User reviews

This film begins in 1942 on the Southern Front of the war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union with a young Russian officer by the name of "Lieutenant Sergey Ogarkov" (Yuriy Borisov) assigned the position of a liaison between his army's headquarters and their separate divisions and brigades. As a result he is compelled to travel between commands delivering orders and receiving intelligence reports. However, at one particular location the area is overrun by enemy tanks and being armed with only a pistol he retreats like everyone else. What he doesn't know is that a new order has been issued which prevents retreat under the penalty of death and for that he is tried, convicted and sentenced to be shot. To do that, however, the sentence must be approved at higher headquarters and for that reason he is assigned a guard by the name of "Private Dzhurbaev" (Amir Abdykalov) to escort him there. Yet while Private Dzhurbaev is clearly mission oriented, the problem is that the Soviet Army is under constant attack and in such a mobile battlefield finding their higher headquarters is much more difficult than anybody realizes. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an interesting war film which contained an extremely rich view of World War 2 from the Soviet soldier's viewpoint. However, the main problem I had with this was the huge gap at the end which made it seem as if a whole segment of the film was erased. Additionally, the subtitles weren't very good but at least they were basic enough to understand the overall context. In short, other than the main problem just mentioned, I thought that this was a good film and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

'On the Road to Berlin' is quite mellow for a war movie. Nothing spectacular or memorable. The plot is implausible but interesting. and there are quite ridiculous moments there, but the acting is good, and there is some chemistry between the two main characters. It was entertaining and thoughtful enough and thanks to the short running time the movie didn't feel to drag. It seems that the movie was made with quite a modest budget. Battle scenes are quite bland. They don't seem t arise above from the rest of the film and they fail to elevate the rest of the movie above from the rest of the likes. Of course there was obligatory love story thrown in (or the promise of it). You can't make a war movie without a girl falling for a tired soldier.

I can't recommend this movie, but it wasn't that bad. I wouldn't call it a total waste of time. It probably would have needed more development. My review was as lazy as this movie.

Remembering old fashion westerns, using the fascination of the Soviet/Russian cinema for WWII, it is only a decent film. Nothing spectacular, nothing memorable. Only a long way of survive, a friendship and the war. And sure, the picture from a newspaper. It is far to be source of the enthusiasmus of public who knows the real Russian war films and the message is too weak to impress. But its virtue is to remind better films about same theme. A good film, a reasonable option.

This Russian production has holes in it as big as the holes left by German shells from bombs dropped on Russian soil. However, this screenplay and the characterizations within are of a superior quality, so we must forgive the subpar production values. The lead role of the Russian officer, wrongly accused of cowardice, is played by Juriy Borisov, and his guard, well-played by Amir Abdykalov, steals several scenes with his stoic perserverence. His character appears to be the writer's alter ego; the writer being Emmanull Kazakevich, a classical Russian writer who is well-versed in bringing tragic figures to life. Several good Russian writers excel at tragedy, probably because they have suffered so much of it in the last century.

There will be those who denigrate this film as glorifying Russia, while Russia tries to subjugate the Ukraine, and politically, they may have a point. But this film is not about Putin, Russian leaders or generals; it is about the unheralded sacrifices that nameless thousands of honorable Russian men endured during the Russian-German conflict during WW2. The Russians took a terrible beating at the beginning of that conflict; and yet, they endured. Some would say it was the last honorable military action they were ever involved in. I will let the viewer decide that for themselves. It is interesting to note that Kazaks, historically, were not too keen about becoming part of the Soviet Union. However, when hostilities broke out with Germany, they served with great honor all along the Russian front. In some ways, this film is a hidden gem among all the preachy WW 2 films that do not center on real people. See it for yourself; I do not think you will be disappointed.

On the road to Berlin (2015) obviously has a rather meager budget compared to modern, even Russian, war movies, which necessarily isn't a bad thing but hinders some of the effect of this film.

Plot is rather run-of-the-mill tale of friendship, chaos of war and bravery - and it is hardly surprising that the film is based on a short story/previous Soviet war film. Especially Lt. Ogarkov as a character seems a bit implausible in his actions. Also the love story-bit seems slightly inserted, to the point of being a trope. Despite this, the interplay between two main characters - the condemned and his Kazakh guard - works. Especially Amir Abdykalov as somber private does a fine performance. And I have to say I haven't seen many central Asian roles cast in any war films portraying the European Eastern front despite the fact that the Red Army fielded plenty of soldiers from there, often in quite subordinate roles.

Visually speaking low budget unfortunately shows in the two grand battle scenes which come out as unintentionally comical - a better solution would've been simply shoot them so that the viewer doesn't see so much of the awkward props from the smoke and chaos.

Fortunately the film makers don't dwell on combat, but emphasize the strong points of cinematography - beautiful sense of "being there" when it comes to Russian summer. Lush forests, fields, misty riverbanks and small villages of the countryside translate marvelously to the film.

One more film about the ww2 but a film with love and goodfaith. the history is not new but don't fail with the purpouse. Nice screens and places. The feelings are more importants that the communication

An interesting look at the war in rhe East at individual level. The absurdity of war and the silly bureaucracy of the army and in particular that of the totalerian Soviet union's Red Army is nicely shown. Think Valery Grossman meets the Good Soldier Schwejk.

The lead actors fo a good job.

Some of the bits in between take a bit lo g and the pace of the movie is rather languid.

The uniforms and equipment are fairly well done.

Some of the German tanks seem to be made to look like Tigers which would be inaccurate so early in ww2. I do believe I saw a Churchill tank which is pretty cool.

There even is a very brief love story.

In all a good watch.

This film is grossly underrated. Maybe not enough battles shown for some but it shows the stark reality of after battle scenes. Soldiers marching through the devastation left by enemy attacks on villages and countryside alike. It was surprising to me how well made the film was. From the acting to the cinematography and especially the clothing or costume realism. This film deserves to be more appreciated in my opinion.

This film has been made with a modest budget . But there is no modesty in the themes it so tellingly portrays . All the clumsiness of huge organisations , all the nobility of the individuals that have to deal with that clumsiness .

A small masterpiece .

One thing i appreciate about this movie it is not overblown, but quiet and thoughtful, with few scenes of combat which is not exaggerated. The movie plot is kept simple.

Having read a number of recent histories by Antony Beevor through whom I was introduced to the Russian war correspondent and author Vasily Grossman, this account of a lieutenant's life and fate on the Eastern Front is more than simply believable. It's a vivid testament to the cruel vagaries of war.

I thought the film was decent and story was not that interesting but the actors were also not something sure they did they best but in my opinion the actors were okay to mediocre sure the movie is to some people good but for me the movie is just Amateur Level Russian World War 2 Movie. It can pass as a war drama but nothing else.

The movie touches the soul. No unnecessary loud drama and over acting. Just a straightforward story line and truthful execution. How war make a boy to a man and the journey with ups and down. Bond of the soldiers and high moral code. From rock bottom to stand up again. Compassion for each other. The ugly part of any war, where most of the times people are just dragging them up, loosing any hope to survive yet they do. Sound mind and emotion for country mostly the key factors of any winning side. People love to see great wars but forget the actual hardship and mental condition of the soldiers.

One immediate thing of note... this is one of very few WW2 movies that shows an Asian looking Russian soldier (the character of Dzhurbaev). In reality, they were significant in number.

I loved the plot. The cinema-photography very well done. The actors were convincing in their roles. Authenticity applies to the sets/locations and the uniforms, weapons, Russian military command and battle scenes.

This is definitely one of the best Russian made war movies.

I give it a solid 8 stars