The Battle of Russia

Part of Frank Capra's "Why We Fight" series of documentary/propaganda films, this film details Russia' involvement in WW2. We see Russia's geography, industry, people, history of repelling invaders and WW2 history.

One of the most bizarre propaganda films you'll ever see: an American film praising Russia. Yes, the US and Russia were allies at the time but the relationship was never that friendly or admiration-filled. Stalin's regime was as reprehensible as Hitler's and the US largely knew this. However, common enemies breed strange bedfellows and Russia with the US (and Britain) would be one of the strangest.

It is well made though. Good use of historic war footage plus dramatizations together with great editing make for a seamless feel to the film. Narration is of the propaganda variety, though you can imagine the narrator having to grit his teeth through some of the pro-Russian bs.

As far as historic accuracy goes, well it is a propaganda film: Russia is made out to be a benevolent democracy (almost) and Stalin a great, friendly leader (rather than a genocidal tyrant). No mention of Russia involvement in the invasion of Poland and their lack of preparation for Germany's invasion is painted as a planned strategy and masterstroke - defence in depth. The broader events are reasonably accurately reported.

Most importantly, the quality that did the most to help Russia win on the Eastern Front is captured - the perseverance and tenacity of the Russian people and their undying resolve to rid themselves of the invader.

This is certainly not only one of the most singular documentaries ever made but also one of the best. Frank Capra and Anatole Litvak made it together, striking at the opportunity of documenting the fate of Russia in the war and catching an extensive and comprehensive picture of the Russian situation while it was fresh and still going on, concentrating on the siege of Leningrad and the battle of Stalingrad, ending with the definite turning point of the war. The entire documentary is dominated by Russian music, 75-80% Tchaikovsky with some moments of Shostakovich, Prokofiev and folk music. The account is effective and intelligent all the way, the film rolls on like the war without mercy in tremendous overwhelming realism, while at the same time there is much vital information here that never came across to the west. The only objection against the film anyone could have is the aggressive tone of the speaker, which is as hard as the war, - but even that fits into the picture. It's a great classic documentary for all time without any Hollywood embellishments or tricks, everything is documentary and true, and although it IS a propaganda picture, made to gain support for the Russian cause in the war from the public in the west, it's brilliantly done, and the glory of the victories and ordeals of Stalingrad and Leningrad WAS THERE and must never be forgotten.

Comparing it to Capra's Prelude to War, The Battle of Russia doesn't feel quite so in-your-face as a propaganda movie. Some of the same techniques are there, but it feels a little more like it's trying to inform. There is informing and persuasion going on here for sure, but the way it slightly backs off the latter does probably make it a "better" documentary, while also making it feel a little less interesting to try and unpack.

But when considered as something that wanted to look at what had been happening in Russia during World War II, and made while World War II was still going on, it's certainly interesting. It's doubly fascinating to hear an American documentary talk about Soviet Russia in such a positive light (something something, the enemy of my enemy is my friend).

History, documentary. The most famous documentary from the series "Why we Fight", consisting of seven films released during the Second World War by the Office of Strategic Services (American Intelligence) commissioned by the US Department of Defense, directed by the talented Frank Capra. Yes, the same Frank Capra who will shoot one of the best American films in the history of cinema "This Wonderful Life" in 1946. This was already an occasion to watch this documentary. And I am absolutely delighted with her. And here's my brief opinion - the Great Patriotic War through the eyes of Americans. I will say right away that there are no minuses in the picture, but there are comments that I will write in a separate paragraph, but for now let me finish with the introduction and tell you about the advantages of this documentary.

So, here they are: 1. Scenario - the picture tells about the history of Russia, which has been attacked by aggressive neighbors more than once. About the courage and steadfastness of the Russian people, who every time drove the hated conquerors from their native land. It tells in detail about the economic potential of Russia, its riches, industry, the diversity of the peoples who inhabited it and who inhabit it now. Details are given about the initial stage of the Great Patriotic War: the preparation of Germany, its successes in Europe, the terrible blow of June 22, 1941, the battle for Moscow, the siege of Leningrad, the Battle for Stalingrad are considered in detail. We have not forgotten about the monstrous atrocities of the fascists in the occupied territory (these shots make one shudder and tears flow by themselves). The German and Soviet military doctrine and many other things are considered in detail. We forgot to mention the supply of cargo and military equipment from the United States and Great Britain. In the documentary there are such newsreel shots that I had never seen anywhere before, even in domestic pictures about the war. All the information is presented briefly, concisely, but succinctly and intelligibly, for which I express my great gratitude to Frank Capra, our former compatriots Anatol Litvak (the author of the script) and composer Dmitry Temkin for the well-chosen music.

2. Visibility - the maps and animations are made at the highest level (the maps were provided by the Ministry of Defense, and the great and terrible Evil Corporation itself was responsible for the animation (and then the Walt Disney Studio)). Clearly and intelligibly, the viewer is shown how the battles were prepared and conducted, the plans of the parties. Here you can definitely feel the tentacles of the fascist hydra, which swung at Russia, and how these tentacles are cut off one by one with a steel sword. This visibility is the moment for which this documentary can be set as an example to follow, because there are practically no jambs. Yes, schematically, yes a little cartoon, but clearly conveys the idea of the difficult struggle of the Russian people with the German invaders.

3. Russian Russians have the right accents - the creators of the documentary truthfully and honestly tell about the struggle of the Russian people against the fascists, show the strength and courage of Russian people, not only soldiers, but also ordinary residents who stood at the machine tools, dug trenches, fought in partisan detachments. The authors sincerely sympathize with the grief that has befallen our great country and try to help as much as they can. It was for this sympathy and the truthful script of Anatole Litvak that the "McCarthyists" pursued after the end of the war. Only Dmitry Temkin and Frank Capra were not touched, apparently for past merits.

And in the Russian version, the voice of the announcer is duplicated by our wonderful artist Vsevolod Kuznetsov.

Now about some remarks. They did not mention the "Ost" plan, they did not devote time to the border outposts that took the first blow of the fascists, and in general the documentary is filled with inaccuracies and strong generalizations, although I will not scold the creators much for inaccuracies and generalizations, because these are Americans, and the documentary itself was made for the American viewer, although it was shown since 1944 and in the Soviet box office. Therefore, it can be forgiven.

It is precisely such documentaries that should be shown on television, and not "Zoya" or "Devyataevs", who denigrate the glory of Russian weapons and the bright memory of those who died in that terrible war, for the victory in which we paid a high price. For me, as a person familiar with the history of this period, all the information was not new, but it will be very useful for a wide range of viewers. This can and should be shown in schools, along with documentaries such as: 1. "Ordinary fascism" 1965 2. "The Great War" 2010-2012.

After watching them all, viewers will get almost a complete picture of the course of the Great Patriotic War and its role in the history and fate of the modern world, which has never been the same after this colossal event.

As a result, we have an excellent documentary about the most difficult period of the Great Patriotic War, with an excellent script, great music, visual demonstration and a truthful look at those events.

My rating is 9 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!

First of all, this is not a history lesson. This is a film made during the wartime to garner public support for war effort and so whatever propaganda people might complain about is acceptable. Enemy of your enemy is your friend and during WW2, Russia became an ally of allied powers.

The movie talks in details about Russia's rich resources and what would happen to the world of Nazi power got control of it. After that they have taken few big events and given real footage of the battle. The scale of the allied support is captured correctly. The movie takes 50 mins to go over entire 2 and a half year of great struggle so instead of going over every important detail, the director decided to go with the human element of the war. It's more appealing because of it. I hope to see many such movies of how allies worked with each other to dethrone largest military force in human history.