Saving Leningrad

The Germans bombed a barge, it sank, and 800 or so people, mostly civilians, drowned. In the process, a few soldiers opened fire from rifles and downed both German fighters that attacked the barge. Seems like fantasy? Well, that's probably because it is. The barge in question did indeed sink, but not because of German attack. Mind you, the Germans did occasionally bomb vessels crossing the Ladoga lake, but this one was not bombed. It sank because it was overloaded and in somewhat poor shape, and because weather conditions were unfavourable. But instead of making a powerful drama about civilians fleeing starvation inside a besieged city, and drowning in the process, the film makers thought this should be an action movie with Russian supermen who down planes with a single bullet... Twice! It is also a poorly written love story, and yet another story of reconciliation, as NKVD captain becomes friends with the guy he was going to have shot along with his father. You see, recent Russian war films are obsessed with the message of reconciliation between Russians, despite ideological and other divides that existed in 1941. In the end, the film ends up being a manipulative mess that provides no payoff. It is also disrespectful towards the people who died.

I was not brave enough to ONLY try this crap fom Russia till the end. Hollywood on Neva. Clichés and propaganda at the worst. Maybe film making is good, and special effects CGI too, but I still have in mind the pure masterpiece that Sergio Leone had planned to direct, back in 1989. Imagine Sergio Leone making a film about the 900 days of Leningrad Siege. Imagine this film which will never be, and compare this scheme with this pure garbage stuff. I tried and puked all over the joint.

Kind of enjoyed this. A tad disjointed,think the editing department needed either more direction or a bigger budget. The cinematography was good and soundtrack was fitting, reminiscent of James Horner John Barry. Watched with English subtitles which in parts were a bit too literal. Not the worst war movie you will ever see and if you can forgive the frequent borrowings from saving private ryan and titanic you might enjoy. I give it a 5 out of 10. Watchable but only if your really stuck for something better.

Nobody saves Leningrad in the movie as the whole action takes places during approach of German army. Other than that, it is hard to believe it was made in 2019 as it is lowly propaganda of the worst kind. Communist Soviet Union made much better and truthful war movies. Any redeeming value is lost due to obvious steals from Titanic. Avoid at all cost.

Howcome russian filmakers has become that good?? i just saw tank-34 and now spasti leningrad, about the evacuation of leningrad on the lake ladoga in september 1941 . it shows just a small part of the operations , but its a marvellous story, and darn impressive use of cgi and vfx visualls. the cinematography and the setup of the barge and land battle scenes are very reliable and well done. its top notch filmaking in the wargenre!!

its a love story, and its a story of bravery and pride in the love and fight for mother russia, of course with the usual russian twists, but it dares to show how permeated the russian society where by the nkvd and political police, and also shows the ''kill if retreat''policy that ruled the russian military forces during 2 nd world war, that scared the heck out of both soldiers and civilians.

the acting are what you wish for in this kinda movie genre, there are no major flaws in the production, and its intense from A-Z. ill dare to say that this was far better than ''dunkirk'' in many areas, not as vehement as t-34 ,but scores on every area of importance in making a war film.

if you want something else away from hollywood, the grumpy old man can recommend the latest russian war movies, as this one.