Finne

What a fabulous drama-documentary! Very well done in all aspects and details. As I've never been interested in photography, Jacob Riis was unknown to me when I happened to see the program. In a matter of minutes I was captivated by his colourful and touching text, brilliantly brought out with every nuance by Peter Stormare, and those extraordinary photos. And such a GREAT idea to include pictures of today's "other half", that idea really made the message of Riis carry through to present day.

I've never seen a documentary like this. Absolutely 10/10 and I strongly recommend this program to EVERYONE!

This film is so CUTE! During the wars Finns made many movies with low budgets to give people something else to think about. This movie is based on a novel by Simo Penttilä and tells about adventures of Finn-born General T.J.A. Heikkilä and his loyal companions in Middle and South America, imaginative country of Sierranueva. A bit of shooting, some beautiful women, 'exotic' sceneries (created by "Roy", who was awarded with Jussi-statue, Finnish Oscar), revolutions and lots of jokes one really can't translate into English - shame, as Simo Penttilä was able to use our language in such innovative and hilarious way no-one this far has been able to imitate.

You can find all possible stereotypes: latino-lovers and latino-crooks, hot-blooded latino women, blood-thirsty Indians and such, and of course these witty and trustworthy Finns to clear things out, but do not get angry with us, please... This movie may not be very good as such, but it sure made me smile so so many times! Wonderful piece of nostalgia, and of course Tauno Palo, heart-throb for several generations of Finnish women...

Not many know of our wars. I really would love to see a movie made that not only describes the conditions and events that led to these wars, but also describes how our parents and their parents experienced the events both in the front and behind. I liked "Saving Private Ryan". I loved "Band of Brothers". But still, it's "Talvisota" and "Tuntematon Sotilas" that really make me feel the weight of war, the effect it has on human mind. "Talvisota" also brings forth the families who saw their fathers, sons, even daughters go to war, with pitiful equipment, maybe even carrying personal rifle as the army could not support them with much else than the blue&white coquards (or what it is called) for their hats. And it shows the pain those families felt when their menfolk came back in wooden caskets or crippled for life. It's also a fine story of personal courage of the ordinary guy, of friendship and loyalty. And of pain and fear.

See it.

And seeing some Russian war-films could also make you see the world a bit brighter. They have filmed some fantastic stories.