A historical drama. The picture that the author of this review should have seen for a very long time, but he could not do it until today, which he regrets. There were a lot of words of praise about her, and the audience's assessment was very conducive to watching. And after committing this action, we can safely say that the audience was right. After all, this picture deserves all the words that were said to her. And here is a brief opinion - Excellent Soviet military historical films. Despite the good attitude and very pleasant emotions, the author of this review will note both the advantages of this painting and its disadvantages (which are present). And this should end the introduction and proceed to the analysis.
So, the advantages:
1. The script is 1943. Murmansk region. The USSR and Germany are fighting for the northern polar latitudes, which are strategically important for both sides. For Germany, this is the capture of Murmansk and the termination of the Arctic convoys of the United States and Great Britain to the USSR and the safe delivery of minerals by water transport to occupied Norway. For the USSR, this is the protection of Murmansk and Allied convoys, as well as the obstruction of German shipping near the Norwegian fjords. The basis of the Soviet Northern Fleet are submarines of the "Shch" type, on one of which Alexey Petrovich Strogoff is listed as the commander. He and his submarine are considered the thunderstorm of the German navy and "happy" because of the fulfillment of the most impossible tasks. We will be shown the life and service of Soviet submariners, and the hunt for this submarine of the German surface fleet. They will reveal the character of both Strogoff and his subordinates, and at the same time demonstrate several dangerous trips into enemy waters, during which the Nazis will suffer enormous damage. The script is simple, without unnecessary fuss, shows the heroic crew and the hardships of the war, and the dramatic finale will even make you cry.
2. Entourage - the ongoing Great Patriotic War is very much woven into the fabric of the narrative, which is why you believe what is happening on the screen. Dialogues, the severity of everyday life, meetings with Western allies, the desire of all sailors to benefit the Motherland, the patience of Soviet women waiting for their loved ones to return to shore. The hunt for the Soviet submarine of the Germans and so on. The song "Holy War" was also not forgotten. The friendship of peoples in the USSR is also clearly demonstrated.
3. Acting is a Soviet film and theater school, where he studies absolutely shamelessly today. Emotions - only if they are needed at the moment, composure - at the moment of battle, intimate conversation - perfectly reveals the characters. Although the main audience emotions are mercilessly stolen by Peter Velyaminov and Donatas Banionis.
So, the disadvantages:
1. Editing - it feels like it was done in a hurry, because there is one scene, and then, in one second, it is replaced by another. And how did the previous one end? After all, it was shown to us for a reason. And so it goes not once, not twice, or even three times. What happened to the editor? It remains a mystery.
2. Fast - the picture is very fast, and it ends literally in an instant. Was someone rushing the creators there? It is extremely difficult to explain such a significant moment otherwise. Because of this speed, the viewer does not have time to feel the drama. The picture could have been safely stretched to two hours, it would not have lost its best qualities - the brightness of the characters and happiness for the Soviet people who won the Great Patriotic War.
3. What happened to the crew members in the final? - this issue will never be solved. They only showed us two. Two, and there were much more declared characters. Are the others not worth mentioning? Even in the credits? Apparently not.
A little bit about the main characters:
1. Captain Strogoff, performed by Pyotr Velyaminov, is the commander of the "happy" submarine, the most productive in the Northern Fleet, for which we honor our superiors, allies and love the crew for their paternal care. He shows himself as a competent commander, able to make the right decision in difficult times. Peter Sergeyevich was great. Bravo! You believe in his commander!
2. Commissioner Viktor Ionovich Sherknis, played by Donatas Banionis, is the second man on the submarine after the captain, an honest communist who knows Strogoff perfectly and supports him both at sea and on shore. Donatas Yuozovich was just as great as Pyotr Sergeevich. Bravo!
Of course, there are historical inaccuracies in the picture, although the creators were largely inspired by two real cases that occurred in 1942 with Soviet submarines, and Strogoff's hunt for German large-tonnage transport was clearly inspired by the feat of Alexander Marinesko (although in reality Soviet submariners of the Northern Fleet hunted both convoys and the battleship Tirpitz). But all this does not make the picture bad. It still continues to be a high-quality work (not without some drawbacks). It is extremely sad that the new generation of viewers does not know about this picture at all.
A score of 9 out of 10 and a recommendation to watch!
