Films About Russia During WWII
The Second World War was a pivotal period in Russian history, marked by immense sacrifice and valor. Films set in this era often explore themes of heroism, loss, and the brutal realities of war, portraying the struggles of the Soviet people against the Axis powers. These films delve into the human experience, highlighting both the personal and collective challenges faced during wartime, as well as the resilience of the human spirit amidst chaos.
List of Films About Russia During WWII
“Come and See”
Director: Yanhua Gao
This harrowing anti-war film follows a young boy in Belarus as he witnesses the horrors of Nazi occupation. The film powerfully captures the traumatic impact of war on civilians and the loss of innocence.
Starring: Jaden Taylor, Jor Brunn, Elena Lyaskevich, Estella Volturo, Malcolm Lansky, West Wayne, Jonny Blackstone, Kerstin Alm, Sebastian Faure, Tom Bateman, Melissa Celikovic, Mary Edmonson, John Scott Mccormick, Jermery Paul, Yuliya Kumpan;
Genre: short film, drama, war, history;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“Enemy at the Gates”, 2001
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Set during the Battle of Stalingrad, this film depicts the fierce sniper duel between Soviet sniper Vasily Zaitsev and a German marksman. It explores themes of survival, patriotism, and the brutal realities of urban warfare.
Starring: Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes, Ed Harris, Bob Hoskins, Ron Perlman, Eva Mattes, Gabriel Thomson, Matthias Habich, Sophie Rois, Mario Bandi, Hans-Martin Stier, Clemens Schick, Alexander Schwan, Lenn Kudrjawizki, Hendrik Arnst, Claudius Freyer, Dietmar Nieder, Bernd Lambrecht, Jim Dowdall, Dan van Husen, Peter Silbereisen, Markus Majowski, Robert Stadlober, Gotthard Lange, Anna Böttcher, Holger Handtke, Marc Bischoff, Mark Zak, Thomas Petruo, Dmitri Alexandrov, David Pagel, Galina Dobberstein, Igor Rozinsky, Sergei Tokarev, Tom Wlaschiha, Marischka Schubarth, Natalya Bondar, Dana Cebulla, Piotr Papierz, Jarek Wozniak, Genia Makarov, Werner Daehn, Birol Ünel, Grigori Kofmann, Aleksei Nesterov;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: action, drama, war;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 131 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Enemy at the Gates” on the website imdb.com
“Stalingrad”, 1992
Director: Joseph Vilsmaier
A gritty depiction of the Battle of Stalingrad, this film focuses on the experiences of a group of Soviet soldiers as they endure the brutal conditions of one of the war's most significant battles.
Starring: Dominique Horwitz, Thomas Kretschmann, Jochen Nickel, Sebastian Rudolph, Dana Vávrová, Martin Benrath, Sylvester Groth, Karel Heřmánek, Heinz Emigholz, Ferdinand Schuster, Oliver Broumis, Dieter Okras, Zdenek Vencl, Mark Kuhn, Thorsten Bolloff, Alexander Wachholz, J. Alfred Mehnert, Ulrike Arnold, Christian Knoepfle, Flip Cap, Jaroslav Tomsa, Pavel Mang, Otto Sevcik, Jophi Ries, Svatopluk Ricánek, Otmar Dvorak, Karel Hábl, Thomas Lange, Karel Hlusicka, Alexander Koller, Petr Skarke, Hynek Čermák, Cestmír Randa, Jan Preucil, Bohumil Svarc, Pirjo Leppänen, Aale Mantila, Theresa Vilsmaier, Janina Vilsmaier, Oliver Steindler, Jana Matulová-Steindlerová, Karel Hermánek Jr., Pavel Zelízko;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: drama, war;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Stalingrad” on the website imdb.com
“Ballad of a Soldier”, 2005
Director: Kevin Breen, Oscar A. Diaz
A touching narrative about a young soldier who earns a short leave to visit his mother during World War II. The film examines the personal sacrifices of war and the bond between mother and son.
Starring: Oscar A. Diaz, Tony Natera, Emma Purvey, Enrique Saldarriaga, Gaby Smith;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: short film, war;
Duration: 10 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,6;
“Come and See”
Director: Yanhua Gao
This powerful film portrays the impact of Nazi occupation on a young boy in Belarus, offering a visceral experience of the atrocities committed during the war.
Starring: Jaden Taylor, Jor Brunn, Elena Lyaskevich, Estella Volturo, Malcolm Lansky, West Wayne, Jonny Blackstone, Kerstin Alm, Sebastian Faure, Tom Bateman, Melissa Celikovic, Mary Edmonson, John Scott Mccormick, Jermery Paul, Yuliya Kumpan;
Genre: short film, drama, war, history;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“The Ascent”, 2009
Director: S.J. Creazzo
Set in Nazi-occupied Belarus, this film follows two Soviet partisans who face moral dilemmas while trying to survive in a hostile environment. It explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and the complexities of human nature in wartime.
Starring: Josie Davis, William McNamara, Martin Kove, Courtney Gains, Joe Estevez, William Duffy, Anne W. Griffin, Michael Spellman, Larry Romano, Natalie Salins, Donny Boaz, David Chokachi, Evan Hilliard, Ross MacDonald, Dean McCann, Kerry Wallum, David Cuddy;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: action, thriller, drama;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 86 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 3,5;
These films collectively provide a multifaceted view of Russia's experience during World War II, each offering unique insights into the challenges and resilience of those who lived through this tumultuous time.
The selection of films about Russia during World War II offers a poignant and multifaceted portrayal of this significant historical period. These films capture the heroism, sacrifice, and resilience of the Russian people amidst the brutal backdrop of war. From epic battle scenes to intimate human stories, these films provide a valuable insight into the experiences of both soldiers and civilians during this tumultuous time. Through their powerful storytelling and captivating visuals, these films not only honor the memory of those who lived through the war but also serve as a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Russian people in the face of adversity.
