Istrebiteli

Thanks to Amazon Prime Video, I watched all 12 episodes of this series and enjoyed them. After serving in Europe during the Cold War and studying a lot of WW2 military history, I have a pretty solid understanding of Soviet tactics and equipment. "The Attackers" (the title used by Amazon) is realistic on many levels, and reasonably well acted. It's definitely worth watching if you're interested in this aspect of WW2.

As for specific elements, here's my opinion: 1. Aviation scenes: While it appeared to have a lot of CGI inserted, the cockpit close ups looked pretty realistic, as if they were filmed in the air.

2. Military weapons and vehicles: Extremely realistic! Both Soviet and German forces were operating what looked like original trucks, half tracks, and tanks. All of the weapons used by both sides were the real thing, or perfect reproductions.

3. Uniforms: Spot on.

4. Political commentary: This is definitely not a propaganda series. Topics ranged from Stalin's pre-war purges of military leaders, the German war crimes, Soviet war crimes, courage and sacrifice, religion, and ineptitude of higher levels of command.

5. Personal relationships: Sometimes cheesy, but generally authentic. (Reminded me of my deployment to Iraq, especially the humor and sexual tension between male and female soldiers.)

Did you know that Eketrina Vilkova is the most beautiful woman in acting today? And that her acting skills are second to none. If not just watch this show and others of her movies to see what I say is the truth. She is simply heavenly and has such stage presence. If she was in Hollywood she would be in the top echelon of actors. Scarlett Johansson is a joke in comparison to Vilkova. Hollywood is missing out by not casting her in top movies. The finest actress I've seen in the past decade without a doubt!

Ok let's get the bad out the way first, Subtitles are way too fast making them difficult to read but that doesn't mean you can't follow what's going on, the female pilots are way to glamourous and the male pilots are far too photogenic. It's not a big budget production, but they do well depicting the air battles using the Sturmovik computer game which 'Air Crash investigation' has already done successfully. But they make a good fist of it, most of the story is about the Pilots and groundcrew's interaction, blundering political intrigue, love interests and the sudden loss of colleagues. I have been binge watching during the lockdown and the Attackers have been a pleasant distraction, yes it's a bit far fetched but it give good indication of the trials of the Russian air force in WW2 which had male and female pilots serving together. It's not going to challenge you but you will care about the characters, their losses and their victories whilst it gives a different view of WW2 from the Russian angle. Currnetly watching the 2nd series 'Attackers the last battle' which only has a few of the first cast in, but the women are even more glamourous and the political intregue more vicious!

Now that I've finished the series I just want to say I found this show so very endearing... I absolutely loved it. The friendship and caring among the pilots was a great take and very different for a war movie. This Director did a great job. I enjoyed every moment and I'm so sad it's over. So few series get me like that. I know it was shot 7 yrs ago but I assume it's only been on prime a short time given there are just over 100 rating votes... Amazon ought to put this series in their recommended or trending etc because it's a damn good show. I can't say enough about this cast and their excellent acting. Sincerely... they're great and it's a great show and you won't be disappointed. I failed to mention this in my mid season post.. but the fact that Russian women served in battle and especially in such a technical job as flying war planes has to make the rest of the world realize we are way way behind the times in allowing women that want to participate in skilled battle positions. Cudos to this show for showing this as it was done 80 years ago. I know the US has just begun to allow such but it's time the damn conservatives than run our forces to give women that deserve it, whatever spot they qualify for. It's embarrassing that Russia was a decade ahead of us in this. This show shows what good people there were that fought in the war for Russia and at the same time how those good folks hated the party leaders and their overbearing inhuman 'statutes' were implemented. We all (countries) try to put hate upon each other but the truth is it's the Russian party leaders, the extreme US Conservatives and conservatives throughout Europe that keep war mongering just for the sake of continuing military dominance in each of our countries SIMPLY TO KEEP THE WAR MACHINE MONEY GOING SO THAT ALLVTHE DAMN CONSERVATIVES AND WARMONGERS CAN KEEP GETTING RICH FROM THE SALES OF WEAPONS.

When will the illiterates that support conservatives the world over stop being brainwashed and re-electing these fools just so they can keep playing their war games and just so they can get their kickbacks from the manufacturers and all the generals and those in upper level management of our armed services can retire from the military after 20 yrs and then take lucrative jobs in these same companies they've approved buying weapons from.

1/3rd of the US budget supports the military and it's similar in Russia.. when are THE PEOPLE OF BITH COUNTRIES going to get together and fight back at this absurd drain on our taxpayer funds. If we all came together (Russia and the US and others) and put a stop to all this military spending there'd be enough money to keep every human being in the world above the poverty line. Socialists purported to live this way but obviously Lenin and his predecessors up to the idiot running Russia now... it's obvious that was all a scam because the US and Russia have always been and still are today run by the same aggressive politicos and refuse to lay down arms.. NIT NECAUSE THEYRE AFRAID OF EACH ITHER' but because both governments and all their politicians make a living off of the military corporations. It's time all this insanity stopped. The people of the US and Russia both want the same things... jobs to take care of their families but our governments won't allow this. It's time the citizens of Russia, China and the US overthrew our governments and came together as one. I truly believe that will happen in the future. If it doesn't one of the 3 countries I mentioned will end reigning terror on the others. Let's all citizens of the world fight against our militaristic governments and their BIG CON and try to change the world the RIGHT WAY. Damn the CIA, the KGB (whatever their current name is) and Israel's damn spy agency is worst of them all and let's unite the world under freedom and Democracy/Socialism . I truly believe if we don't blow each other up first (Israel will cause it if happens) then in a decade or less we will all fight back and bury these damn conservative red fools forever and become a world that comes together in support of the people and not the military.

This miniseries does not offer great acting or visual effects. But let the imagination run wild, and immerse yourself in the "world" it offers: it soon becomes an emotional roller-coaster ride into the unknown, whether it be love or loss. Be assured of moments of sorrow and tears, and moments of joy and laughter as well.