User reviews

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.

Itunes only sold the english dub version with i didn't see until after i bought it. Russians speaking with cartoon american accents... i mean this is 2021... listening to russians speaking english is bad enough can't they at least have russian accents? Or at least not terrible american ones that sound like they are from a 1980s kung fu movie? The movie is great when they are not talking. Watch the original language and subtitles if you don't want to hate this movie and love it instead. Seriously.

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.

Basically the first 30 minutes might give you the opinion this movie suck. I had a really hard time cooping with the dubbing and what it looked like bad effects. I decided to give it a shot though.

However, the effects are sometimes massive, perhaps especially the scene with the medium bomber. Rating from fairly good to great.

But I think the Germans are portraied in a better way speeking native language.

Dubbing takes some stars out of this movie and a pretty boring first 30 min ending up in good overall.

OK forget the obvious soviet propaganda which is no worse than hundreds of american and british movies about WWII. Good action sequences, slightly cheesy ending. Well worth a watch. Slight quibble - all the german tanks seemed very light, where were the tigers, panthers and leopards?.

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.

In an era of saberclinging at the eastern front these days, a film that is meant to encourage the young and bold to stand up for the motherland whatever and whenever and very much adressed into current issues. That said and put aside, comes the romantic interludes where love litterally makes men loose half their heads, and where marriage proposals and acceptations is done in the pillboxes and trenches of the battle of podolsk 1941., its seems like a quater of the troops gets a headshot will jumping around hooraying ones first kill, and gets shot dead instantly by better trained troops., do take in consideration that the story based on true events is about artilley cadets/ pupils without combat training, and that may explain a lot.

The prodction management though is probably some of the best ive seen in a russian film over the last few years, good equipment, nice explotions and realistic visual effect, which there is much of., the fight scenes are quite short but impressive even for a grumpy old man.

Acting as mentioned quite cheesy, optimistic and made to act as if they were gun fodder for the germans, historicallythe russian soldiers where 2 men on one rifle at the battle fields of 2nd ww, so maybe thats why. To make a hollywood comparition on the human aspects i feel ''pearl harbour '' couldve fallen in the same cathegory.

But by all means its a watchable movie, but slow and long playtime, sad and emotional at times as per prescription, i give a recommend.

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.

The Last Frontier is a typical Russian film about the Great Patriotic War, shot with the support of the state. Sterile - everything I want to say about German. It is clearly shot with one goal - to show it in a history lesson to schoolchildren. But no more. There is no story, there is no character development here. Finals, too. Unfortunately, the film does not go into any comparison with another Russian film telling a similar story - Panfilov's 28 Men.

Endless battle scenes that provoke no emotion at all, characters that talk nonsense most of the time, and every silly trope Russian WWII cinema has on its repertoire. From a German officer that is being served breakfast while listening to a gramophone and fishing without taking his leather gloves off, to nimble and fearless Russian soldiers who amidst an artillery attack find the time to steal fruit from the Germans.

I think this film is final proof that Russians need to stop making WWII films. This whole war movie industry is a pit of nonsense, ridiculous tropes, and fake patriotism. Its main purpose is to vindicate the USSR and communism, and serve as an ideological support for Russia as a neo-USSR of sorts. It is about time Russians ditched the communist era, as it was the time their people got crippled beyond belief. Not by Germans, not by fascists, but by communists, who killed more Russians than what the casualties in both world wars combined were. And bury that red star once and for all.

Full of German tanks including Panzer I, Panzer II, Panzer III, Stug and T38 Skoda on screen makes all military fans must not miss the movie at all. Strongly recommended.

In October, 1941, the German troops are heading to Moscow and the soviets do not have any troop nearby to protect their capital. Colonel Strelbitsky (Evgeniy Dyatlov), who is the head of the Podolsk Artillery School, is ordered to use his 3,500 cadets to defend the last stand to Moscow until the last man while the Russian troops return to assume the protection. The cadets have few provisions, ammunition and weapons, but they bravely defend their motherland.

"Podolskiye kursanty" (2020), a.k.a. "The Last Frontier", is a great Russian war movie based on true events. The story is presented with romance and dramatization, but it is sad to see the effects of war in a young generation that should be studying and dating, but are sent to death instead. It is beautiful to see the patriotism of the youths, and the beauty of the actresses. The Russian actors are also handsome men, and the number of extras is also impressive. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Última Linha de Defesa" ("The Last Defense Line")

There is only one Rambo in America In Russia all the military personnel are Rambo, some are Rambos with good luck some are Rambos with bad luck, some are male Rambos some are female Rambos, but they're all.... RAMBOS, fearless Rambos!!!

Loved it. Good actors, based on real story, awesome battle scenes. Watched it with family. Everyone enjoyed.

I am an avid fan of ww2 history and I enjoy reading as much as I can about it, so inevitably I'm a big fan of ww2 movies. What drew me to The Last Frontier was that unlike other movies made by hollywood depicting an eastern front battle. "Enemy at The Gates." comes to mind. All the actors and actresses here are Russian and speak Russian, which gives this movie a level of authenticity that Hollywood doesn't aim for that often... This movie portrays the Battle of Moscow at its most desperate hour. Operation Barbarossa is well underway and the majoity of the frontline Soviet armies have been surrounded and destroyed. Time is everything. The Soviet top generals need more time so they can raise new and fresh armies from the interior of Russia and to movie them to front. All the while holding the Germans back from taking Moscow at all costs. The situation being so desperate that very young trainee cadets from the artillary and infantry school of Podolsk are called to the front to hold back the German's seemingly unstoppable advance. From Podolsk we meet several of the students there, both male and female. The time spent engaging with them prior to battle really allows the viewer to care for them when everything goes downhill.

There is a love triangle where two boys fall for one girl but she only cares for one in a romantic way, while the other is like a brother. But it doesn't feel like cheap emotion. I watched it thinking that the movie feels extremely genuine in that regard. I came away from the movie feeling asking myself a hypothetical, what would have happened if one day in my very small college where I studied. We were asked to fend off an invasion and were handed weapons and death could happen to yourself or your closest of friends at any moment. I was transported into this movie by this thought.

I watched the movie in the Russian and not dubbed. I'm not a fan of dubbed movies so I can't speak for how good or bad the dubbing was. But the genuine emotion I felt from the original actors talking, I didn't feel the need the dubbing. The action scenes were excellent for a war movie. My heart strings were pulled more than a few times. I just wish more Russian ww2 films of this quality existed, that would explore other aspects of tbe war. 9/10 I really can't fault this movie.

I had great expectations for this movie. Russians war movies, apart from their woeful patriotic dialogue, do considerably well with realism and authenticity. This movie didn't seem to have any. The production appeared to lack any military guidance or consultation? The tanks and equipment were spot on for 1941 (no, there were no Tigers or Panthers in 1941) but the tactics and action were dumbed right down.

Here is another russian war film, sponsored by the "kino" fund. The film has good battle scenes and effects, but nothing more. The story is pretty dull and bad.

The movie is lossly based on the true events in the defense of moscow.

The movie is in insight into the harts and minds of the Russian people. It is nice to watch a movie that is not about how the americans saved the day or Bruce willis killing 1000 people with only on handgun.

The story tells of how the Russian people were willing to give up everything to defend the motherland from an ivading force.

Back in the 70s in the states we only saw international art films. The only Russian films were Soviet Montage and Tarkovsky. So now we get to see other countries' commercial cinema ie imitations of bad hollywood movies. Acting talent and commitment, production values, screenplay beats and cliches are all present. Criticism: The costuming and hair were too neat. I think its as good as Sands of Iwo, or Heartbreak Ridge but that's small beer.

Great acting, awesome art direction, good sound design and some pretty good action scenes full of practical effects and some seemless CGI.

When I came across this movie I "pinned it" jut because it had a catching tittle and a very peculiar thumbnail. I didn't expect much, since I actually watch a lot of weird artsy, foreing and B-movies. But this... This movie is so much better that ever expected.

I've seen a lot of people complaining about the story, but it isn't about the story or what the characters are trying to accomplish as much as the characters themselves. You really get invested in every soldier and the direction makes you feel every lost of life on screen. You have to witness the brutality of war through the eyes of a buncha kids, but you don't feel sad, cause each and everyone of them understands what they are fighting for and are willing to die for it.

In the end you get this melancholic feeling of heroism and you might even shed a tear while smiling for all of the fallen soldiers saved their land.

It's not the first Russian film to have the English title of The Last Stand. Russians love to make films about how the Red Army are outnumbered but face the German juggernaut to defend their motherland and their beloved Uncle Joe (Stalin). This one is a typical Soviet (or Russian, if you like) film. It has the romantic subplot of the pretty girl who's in love with the film's hero, the soldiers who are happy to be at war, and how the war is really just a big adventure for everyone, with the sad occasional death of a comrade.

Except for the very bad voice dubbing, it seems in the beginning like it might be good. The photography and scenery are good, as usual, the acting is goofy as usual, and according to this one, the Germans used small Japanese-style tanks on the Eastern Front. The fX are very good, though. Russian filmmakers are allowed to use real ordnance when making films and the explosions are magnificent! During one scene, German planes drop bombs on a Soviet position and when they hit the ground they explode almost simultaneously while spread across a fairly small area, just as they did in reality. In films made in other countries the bombs explode every few seconds and the explosions aren't very impressive.

Nevertheless, there's a scene in which a German grenade flies a few hundred meters or so (waaaay ahead of the German troops) and lands in a Soviet bunker and still has enough time left on the fuze for a nurse to stare at it in shock for a couple of seconds before a doctor grabs it and throws it out of the bunker where it explodes harmlessly.

Because it's a true story, I gave it a few stars, but there's just too much melodrama and bad acting to give it more than four. It's an important story, though. It just deserves to be told better.