9th Company

The movie has somewhat similar message as of other War movies. But there are some differences. While movies of modern war like Hurt locker depicting the situation of soldiers in Iraq War have gained huge attention. Most people are not interested in knowing that there has been a much worse War in the Afghanistan decades earlier. The War had somewhat similar circumstances but it was fought on much bigger scale. Sadly, no one is interested to know about the Russian troops in that Afghan War and no movie (depicting the Russia side) has ever been made except this one which therefore makes it unique.

The enemy America facing in Afghanistan right now is nothing compared to what Russian Army faced decades ago in Afghan War. The difference is that in Afhgan War, America sowed the seeds of today's War (for what?) This is a must see movie for everyone.

I am big fan of war films, specially from Vietnam and WWII. Afghanistan was taboo in Russia for long time, therefore I was very impatient to see 9th company and because of Bondarchuk, that is the name.

I was really surprised about this film. Perfect acting, spectacular special effects, costumes and different point of view on war. All of these made this film superlative. And something more. I felt something strange after the end of this film. It was mix of feelings like anger, sympathy and sorrow.

9th company is impressive successor of famous Russian war films and Fyodor is brilliant follower of his father Sergey. Is nice to see excellent masterpiece from different, like American production.

God bless Bondarchuk !

The poster of this movie is not the most attractive, unfortunately, but everything else that's beyond that, exceeds the expectations to a Russian movie.

"9th company is a film about war cruelty, inhuman cross crippling the heroes' lives, about honour and duty, sufferings and friendship, about life that is one for all and death that is different for everyone."

9th company truly shows the beauty, the reality and the uselessness of such wars against locals. Now, 20 years after, the equipment has developed, all in all, it still gives an impression of the actions against the Iraq.

The characters were colorful and well picked, although some of them still looked too similar to me for messing them up.

The movie is high quality, with well mastered sound and Russian spirit in it, but vastly dramatic and definitely not a typical American movie with a happy end. It is a great example of human values and motivates to think about "What matters most".

Yes, we have all seen a lot of those movies that focus on soldiers in the battle, their bravery, weaknesses, breakdowns etc. Those films are always end up in a way that let's us know once again, how pointless is war and how it has its impact to every single life separately. This movie is not an exception in overall point of view. It has quite a same morale.

But few things make it still unique and are the reason to rate it a bit higher than just average.

At first reality. Not historically, but people in the movie are much more real than in Hollywood movie. It seems that only Russian actors can let the public see the soul of Russian people and soldiers. I'm not Russian myself, but I've met a lot of them and this is just the unique thing they call "Russkaja dusha" (Russian soul). Russians have very hot temper, they can blaze up in a second and start the fight, but they never let it damage their friendship.

Second dose of realism: people in war. I mean especially Dygalo was a very realistic character. When I was serving my time in Estonian army I met an officer who was also veteran of Afganistan war. And believe me, he was quite a copy of Dygalo. It is hard to understand, how real war experience could leave such a trace in human mind, but now when I saw Praporshik Dygalo in that movie, I noticed a huge similarity between Dygalo and that officer and I instantly understood that this is the real thing, this is exactly how war affected those soldiers. And the fact this film has managed to take it to public so real, gives it a great bonus.

And last, but not least: Russian language in a movie that also really sounds as Russian language. I'm always laughing about the episodes in Hollywood movies that should include Russian army or characters and I have to say that Russian language in Hollywood movies is more than ridiculous, therefore I'm quite happy that this film was made in Russian. By the way, Russian is considered to have the most developed vocabulary in swearing and as this is war movie and those guys are pretty rough as well, it sounds much better and more real in Russian. Translation usually manages to lost at least half of the meaning.

In conclusion: yes, I would recommend this movie to everybody. Although it shares the same morale than other war movies, it's still somehow unique and especially Americans could take a look and compare it to Hollywood stuff.

...are indeed bound to repeat them. This cracking Soviet/Afghan war drama from director and actor Fyodor Bondarchuk has echoes of US war stories like Hamburger Hill, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, but with none of the predictable American schmaltz, propaganda and dubiously good teeth. It grips the viewer entirely with impressive repertory performances from a great young cast of faces unknown to western audiences; deserving all of its accolades and every cent of the post-Soviet era record-breaking $20m the film has raked in. Worth a look for those who think current Western military ambitions in Afghanistan are anything but futile.