warfilmman
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Registered: 02-2005
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The Fall of Berlin
The Fall of Berlin - 1949
This has to be the strangest film in my collection. It is a Russian made film about WWII covering events from the German invasion of Ruusia, through Stalingrad and ending in Berlin with the liberation of the Reichstag. Made in 1949 it of course is totally non-objective in its portrayal of events. It starts off showing a steel worker being awarded the Order of Stalin for producing a high steel quota, he meets and falls in love with a young teacher and as they walk through a corn field the invasion begins. The film is basically two merged into one. Most of the film depicts the leaders (both German and Russian) planning the battles, the sub-plot of the Russian hero (now a brave soldier) searching for Natasha whilst taking part in huge battles is really just a sideshow.
Stalin is depicted as a kind old uncle figure, wise and kind, revered by his people and beloved be all of the Soviet Union. Hitler though is almost portrayed as an animal, a hunched figure all shouting and twitching and clearly as mad as a brush. The actors are very much like their counterparts, even a convincing Roosevelt and Churchill are seen at the Yalta conference. The movie takes diabolical liberties with history throughout but still is a fascinating glimpse into another world. The acting is mostly terrible, though subtitled, the eye and body movements alone seem more like a pantomime production or an old silent movie. By the late 40s western cinema had refined to a craft totally removed from a theatrical style. Hitler is possibly the most interesting character reminding me of the Child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang bang.
The battle scenes though are breathtaking, literally dozens of T34/85s and other good Russian tanks, good German equipment and simply fantastic photography. These tanks are really moving over large open plains, you even see Germans firing Panzerfausts. My video copy is not too clear, I would love to see a crisp DVD version, but I doubt it will ever be seen. I have a great interest in Soviet history, though I have not read much, films like this and Stalin with Robert Duvall and even Animal Farm are very informative. Definitely a film with a unique telling of events.
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2/12/2005, 3:14 am
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