Talvisota (1989)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Pekka Parikka

Writers:

Pekka Parikka (writer)
Antti Tuuri (novel)

Release Date:

30 November 1989 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama | History | War

Tagline:

They held back the Russian Juggernaut in a frozen Hell!

Plot:

Russia attacked Finland in late November 1939. This film tells the story of a Finnish platoon of reservists...

Plot Keywords:

Russia | Finland | Farmer | Past | Patrol

Awards:

7 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Taneli Mäkelä	...	Private Martti Hakala
Vesa Vierikko	...	2nd Lieutenant Jussi Kantola
Timo Torikka	...	Private Pentti Saari
Heikki Paavilainen	...	Private Vilho Erkkilä
Antti Raivio	...	Corporal Erkki Somppi
Esko Kovero	...	Medical Corporal Juho Pernaa
Martti Suosalo	...	Private Arvi Huhtala
Markku Huhtamo	...	Private Aatos Laitila
Matti Onnismaa	...	Corporal Veikko Korpela
Konsta Mäkelä	...	Private Paavo Hakala
Tomi Salmela	...	Private Matti Ylinen
Samuli Edelmann	...	Private Mauri Haapasalo
Vesa Mäkelä	...	Lieutenant Yrjö Haavisto
Aarno Sulkanen	...	Captain Sihvo - battalion commander
Kari Kihlström	...	Lieutenant Jorma Potila

Also Known As:

The Winter War (International: English title)
Vinterkriget (Finland: Swedish title)

Runtime:

195 min | USA:125 min | Finland:265 min (TV version) (5 parts)

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:18 (1990) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Haapamäki, Finland

Company:

National Filmi Oy

Trivia:

Director Pekka Parikka wasn't actually planning to make an extended TV version back in the late eighties. He received financial help from Finnish Broadcasting Company, and they wanted him to make a miniseries for Finnish TV. It has an hour of additional footage compared to the original theatrical version.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the battle of Äyräpää, some attacking Russian soldiers can be seen wielding modern assault rifles.

Quotes:

Corporal Erkki Somppi: Paavo, you stay here.
Paavo Hakala: Is this a bad spot?
Soldier that leaves the position.: Nothing but bad spots here, pal.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Matka suomalaiseen elokuvaan: Muistoja sodasta (#1.1)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Ich spür' in mir

When Hell freezes over.

This movie explores the mostly unknown, and extremely bloody part of Second World War, the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939-40. For 105 days the Finns fought a numerically superior enemy before the war ended with 25,000 Finns and over 200,000 Russians dead. Forget Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line, this movie shows what desperate war against overwhelming odds is about; desperation, lack of ammunition, constant bombardment, and nothing but your wits and your rifle to help you survive. Rightfully, the horrors of war are shown having effect on both sides; Finns are pinned down to the point of hardly living at all in dirt and constant fear of death, while Russians are mowed down in hundreds and mercilessly shot in the back. Excellent performances, good effects and marvelous photography makes this masterpiece not only one of the finest Finnish movies ever, but also a reminder that war is brutal, bloody, futile, and that it's the men on the front, Finnish or Russian, who have to die and bear the price for mankind's ultimate stupidity. Word of warning: violence is very graphic at times, especially in the close combat scenes.