Soviet film about the German invasion of Russia during World War Two and the siege of Leningrad in particular.
I'm of mixed opinions of this film. The film is at times dry, the story of the battle being told in a much too straight forward manner, since they tell you exactly what happened. At other times the film falls in to an almost parody of communist propaganda (and it is propaganda) with flowery passages about the strength of the peasant and the sacrifices made for the "motherland". Its almost as if you don't know if you should be sleeping or laughing.
On the other hand there are the images. Shot by some 150 cameramen this film has a great deal of really good combat photography. This is the war in the East as most people have never seen it simply because we haven't had access to the footage. Its not the same footage of the war that has been used again and again and again. For me the fact that I was looking at new material made getting through the uneven narration possible.
Is this film worth seeing? Over all yes. Sure its got some off kilter narration but the images are often treasures. Those interested in the Second World War and the War on the Eastern Front really should check this out. Others (and even many buffs) may find this a bit tough going.
