Beyond Enemy Lines (2004)
"Framom främsta linjen" (original title)

A story of the infantry regiment 61 that fought from Syväri to the Karelian Ishtmus.

Director:

Åke Lindman

Writers:

Stefan Forss (screenplay), Harry Järv (diary),

Stars:

Tobias Zilliacus, Ilkka Heiskanen, Christoffer Westerlund

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tobias Zilliacus	...	Harry Järv
Ilkka Heiskanen	...	Lt.Col. Alpo Marttinen
Christoffer Westerlund	...	Allan Finholm
Kim Gustafsson	...	Björk
Martin Bahne	...	Lindblad
Carl-Gustaf Wentzel	...	Forss
Jan-Christian Söderholm	...	Klas Helèn
Sampo Sarkola	...	Kaustinen
Johan Rönneholm	...	Händig
Joachim Thibblin	...	Bertel Söderman
Oskar Silén	...	Lt. Mattas
Paavo Kerosuo
Patrick Henriksen	...	Rosenlöf
Peter Kanerva	...	Olof Fagerström
Jan Korander	...	Löfman

Storyline

A movie based on real wartime diaries tells the story of the Swedish speaking Finns' infantry regiment 61. The story follows the regiment during the Continuation War from 1942 to 1944 and from Syväri to the Karelian Isthmus where they faced some of the most grueling battles against the Soviet Union.

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Plot Keywords:

continuation war | world war two | based on journal | historical event

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Finland] Official site [Finland] (Swedish)

Country:

Finland

Language:

Swedish Finnish Russian

Release Date:

5 March 2004 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Beyond Enemy Lines

Filming Locations:

Vekarajärvi, Valkeala, Kouvola, Finland

Box Office

Budget:

€3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Åke Lindman Film-Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Etulinjan takana (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Adagio Triosta"
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Carelia Trio

User Reviews

Tame war movie

This film is about the real life Finnish war hero Harry Järv, who is still alive in Stockholm and started a career as a literature scientist after the war. The film starts in his home (?), where Järv, wearing lots and lots of medals, together with a friend who hasn't really that amount of medals, tell the beginning of the story for a young woman.

When we move back to Russia in 1943 and the drama begins. Of course you can make a war movie like this, but it can be done much better. It is rather bad acting on many hands, although Ilkka Heiskanen passes as the lieutenant colonel. Although the battle scenes appear realistic, there is a kind of heroism here, which you thought died even before John Wayne did. Of course Finland's struggle was heroic, but the fact is that Finland 1941-1944 fought beside the Germans. They were brothers in arms. That might rise some questions, but hardly in this movie.

One did expect more. No medals for the director here.