Defenders of Riga (2007)
"Rigas sargi" (original title)

The film dramatizes November 11, 1919- a crucial date in the battle for Latvian independence. A year after the end of the official hostilities of WWI, a renegade German general and troops ... See full summary »

Director:

Aigars Grauba

Writers:

Lisa Eichhorn, Lisa Eichhorn,

Stars:

Janis Reinis, Elita Klavina, Girts Krumins

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Janis Reinis	...	Martin
Elita Klavina	...	Elza
Girts Krumins	...	Pavel Bermont
Romualds Ancans	...	General Golc
Girts Kesteris	...	Arnolds
Andris Keiss	...	Ernests Savickis
Vilis Daudzins	...	Paulis
Arturs Skrastins	...	Jekabs
Kestutis Jakstas	...	President Karlis Ulmanis
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ainars Ancevskis
Uldis Anze
Enriko Avots	...	Postman
Juris Bartkevics
Indra Brike	...	Countess
Paul Butkevich

Storyline

The film dramatizes November 11, 1919- a crucial date in the battle for Latvian independence. A year after the end of the official hostilities of WWI, a renegade German general and troops remain outside the Latvian capital. Latvian riflemen, most of them inexperienced volunteers, somehow managed to defeat a larger, better-armed force of German and Russian mercenaries.

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Plot Keywords:

battle | year 1919 | post world war one | riga | latvia

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Genres:

Documentary | Action | Drama | History | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Latvia

Language:

Latvian German Russian French English

Release Date:

March 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Defenders of Riga

Filming Locations:

Cinevilla, Slampe, Latvia

Box Office

Budget:

LVL 2,197,496 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Platforma Filma, Ruut Pictures, Valsts Kulturkapitala Fonds (VKF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As of 2007, this is the most expensive Latvian movie ever made.

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Goofs

Character Martins rings a bell of the church to signal others about successful attack. Actually, all bells from churches where moved to Russia during the First World War. The only church bell left, was in St. Peter's church, and it was used as a fire alarm.

User Reviews

Brilliant movie in context of Latvian cinema!

Of course, the movie wasn't perfect. Movies seldom are. Some special effects weren't as good as in big budget Hollywood blockbusters but they were pretty impressive considering 4 million dollar budget this film had (i think many will wonder how it's possible for 4 million only). Also i liked the fact that the main characters weren't some kind of Rembo who kills everything and everywhere around. It was clearly seen that these guys were ordinary Latvian people who made their own contribution as they could make Latvia happen. Love story (stories) weren't too cheesy also and overall the movie was pretty believable. Of course, as always there will be some who will shout against historical imprecision but in that case if all would be true to the facts, movie would be far from being so close emotionally to viewers. Also i liked the fact that the grand battle wasn't the most emotional moment in this movie and wasn't going on for a half an hour as often in foreign movies. Main emotional moment was the last scene in my opinion. You should see it, Latvians and foreigners too because everybody knows the story behind Troy, King Arthur or Pearl Harbor but this story is unknown to foreign people, story about little nation struggling to keep its newly gained independence after 700 years under foreign rulers.