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IMDbPro

The Winter War

Original title: Talvisota
  • 19891989
  • 3h 19m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
8.2K
YOUR RATING
The Winter War (1989)
In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.
Play trailer3:06
1 Video
17 Photos
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
8.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Pekka Parikka
  • Writers
    • Pekka Parikka
    • Antti Tuuri(novel)
  • Stars
    • Taneli Mäkelä
    • Vesa Vierikko
    • Timo Torikka
Top credits
  • Director
    • Pekka Parikka
  • Writers
    • Pekka Parikka
    • Antti Tuuri(novel)
  • Stars
    • Taneli Mäkelä
    • Vesa Vierikko
    • Timo Torikka
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 41User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:06
    Trailer

    Photos17

    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    Konsta Mäkelä and Taneli Mäkelä in The Winter War (1989)
    Vesa Vierikko in The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)
    The Winter War (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Taneli Mäkelä
    • Martti Hakalaas Martti Hakala
    Vesa Vierikko
    Vesa Vierikko
    • Jussi Kantolaas Jussi Kantola
    Timo Torikka
    Timo Torikka
    • Pentti Saarias Pentti Saari
    Heikki Paavilainen
    • Vilho Erkkiläas Vilho Erkkilä
    Antti Raivio
    • Erkki Somppias Erkki Somppi
    Esko Kovero
    Esko Kovero
    • Juho Pernaaas Juho Pernaa
    Martti Suosalo
    Martti Suosalo
    • Arvi Huhtalaas Arvi Huhtala
    Markku Huhtamo
    • Aatos Laitilaas Aatos Laitila
    Matti Onnismaa
    • Veikko Korpelaas Veikko Korpela
    Konsta Mäkelä
    • Paavo Hakalaas Paavo Hakala
    Tomi Salmela
    Tomi Salmela
    • Matti Ylinenas Matti Ylinen
    Samuli Edelmann
    Samuli Edelmann
    • Mauri Haapasaloas Mauri Haapasalo
    • (as Samuli Edelman)
    Vesa Mäkelä
    • Yrjö Haavistoas Yrjö Haavisto
    Aarno Sulkanen
    • Pataljoonan komentajaas Pataljoonan komentaja
    Kari Kihlström
    • Jorma Potilaas Jorma Potila
    Esko Salminen
    Esko Salminen
    • Matti Laurilaas Matti Laurila
    Kari Sorvali
    • Hannu Jutilaas Hannu Jutila
    Ari-Kyösti Seppo
    • Ahti Saarias Ahti Saari
    • Director
      • Pekka Parikka
    • Writers
      • Pekka Parikka
      • Antti Tuuri(novel) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The tanks used are original Soviet T-26, captured by the Finns during the Continuation War of 1941-44 and then used as the backbone of the Finnish tank forces. Several are in driving conditions in Finnish museums.
    • Goofs
      Near the end of the movie, Private Pentti Saari shoots a captured Semi-Automatic Rifle SVT-40, but he reloads after each shot (it is possibly caused by shooting blanks, which have not enough power to reload the rifle). The SVT-40 itself was introduced after the war, and it should be older, slightly different model SVT-38.
    • Quotes

      Vilho Erkkilä: They use explosive bullets! That's forbidden!

      Arvi Huhtala: Go tell them it is.

    • Alternate versions
      5×50min TV-series includes some extra scenes not shown in the original theatre release.
    • Connections
      Featured in Matka suomalaiseen elokuvaan: Muistoja sodasta (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Jääkärimarssi
      Composed by Jean Sibelius

      Lyrics by Heikki Nurmio

    User reviews41

    Review
    Top review
    The greatest Finnish war movie ever made
    I have watched Talvisota for two times and it was even better than in the first time. It's a very realistic movie about the 105 day Winter War, which was fought between Finland and Russia in 1939-1940. The movie follows an infantry regiment from Lapua, and particulary private Martti Hakala. The movie starts when the men are called to an extra training session, but soon they are transported near the border and, soon after that, to the frontline, where they are trying to stop all the russian attacks. The combat scenes look good and realistic. They usually consist of Finns trying to stop the Russian human wave from getting in to the Finnish trenches, but every battle is still different, when the number of Finnish soldiers is decreasing and decreasing and the battles are getting more desperate. And of course, sometimes it's the Finns attacking. Technically the movie is also very good. The sounds really make you feel as if you where there, in the middle of combat, thanks to the sound designer Paul Jyrälä. I have always liked scenes with added slow motion, especially in war movies. This movie features some, and they are in really great places (for example, in one scene a soldier is running to the HQ during a bombardment, trying not to get hit by a grenade. And all is shown in a cool slow motion!) The explosions also are very well done, with pieces of ground, ice and trees flying in the air.

    I can't say anything bad about this movie. Sometimes it reminds me of Band of Brothers or Saving Private Ryan (I also like both of them) but unlike them, Talvisota tells about a war not so famous. I guess that almost everyone of you has heard about the invasion of Normandy and Operation Market Garden, but how many has heard about Taipale? How many has heard about the Winter War?
    helpful•34
    4
    • blackwood
    • Jan 10, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Finland
    • Language
      • Finnish
    • Also known as
      • Talvisota
    • Filming locations
      • Haapamäki, Finland
    • Production company
      • National Filmi Oy
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • FIM 23,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      3 hours 19 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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