David F's comments are those who does not understand history and not just the history in the movie. Russia (then Soviet Union) praised this film to make the population aware that forces from the west (German) were still at that time a potential enemy and therefor threat to the U.S.S. R. The film and its score a a treat to watch and hear while the film made under Soviet restrictions was before the German-Soviet Peace pact and was withdrawn. In 1941 when nazi troops invaded Soviet Russia, Stalin, had it shown in Cinemas across the country. To make a low comment about it being an old film about an older battle is why it only gets a 7.4 on IMDB. Some poor editing does affect the film but this relates to political interference, IMO.