Top 5 Soviet World War II Movies: Exploring the Best Films of the Era - Don't Miss These Must-Watch Classics!
I was born in the Soviet Union. To be exact in one of the republics of the Soviet Union. So during my childhood, we were watching mostly Soviet movies and little from abroad. I especially liked movies about the Second World War.
It was not long since the war ended and we were celebrating victory every year on May 9. My grandfather, and grandmother both fought in the war and attended these celebrations as veterans. So even when we played war games with my brother when we were kids, we were fighting Nazis.
So these are Soviet movies I loved and think they are one of the best Soviet movies about World War II.
The Top 5 Soviet World War II Movies You Need to Watch
Here is the list in my opinion top 5 Soviet movies about the Second World War:1. The Dawns Here Are Quiet (А зори здесь тихие - 1972)
The movie is about the garrison of female anti-aircraft gunners. They are located behind the frontline. Their commander Company Sergeant Major Vaskov is not used to command to women. The first parts of the movie are funny. But one day. One of the women in the group spots Germans in the forest who are trying to pass their line.
She only saw two German paratroopers and Vaskov takes five volunteers from female anti-aircraft gunners to go and capture them. But when they will find paratroopers in the forest they will see that they are not just two. Way more than that. With machine guns. The number of German paratroopers is more than them, plus with better guns. But they will still try to stop them.
Along with this story, the movie also tells the story of each woman. How war changed, affected their lives, took away their closed ones, or made them leave their civil lives and go to war.
It was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category
The movie was directed by Stanislav Rostotsky and based on Boris Vasilyev's novel of the same name.
Related post: Top 50 Must-Watch Soviet Movies: An Unforgettable Cinematic Journey
“Father of a Soldier” is a Soviet (Georgian) movie about a father who will follow his son during the Second World War. Georgy Makharashvili is a Georgian farmer who grows wine. His son is in the army and is a tankist. His tank was hit and he was injured. Georgy Makharashvili got a letter from his son when he is in the hospital and goes to visit him. But at the time he got there, his son Goderdzi got was discharged and went back to fight.
Makharashvili does not know what to do. How can he go back and tell his wife that he went all the way to the hospital and didn’t see their son. So he decides to find his son. He follows the Soviet army while they advance on the Nazis and even becomes a soldier. Even though they tell him you are too old. He goes until Berlin when at the end of the war Soviets get the German capital. He finds his son only to see him for the last few minutes of his life.
The movie was directed by Revaz Chkheidze and based on a script by Suliko Jgenti.
2. Father of a Soldier (Отец солдата - 1964)
“Father of a Soldier” is a Soviet (Georgian) movie about a father who will follow his son during the Second World War. Georgy Makharashvili is a Georgian farmer who grows wine. His son is in the army and is a tankist. His tank was hit and he was injured. Georgy Makharashvili got a letter from his son when he is in the hospital and goes to visit him. But at the time he got there, his son Goderdzi got was discharged and went back to fight.
Makharashvili does not know what to do. How can he go back and tell his wife that he went all the way to the hospital and didn’t see their son. So he decides to find his son. He follows the Soviet army while they advance on the Nazis and even becomes a soldier. Even though they tell him you are too old. He goes until Berlin when at the end of the war Soviets get the German capital. He finds his son only to see him for the last few minutes of his life.
The movie was directed by Revaz Chkheidze and based on a script by Suliko Jgenti.
Related post: The TOP 3 "best movies of all time" lists by film critics
The movie tells the story of Andrei Sokolov, who is a truck driver for the red army. And just after joining the military his truck got hit by a bomb and he found himself as a prisoner of war in a German camp. One of the memorable moments of the movie is when Sokolov is a prisoner. German officer summons him and asks to drink for the Nazis. He refuses and is willing to die for it. Just before shooting him, a German officer asks him to drink for the Soviets. So he did. A full glass of drink in one sip. They ask him to eat something. But he won’t. So it goes the same with the second glass. Germans are in shock. How can a man drink like this? So this saves his life.
Fate, his destiny will show Sokolov more sorrow. He will run from prison and come back to his hometown just to learn that his wife and daughter died in their house during a bombing. And his only son also was killed on the last day of the war. But fate will also make him another surprise. While he is driving his truck after the war he finds a poor starving child. And decides to adopt him by telling him that he is his father. Because the kid doesn’t remember his father who died in the war. This is the most touching moment of the movie.
The movie was directed by Sergei Bondarchuk and was adopted to film from the novel by Mikhail Sholokhov.
3. Fate of a Man (Судьба человека - 1959)
The movie tells the story of Andrei Sokolov, who is a truck driver for the red army. And just after joining the military his truck got hit by a bomb and he found himself as a prisoner of war in a German camp. One of the memorable moments of the movie is when Sokolov is a prisoner. German officer summons him and asks to drink for the Nazis. He refuses and is willing to die for it. Just before shooting him, a German officer asks him to drink for the Soviets. So he did. A full glass of drink in one sip. They ask him to eat something. But he won’t. So it goes the same with the second glass. Germans are in shock. How can a man drink like this? So this saves his life.
Fate, his destiny will show Sokolov more sorrow. He will run from prison and come back to his hometown just to learn that his wife and daughter died in their house during a bombing. And his only son also was killed on the last day of the war. But fate will also make him another surprise. While he is driving his truck after the war he finds a poor starving child. And decides to adopt him by telling him that he is his father. Because the kid doesn’t remember his father who died in the war. This is the most touching moment of the movie.
The movie was directed by Sergei Bondarchuk and was adopted to film from the novel by Mikhail Sholokhov.
Related post: Movie Review: The Fool (2014) - One of the best Russian movies
.jpg)
"Ballad of a Soldier" is a timeless Soviet war film that follows the remarkable journey of a young soldier named Alyosha. Amidst the chaos of World War II, Alyosha is granted a brief leave to visit his mother. As he travels back home, he encounters various individuals who reflect the diverse experiences and emotions of war. This poignant film beautifully captures the sacrifices, love, and humanity that persist even in the face of adversity. "Ballad of a Soldier" is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling, captivating performances, and its ability to evoke both sorrow and hope in equal measure.
.jpeg)
"The Cranes Are Flying" is a masterpiece of Soviet cinema that revolves around the story of Veronika and Boris, a young couple deeply in love, whose lives are upended by the outbreak of World War II. As Boris is sent to the front lines, Veronika faces the challenges of separation, loss, and the harsh realities of war. This visually stunning film explores the impact of war on human relationships and portrays the resilience of the human spirit amidst despair. "The Cranes Are Flying" received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, striking cinematography, and its poignant portrayal of love and hope in the midst of wartime turmoil.
Note: If you watched any of these movies or liked any other Soviet movies, please comment.
4. Ballad of a Soldier (Баллада о солдате - 1959)
.jpg)
"Ballad of a Soldier" is a timeless Soviet war film that follows the remarkable journey of a young soldier named Alyosha. Amidst the chaos of World War II, Alyosha is granted a brief leave to visit his mother. As he travels back home, he encounters various individuals who reflect the diverse experiences and emotions of war. This poignant film beautifully captures the sacrifices, love, and humanity that persist even in the face of adversity. "Ballad of a Soldier" is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling, captivating performances, and its ability to evoke both sorrow and hope in equal measure.
5. The Cranes Are Flying (Летят журавли - 1957)
.jpeg)
"The Cranes Are Flying" is a masterpiece of Soviet cinema that revolves around the story of Veronika and Boris, a young couple deeply in love, whose lives are upended by the outbreak of World War II. As Boris is sent to the front lines, Veronika faces the challenges of separation, loss, and the harsh realities of war. This visually stunning film explores the impact of war on human relationships and portrays the resilience of the human spirit amidst despair. "The Cranes Are Flying" received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, striking cinematography, and its poignant portrayal of love and hope in the midst of wartime turmoil.
Note: If you watched any of these movies or liked any other Soviet movies, please comment.
.jpg)
