Salvando Leningrado

The Germans bombed a barge, it sank, and 800 or so people, mostly civilians, drowned. In the process, a few soldiers opened fire from rifles and downed both German fighters that attacked the barge. Seems like fantasy? Well, that's probably because it is. The barge in question did indeed sink, but not because of German attack. Mind you, the Germans did occasionally bomb vessels crossing the Ladoga lake, but this one was not bombed. It sank because it was overloaded and in somewhat poor shape, and because weather conditions were unfavourable. But instead of making a powerful drama about civilians fleeing starvation inside a besieged city, and drowning in the process, the film makers thought this should be an action movie with Russian supermen who down planes with a single bullet... Twice! It is also a poorly written love story, and yet another story of reconciliation, as NKVD captain becomes friends with the guy he was going to have shot along with his father. You see, recent Russian war films are obsessed with the message of reconciliation between Russians, despite ideological and other divides that existed in 1941. In the end, the film ends up being a manipulative mess that provides no payoff. It is also disrespectful towards the people who died.

Average world war 2 movie, with the known Russian war spectacle, but a bit boring story, it has nothing to do with Leningrad only with a small boat, also Germans are portrayed here as ultimate civilian killers...

Entertaining enough war drama about a true event that cost a lot of Russian lives in World War 2

Acting wise thought Maria Melnikova was good

Kostya is a young man serving in the military. Nastya is the love of his life, and when an emergency evacuation of Leningrad starts, he arranges for her to be among the first to board the Barge 752 (a barge is a flat-bottomed waterway vessel).

Nastya's father was a German spy, who was investigated by Inspector Petruchik, who also boards the vessel. He is an arrogant man riding on the wave of his authority. Kosya's father is Captain Gorelov, who took responsibility upon himself to overload the barge, given its condition.

Unbeknownst to them the German's were planning an air raid to stop the evacuation, and to destroy all ships and vessels. This adds increasing suspense, as we as the viewer realize what's coming. The characters are well set-up and we learn more about each one as the film develops. The battle scenes are well made and realistic. The best scenes by far were the storm scenes, which were incredible.

The third act is non-stop action. I couldn't help but think about 'Titanic' during the film's final act. If you've seen 'Titanic' (who hasn't?), then you'll immediately recognize the scenes I'm referring to. I rather enjoyed this film.

Unfortunately, movie is too easily forgotten as another substandard historical piece not worth more than a single watch-through just for a fans of war epics, because the production had enough money to spend it on big effects and VFX sequences, but ultimately film lacks the depth.

Rating: 6-