and watch it.

Amazing movie! The story is simple, close to ascetic. It might be not what you used to hear/see, but it is served to you marvelously! Every single scene is a piece of cinematography art. The preparation work is extraordinary. Attention to every detail is exceptional, though this is not merely a reconstruction, but a full war drama, based on real events. Visual impression is extremely engaging. Simply put, You will be one of them. Sound is convincing, giving the audience the effect of being right there on the spot. Though in this case you wouldn't have heard the music, which is excellent too. I am not sure if all the dialogues in the movie will be (or could be) interpreted into English (or other language in your Country) adequately, but I hope so. Wish you enjoy this masterpiece like I did.

This film is about ordinary heroes and simple feat. It ordinary people protect what they hold dear, in the main it the memory of ancestors, whose feat gave us life.

Many talk about the doubts about the feat, talk about the propaganda that that there is no talking teapots and assistants of the protagonist, and no hysterical howls of frightened people here warriors, soldiers came to protect your home. People have taken the path of the world's evil and safely carry out their work in the face of true death.

In conclusion to quote one of the characters: Now all the heroes, because the time is.

A very strong film made with great respect to our ancestors who fought for life, for people, for Motherland. It is about simple people who contribute themselves to collective - and as positive feedback it helps them find right motivation, do better than they could and become real heroes. This film is about Heroes who faced the most horrific human evil and crushed it with their will. My great-fathers and great-mothers too stood before fascists and stopped them before Moscow. I feel no shame before them for this film, for it is truly brilliant. I wish all modern films about the Great Patriotic War were made with such soul, love and attention to details.

My thanks to all who created the film and to all who helped!