Unknown Soldier (2017) Five Episode TV Series (English Subtitles) 2-Disc Blu Ray [Nordic Import]
L**S
Great Five Episode WW2 Mini-Series
Fantastic, I would highly recommend this over watching the Film version. I had no problems with the English subtitles.
E**E
TV version
The adaptation of a very successful book (in Finland ...) dedicated to the participation of Finns in World War II. After the Winter War in which they defended themselves by fighting alone from the Soviet invasion, the Finns took the opportunity to take back the territories they had just lost by siding alongside the Nazi attack on the USSR. It is a story of men at war, mostly peasants who leave their families and farms (perhaps just reconquered in Karelia) to fight for "Greater Finland". Despite being a TV program (in 5 episodes) there is a good reconstruction of vehicles and uniforms (without particular computerized special effects). No heroics or flags in the wind, just a band of brothers (or rather cousins) who fight the enemy without hatred (except on rare occasions, the enemy is faceless) that they prefer to reserve for some of their officers. If you appreciate the war genre it is a great movie with an unusual setting.
A**A
Essential even if you have the original 1985 film.
I own 9 Finnish war films and all are amazing. There's parts of the original 1985 Tuntematon Sotilas that I prefer, including the beginning and end linked being the 'unknown soldier' and the dark tone. I have also seen this 2017 version butchered down to 3 hour film, which is still good, but I would recommend getting the full 5 episode version at about 4 hours 30m. Not only does it give better character depth but has the opportunity to tell more of the machine gun company's actions and members. The 3 hour 16m original remains a classic with this 2017 version a more detailed account from another perspective, as every story has at least two perspectives, with not every soldier experiencing the same emotions or having the same memories from the same events. Very gritty and a lot of combat, as with most Finnish war films.
R**S
A wonderful epic from Finland.
I have been waiting for an English subtitles version of the classic Finnish film since I first heard of it in 2017, but this is beyond my expectations. This is the five episode TV series, from which the film was taken.Photography and acting are wonderful, and the length of the series allows so much more development of characters and situations.I would rank this up there with the extended version of Talvisota, the Winter War, another Finnish epic, and that is a favourite of mine.I'm enjoy the humanity of the film and it's almost understated characterisation, which again echoes Talvisota.A wonderful film series and story, I must order the book from which it was adapted!5 stars is not enough!!
M**W
A fantastic and gritty war movie
A fantastic and gritty war movie of the Finnish-Soviet war 1941-44. Seeing clips of this on youtube I have been waiting for this to be released with English subtitles, it was well worth the wait. This DVD box set is the TV series version (in 5 chapters, each episode is approx an hour long). I noticed there is a movie version coming out soon, but its a cut down version of this box set. I would recommend going for this full version its more in-depth story.
M**S
Wonderfully atmospheric
I really enjoyed this. The photography is brilliant - you can almost feel the water dripping from the forest trees. I'm not an expert on this particular part of WW2 but from what little I do know the equipment looks "right". The acting is good and the events are portrayed in an exciting way. It's not a cheerful story but war is rarely happy.So a good series and not just for war film enthusiasts.
T**N
Best version of a cracking film in miniseries format
The five part series has English subtitles, and is more comprehensive than either film versions. Highly recommended unglamourous portrayal of war.
M**D
Deeply Touched
This is the most amazing film series, to think my grandfather was one of those brave men and survived to come home to his wife and my mum is just beyond amazing.
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