★ 7 / 10
Though there isn’t too much by way of
CinemaSerf
Though there isn’t too much by way of detailed characterisation here, this is certainly one of the most affecting depictions of the Second World War you’re…
Though there isn’t too much by way of detailed characterisation here, this is certainly one of the most affecting depictions of the Second World War you’re likely to watch. The Nazis are getting beaten in North Africa and are terrified that this might lead to an Allied landing somewhere in the Balkans. To that end, General Löhring (Curd Jürgens) is ordered to work with his Italian allies and with their Chetnik Yugoslavian fighters to defeat the army of Joseph Tito’s communist forces. On paper, it appears to be the simplest of pincer movements at he has command of vastly superior forces, but the defenders are made of stern stuff and although significantly outnumbered, outgunned, weighed down with many hundreds of refugees and dealing with reports of typhus spreading freely, they determine to get to the fast-flowing Neretva river and cross the bridge to some semblance of safety. That’s the plan, anyway, but with the winter snow at it’s January height and conditions in terms of materiel, food and water all getting desperate, this plan is going to have to change as circumstances change. There are a few faces like Yul Brynner, Franco Nero, Hardy Kruger and Orson Welles appearing from time to time, but this isn’t a film about stars. It’s a film about the perseverance of the ordinary soldiers facing a constant stream of bullets and shelling from tanks and artillery whilst they are hungry, cold, and sometimes reduced to taking shelter behind gravestones. There is a limited attempt to explain the internal and sometimes quite internecine political divides between both sides that is a little undercooked, but in some ways that helps create the sense of confusion that prevailed on both sides as the parties vied for supremacy. The visual effects are impressive as they really do offer us something of the true atrocities and brutality of war. Sacrifices are having to be made by families and loved ones, difficult orders given and obeyed, and all while these people are attacked indiscriminately from land and sky. It’s a battle where winning, for anyone, is merely surviving long enough to fight another day and director Veljko Bulajic manage to convey well the true horrors of mechanised conflict, pride and determination.
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★ 8 / 10
Saving Private Ryan on Yugoslavian way
Igor_Husak
There is something special about big films made in commanded economies. Because they had not only artistic but also educational and "raising national spirit"…
There is something special about big films made in commanded economies. Because they had not only artistic but also educational and "raising national spirit" function, they were filmed with big budget and almost national participation (on more or less voluntary base)- forget Hollywood free market film.This film is not exception - it's one of the biggest Yugoslavian projects made with dream team - most famous and appreciated actors and actresses, respected director and episode roles of famous international stars - Yul Brynner and Orson Wells.The other side of the story with such films is theirs success. Most of them are to pathetic and politically made to be accepted anywhere beyond the borders of their own country. The Battle of Neretva is different - it became well accepted broad wide, mostly in third world but even is some high developed countries like Italy and even got nominated for Oscar.So if you got lost and somehow find yourselves on this page and wonder what kind of film this is here's the summary - expensive Yugoslavian epic story with LOT and LOT of action in less explicit but Saving Private Ryan type spiced with Partisans (good guys) vs Nazis (bad guys) story. Give it a chance - you may find it refreshing, original and interesting compared with Hollywood war films. Spielberg probably learned a lot watching it.
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65%
AUDIENCE
· 250 ratings
7.0/10
4.5K
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this is in german not serbian croatian and mixed german and intilan for the troops