The Battle of Neretva (1969)

World war two drama about the 1943 battle around the Neretva River between Axis forces and Yugoslav partisan units.

Director:

Veljko Bulajic

Writers:

Stevan Bulajic (story), Ratko Djurovic (story)

Stars:

Yul Brynner, Hardy Krüger, Franco Nero

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yul Brynner	...	Vlado
Hardy Krüger	...	Kranzer
Franco Nero	...	Riva
Sylva Koscina	...	Danica
Orson Welles	...	Senator
Curd Jürgens	...	Lohring
Anthony Dawson	...	Morelli
Milena Dravic	...	Nada
Sergey Bondarchuk	...	Martin (as Sergej Bondarcuk)
Ljubisa Samardzic	...	Novak
Velimir 'Bata' Zivojinovic	...	Stole (as Bata Zivojinovic)
Boris Dvornik	...	Stipe
Oleg Vidov	...	Nikola
Pavle Vuisic	...	Sofer
Howard Ross	...	Mario (as Renato Rossini)

Storyline

Battle on Neretva known as the ''fourth offensive'' the most humane battle in World War II led by Yugoslav partisans. In January 1943 German army, afraid of Allied invasion of Balkans, launched great offensive against Yugoslav Partisans in Western Bosnia.They encircle the mountain and begin the mop up operation. Out gunned and outnumbered the partisans must not only take care of themselves but try to protect thousands of refugees too. Providing a heroic resistance, multiple superior enemy partisans advancing towards the only remaining bridge over the Neretva river, through which they intend to transfer himself and wounded at free territory. Therefore, all the shock decision of the Supreme Headquarters to demolish the bridge, but it is just as foolish ruse to weaken the enemy forces on the other side of the river. Movie Battle of Neretva is usually the most famous work by the Yugoslav film industry has produced.

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Plot Keywords:

partisan | battle | offensive | river | supreme headquarters | 

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Taglines:

They fought the most terrible war machine in man's history

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name "Neretva" in the title is of Illyrian origin, and refers to the largest river of the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea basin and is situated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia. It runs from its source at Lebrnik and the Zelengora Mountains in the Dinaric Alps of Bosnia and Herzegovina to its mouth at the Adriatic Neretva Delta at Ploce, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Croatia.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Lohring: Keep this well in mind: any partisan you are tempted to spare will be glad to show you his gratitude for your sentimentality with a hand grenade or a couple of well aimed bullets.

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Crazy Credits

At the Neretva in occupied Europe, we fought one of the most celebrated and the most heroic battles for the wounded. Here was decided the fate of the Revolution. Here was victorious the brotherhood and unity of our peoples. Tito

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Alternate Versions

The original version had most of the actors speaking their native language and was subtitled; the film was dubbed in English and distributed world-wide, being accordingly subtitled. The English dubbed versions, running between 106 and 127 minutes, were rescored by Bernard Hermann as the original Vladmir Krause Ratjeric score had been mangled in the editing process. German and Croat-language video and DVD releases contain the original score.

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Connections

Referenced in Bal-Can-Can (2005)

User Reviews

Through a Glass Darkly

An amazing film. I have seen a 1h24 version, which is cut (you might say shot)to pieces, and it is like a Western European person's understanding of that part of the war - seen as though far away. You can't even tell the uniforms apart, which makes it all the more moving. You have no idea who is friend or foe. This is Europe tearing itself apart. And it's incomprehensible. All that's left is the terrible human (and equine - they did this on foot and on horseback) cost.

Knowing that Yougoslavia recently went through all this again makes it even more tragic.

The music is fabulous too.

I think I shall try to find a full 2 hour Yougoslave version.

Details

Official Sites:

Troma

Country:

Yugoslavia Italy West Germany USA

Language:

Serbo-Croatian German Italian English

Release Date:

7 October 1969 (Yugoslavia)

Also Known As:

The Battle of the River Neretva

Filming Locations:

Jablanica na Neretvi, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Yugoslavia

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bosna Film, Jadran Film, Kinema Sarajevo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

175 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1