Doroga na Berlin

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.