A Última Linha de Defesa

I've had a bit of a historical interest in the war on the Eastern Front since childhood. The attempt at historical accuracy in this movie was much appreciated, although I'm not an expert. The battle scenes might seem a little slow to some, but when you compare it to actual war footage it's not really. Hollywood movies tend to speed things up for extra dramatic effect.

There is an air attack scene by Stukas dropping what appear to be barrel bombs. I guess that must have actually happened. But that scene ends with a Heinkel dumping it's load on the front line. It's a bombing scene that is high budget and impressive, clearly not CGI. It reminded me of that bombing scene in Apocalypse Now where they had only one chance to get it right due to the cost. I expect that was true for this given all the explosives and damage it actually did.

As somebody else pointed out the Germans were highly trained and the Russians usually lost more people in confrontations. This is reflected in the movie. Unlike some Hollywood movies where a dozen or more German soldiers are killed for every allied soldier. It also shows realistic tactics used by the Germans to deal with a Russian ambush by fighting while repositioning to flank their artillery.

It shows women right up there on the front line. That was authentic for the Eastern Front. Completely unheard of on the Western Front.

Yes the dialogue is pants and it's clearly hyper patriotic. But then how must our war movies seem to them? Despite this there are no happy endings here and a very worthwhile watch to see the variety of German tanks, the artillery tactics and the realistic location.

Although not the same type of movie, and not in the same league, it has given me the idea to re-watch Klimov's masterpiece of war horror: Come and See. If you haven't seen that one I very highly recommend it.

First, the production quality is really top notch. Very impressive camera work too 10/10 Set 10/10 Second, cast is good and believable. Acting is above average 7/10. Chemistry between the leads is 8/10.

Third, fight sequences are gritty and gripping. You just don't know whats about to happen next 9/10.

Fourth, there are some trope elements but it's alright and forgivable 6/10.

Won't comment on the historical accuracy but the attention to detail of the props, tanks, artillery, outfits was nice. Very professional. Now there's some love angle here and there, but these are kids who went to war! Most of their behaviour also seems justified because of this fact. It's a slightly dark movie in it's overall tone of colour grading as well as the mood.

Overall, recommended.

Easily a one time watch.

New huge step in quality in modern Russian war movie industry. Huge attention to details and superb casting. I would not call acting superb, but it's decent and overall story, though quite simple, is effective in telling a story of heroism of Podolsk Cadets, who, basically, saved Moscow in October'41.

This is not standard Hollywood propaganda movie. You will not see protagonists-superheroes that vanquish stupid weak enemies in front of national flag in flowing capes. Be ready for gritty war movie that shows suffering, panicked soldiers and dying heroes that you would love to see survive into happy end.

Must see for everyone who like war movies or want to experience horrors and heroism on WW2 Eastern Front.

Even though I was not impressed with the dialogues and some rather overdone depiction of the soviet era characters (however, they did exist), I would prefer this movie over some cr*p like "Fury"(2014), where "cool dude" like Brad Pit almost wins WWII, killing elite German military by hundreds)) You wouldn't find anything like that in the long line of the Russian military movies. If you expect a hollywood style flick - don't bother. If you want to learn some REAL history about WWII - watch it.

Russians know a thing or two about WWII, since they fought the whole Europe and won.

It has good characters and an interesting subject. The war scenes are professional taken with explosions and soldiers flying through the air when that happens. So far so good. But the story is boring in long parts and through the hole time - except the battle scenes - the music tries to ballance the weak dialogues; tries to make them more interesting. Most of the time the movie drips from patriotism and has less scenes to point out the fears of war. The soldiers are unrealistic motivated, no weakling, no coward. It's a black and white scenario. Here the good, there the bad. It's a one dimensional drawing of the.incidences. There is no bad russian in this movie, but all bad people are on the other side. Underlined with dozends of cheesy patriotic expressions.

It had the chance to be something special, just because of the professional making. But the nerve killing cheese score blew it. And of course the weak dialogues. Sorry for the actors. They seem to have tried their best.