About the film
What is left of a Soviet regiment falls back across the Don steppe in the hot summer of 1942. Bondarchuk follows a handful of soldiers through endless marches, short rests and brutal fighting.
The film is famous for its cast, a gathering of the best Soviet actors of the time, and for its mix of battle scenes and quiet, funny conversations between ordinary men.
It is also remembered as the last film of Vasily Shukshin, who died during the production.
Did you know?
- Vasily Shukshin died on location in 1974; some of his lines were re-recorded by another actor.
- It was made to mark the 30th anniversary of victory in 1945.
- It was shown in competition at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival.
