Parker Hall

An impressively accurate movie and a tour de force of Russian acting. This isn't slanted propaganda, nor is it Saving Private Ryan. It's got action, but on a small and messy scale, like many of the little battles fought and forgotten all across the Eastern Front. Mainly though, this is a personal tale of two Russian soldiers making their way across the vast Stepp and grappling with the concepts of duty, courage, friendship, and the brutality of war. It all comes with a fantastically Russian mindset, which was really refreshing and interesting for me. An incredibly real, raw, and emotional tale that brought me through the full spectrum of human emotion. The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that there are some pacing issues near the end. Gets a bit rushed, unfortunately. Honestly, I wish it was two or even 2:30 hrs. It's completely worth a watch, though. More western people need to see these perspectives of a side of the war that is so often overlooked and discounted.