Talvisota (1989)

Director:

Pekka Parikka

Writers:

Pekka Parikka (writer)
Antti Tuuri (novel)

Release Date:

30 November 1989 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama | History | War

Tagline:

They held back the Russian Juggernaut in a frozen Hell!

Plot:

Russia attacked Finland in late November 1939. This film tells the story of a Finnish platoon of reservists...

Plot Keywords:

Russia | Finland | Farmer | Past | Patrol

Awards:

7 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Taneli Mäkelä	...	Private Martti Hakala
Vesa Vierikko	...	2nd Lieutenant Jussi Kantola
Timo Torikka	...	Private Pentti Saari
Heikki Paavilainen	...	Private Vilho Erkkilä
Antti Raivio	...	Corporal Erkki Somppi
Esko Kovero	...	Medical Corporal Juho Pernaa
Martti Suosalo	...	Private Arvi Huhtala
Markku Huhtamo	...	Private Aatos Laitila
Matti Onnismaa	...	Corporal Veikko Korpela
Konsta Mäkelä	...	Private Paavo Hakala
Tomi Salmela	...	Private Matti Ylinen
Samuli Edelmann	...	Private Mauri Haapasalo
Vesa Mäkelä	...	Lieutenant Yrjö Haavisto
Aarno Sulkanen	...	Captain Sihvo - battalion commander
Kari Kihlström	...	Lieutenant Jorma Potila

Also Known As:

The Winter War (International: English title)
Vinterkriget (Finland: Swedish title)

Runtime:

195 min | USA:125 min | Finland:265 min (TV version) (5 parts)

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:18 (1990) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Haapamäki, Finland

Company:

National Filmi Oy

Trivia:

Director Pekka Parikka wasn't actually planning to make an extended TV version back in the late eighties. He received financial help from Finnish Broadcasting Company, and they wanted him to make a miniseries for Finnish TV. It has an hour of additional footage compared to the original theatrical version.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the battle of Äyräpää, some attacking Russian soldiers can be seen wielding modern assault rifles.

Quotes:

Aatos Laitila: If it gets any colder we'll need dynamite to break up the cheese.
Arvi Huhtala: Let Russian artillery do it for us.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Matka suomalaiseen elokuvaan: Muistoja sodasta (#1.1)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Ich spür' in mir

An unknown gem--one of the most powerful war films ever made.

TALVISOTA (Winter War) deals with the 1939-40 Russo-Finnish War, a largely forgotten conflict that was one of the most savage wars of the 20th century. The Soviet Union invaded Finland in November of 1939 when the Finns refused Stalin's demands to relinquish some of their territory in Karelia. The Finns were outnumbered 50-1 but fought with incredible courage and tenacity and inflicted a half million casualties on the Soviets before they were forced to capitulate in March of 1940. The Russians were equally brave but not as smart; they stormed well defended positions en mass and were mowed down by the hundreds. TALVISOTA brilliantly captures the horror and carnage of that war and all wars. Disturbing and depressing but also a gripping and deeply moving experience. Makes SAVING PRIVATE RYAN look like a walk in the park.