War films tend to come in two varieties, being filled either with battle action or drama on the home front. There are outliers, certainly, but relatively few are those war films that focus primarily on the camaraderie between people in the services, and the human spirit that keeps them going, in the midst of uncertainty, combat, and death. Not only does this Ukrainian Soviet classic count among such gems, but I don't believe I specifically need to see any other examples to know that this is surely one of the best, if not the superlative. 'Only "old men" are going into battle' is a delightfully smart wartime comedy-drama in which all flavors receive emphasis in turn, but are all centered around the care shown for each other in the squadron, and the common joys that unite them The result is a feature that's tremendously heartwarming while being both funny and tragic as the narrative shifts; that this also focuses on pilots, fighter planes, and the battle in the air is a nice additional touch, a rarity in the genre. I'm rather aghast that I came across this only by chance, because as far as I'm concerned it's a superb movie that deserves far, far more recognition.
It's very much worth reading background information about the production, for in doing so it becomes very clear how much hard work and research writer, director, and star Leonid Bykov poured into the project. Bykov accordingly blended together various odds and ends in the historical record of the Soviet fight against Germany to fashion this tale, and he did so with such passion and thoughtfulness that the outcome received high praise from veterans. The fruit of that labor is an unexpectedly dynamic, vibrant picture in which the mood wanders to and fro, but only with natural fluidity and dexterity, and utmost warmth. Historical footage from the war is mixed with filmed stunts, effects, and action sequences; beautiful music greets us in occasional interludes as the squadron keeps perspective on what they're fighting for; joyous humor is juxtaposed with deeply affecting scenes of the costs of war. I can only commend Bykov for such a smart screenplay where the characters, dialogue, scene writing, and narrative all shine with such life, and to be honest his direction is just as sharp in bringing all the moving parts together into a cohesive whole.
My one criticism is that the editing is a little rough. Through to the end there is a brusque, ungainly curtness in the progression of the narrative, and in transitions from scene to scene, such that it seems we've gone from A to B too abruptly while missing details in between. Unfortunate as this is, however, it's not so severe a problem as to significantly detract from the entirety, and by and large the title is excellent. From production design and art direction, to costume design, hair and makeup; from the music, sound, and those stunts and effects, to the planes supplied for the production, everything about 'Only "old men" are going into battle' is marvelously well done, reflecting the skill and intelligence of all on hand. That absolutely applies to the acting above all, as integral to the overall success as the writing and direction. Every actor here gives a marvelous performance that truly draws forth the heartfelt tenor of the comedy-drama, with Bykov and Aleksei Smirnov only the tip of the iceberg among others including Sergei Ivanov and Vladimir Talashko. Even those in smaller supporting parts, like Yevgeniya Simonova or Olga Mateshko, make a big impression with what time they have on-screen.
Put simply I'm solidly of the mind that this flick is deeply underappreciated. Countless are those war films that show us epic battle sequences, that take us into the fog of war, that plumb moral depths, or which latch onto the juvenile boorishness of the boys who one way or another will never become men. For every classic, there is a forgettable or regrettable misstep. Much more uncommon are those war films that speak to not just the bonds between those who serve, but the bonds of humanity that keep soldiers, sailors, and pilots grounded amidst violence and spiritual destitution. Fifty years on this movie resonates on a level that exceeds questions of allegiances and borders, and it is just as engaging, compelling, and indeed rewarding as it was upon release. I'm so very pleased with how good it is, and I can only give 'Only "old men" are going into battle' my very hearty and enthusiastic recommendation!
