Tuntematon sotilas (1955)

In 1941 Finland attacks the Soviet Union to regain the territory that the Soviet Union occupied after the Winter war 1939-1940. Among the Finnish soldiers are Anttero, Wolf Paw, Koskela and... See full summary »

Director:

Edvin Laine

Writers:

Väinö Linna (novel), Juha Nevalainen

Stars:

Kosti Klemelä, Heikki Savolainen, Reino Tolvanen

7 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kosti Klemelä	...	Koskela
Heikki Savolainen	...	Hietanen
Reino Tolvanen	...	Rokka
Veikko Sinisalo	...	Lahtinen
Åke Lindman	...	Lehto
Pentti Siimes	...	Määttä
Leo Riuttu	...	Vanhala
Kaarlo Halttunen	...	Rahikainen
Matti Ranin	...	Kariluoto
Jussi Jurkka	...	Lammio
Tauno Palo	...	Sarastie
Pentti Irjala	...	Kaarna
Vilho Siivola	...	Mäkilä
Martti Romppanen	...	Sihvonen
Tapio Hämäläinen	...	Salo

Storyline

In 1941 Finland attacks the Soviet Union to regain the territory that the Soviet Union occupied after the Winter war 1939-1940. Among the Finnish soldiers are Anttero, Wolf Paw, Koskela and Hietanen. Under great hardships and deaths of comrades in arms they manage to come as far as Lake Onega before the losses become too great.

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Plot Keywords:

finnish soldier | finnish | finland | year 1941 | soviet finnish war | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Release Date:

23 December 1955 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Az ismeretlen katona

Filming Locations:

Luumäki, Finland

Box Office

Budget:

FIM 46,667,761 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Suomen Filmiteollisuus

Technical Specs

Runtime:

177 min 121 min (cut) 135 min (1956)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rokka, Hietanen, Honkajoki, Lahtinen and Koskela are the only characters, whose first names are mentioned in the film (Antero 'Antti' Rokka, Urho Hietanen, Yrjö Lahtinen, Vilho 'Ville' Koskela).

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Quotes

Hauhia: How does it feel to shoot a human-being?
Rokka: I don't know. I have only shoot the enemies.
Hauhia: Aren't they human-beings?
Rokka: The wise men say that they aren't.

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Connections

Followed by Akseli ja Elina (1970)

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Soundtracks

Kuularuiskulaulu
Lyrics and Music Composed by Reino Palmroth (as R.W. Palmroth)
Sung by Kosti Klemelä

User Reviews

I think it is sad...

that someone wants to claim this movie, although it can be an "inner-circle-finnish" film, soviet propaganda. I merely would like to straighten out some facts that appeared on Politi Kasse's comment (that obviously was nothing more than a quarrelsome lie).

First, the finnish socialists did NOT join soviet partisans. The Finnish Social-democratic party had by WW2 become a party that represents political center. Some - and very few - finnish COMMUNISTS joined the partisans. It is true, however, that before the war the swedish government pressured Finland to surrender, to avoid a political conflict. And I think that was awful to hear when I first heard that, and I am very much offended of Politi Kasse's words.

Secondly, I, for one, was not forced to read the book in school. I read it two summers ago, and I don't recalled being TOLD to do so. Thirdly, that stuff about Renny Harlin having to flee to USA is ... well I won´t even dignify that with an answer.

I am deeply offended of Politi Kasse's comment, and although I file it under the rather inexhaustible file of Swedish Jealousy, I will reserve the right to make you EAT the print-out of your comment if we would ever happen to meet.

Yours, Tsulkaturin aka VP Hämäläinen, Keminmaa Finland.