Gde cveta limun zut

Our Bulgarian friend obviously didn’t finish watching the movie. Serbs didn’t wait the end of the war in Greece. Together with French and Greek, they breached the Salonika front leading the way to the end of the WWI and allied victory. Luckily there are lots of documentary records in this movie so you don’t have to trust me, only to your eyes. In fact it is WWI history 101, consult any relevant book.

In WWI Serbia successfully waged war against much bigger Austria-Hungary monarchy that invaded Serbia twice and was kicked out of Serbia both times. Serbs were offered separate peace with Central powers but they decided not to turn their back on Allies who didn’t provide any support during those dark days. It took joint attack of Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria to defeat Serbian army, but they were still unable to destroy it. Serbs retreated to Greece across Albania and only then they were able to get some help from the Allies.

After recuperation on the Greek island Corfu, Serbian army took great part in breaching Salonika front and gloriously returned to Serbia. Yes they kicked some Bulgarian asses along the way, but Bulgarians occupied parts of Serbia after all. Smiles on faces of Bulgarian prisoners of war, shown in this movie, say all about how they felt about their “defeat”.

That “French women” our Bulgarian friend is referring to, is famous Flora Sandes, British nurse, volunteer in the Serbian Army, while “the British” is just an unknown Serbian solder, so no wonder he has no accent. Edlund-5 got it pretty much all wrong and you shouldn’t be biased with his ignorance in making decision about watching this movie.

The movie is historically informative, with many footages from military archives, but above all it is a story about strength of human spirit and about invincible aspiration for freedom. It is also an ode to the great Greek nation whose deeds and friendship will never be forgotten.

You can have a taste of this movie here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAiGQ3J2oZo

I bought this DVD through eBay without really knowing what to expect. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised ! This is one of those rare movies that can accomplish being accurate to history (I studied that era) and at the same time entertain you in a way that you don't think your simply watching a documentary.

For those who don't know the era, it's 1914 during WW1, and Serbia is attacked by Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria. Government and army retreated to the south in the direction of Greece, but were cut off by Bulgarian forces and had to go through Albania and to the Greek island of Corfu. After a series of battles and victories, Serbian forces eventually overcame their adversaries.

The acting is excellent and so is the narrator (Nikolic). On top of that, the director Zdravko Sotra, gives you a feeling of being right there in the trenches.

Highly recommended !