In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.
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Title: The Winter War (1989)
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7 wins & 1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Taneli Mäkelä | ... | Private Martti Hakala |
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Vesa Vierikko | ... | 2nd Lieutenant Jussi Kantola |
| Timo Torikka | ... | Private Pentti Saari | |
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Heikki Paavilainen | ... | Private Vilho Erkkilä |
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Antti Raivio | ... | Corporal Erkki Somppi |
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Esko Kovero | ... | Medical Corporal Juho Pernaa |
| Martti Suosalo | ... | Private Arvi Huhtala | |
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Markku Huhtamo | ... | Private Aatos Laitila |
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Matti Onnismaa | ... | Corporal Veikko Korpela |
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Konsta Mäkelä | ... | Private Paavo Hakala |
| Tomi Salmela | ... | Private Matti Ylinen | |
| Samuli Edelmann | ... | Private Mauri Haapasalo (as Samuli Edelman) | |
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Vesa Mäkelä | ... | Lieutenant Yrjö Haavisto |
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Aarno Sulkanen | ... | Captain Sihvo - battalion commander |
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Kari Kihlström | ... | Lieutenant Jorma Potila |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Set during World War 2. After Nazi Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, Russia attacked Finland in November 1939. Finnish reservists leave their homes and go to war. The film focuses on two farmers from the municipality of Kauhava in the province of Pohjanmaa/Ostrobothnia, brothers Martti and Paavo Hakala, serving in a Finnish platoon. Written by Anonymous
Plot Keywords:
winter war | female nudity | bare breasts | charge | blown to pieces |Taglines:
They held back the Russian Juggernaut in a frozen Hell!Certificate:
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Details
Country:
FinlandLanguage:
FinnishRelease Date:
December 1989 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Winter War See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
FIM 23,500,000 (estimated)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (International Cut) | (miniseries)Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
Color (Eastmancolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
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Paavo Hakala: Is this a bad spot?
Soldier that leaves the position.: Nothing but bad spots here, pal.
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Written and Composed by Heikki Klemetti
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Although the film was a huge success in Finland, its production company National-Filmi Oy went bankrupt, because the international success was not as good as the production company expected. See more »Goofs
During the battle of Äyräpää, some attacking Russian soldiers can be seen wielding modern assault rifles. See more »Quotes
Corporal Erkki Somppi: Paavo, you stay here.Paavo Hakala: Is this a bad spot?
Soldier that leaves the position.: Nothing but bad spots here, pal.
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Alternate Versions
5×50min TV-series includes some extra scenes not shown in the original theatre release. See more »Soundtracks
Kytösavun aukeilla mailla/Vilppulan urhojen muistolleWritten and Composed by Heikki Klemetti
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Why are the Europeans so much better at producing hard hitting, gritty war films than those in Hollywood? I wish I knew. Talvisota is an excellent example of this and is infinitely better than what has been produced in the U.S. If you have seen "Saving Private Ryan" or "Enemy at the Gates" and think you have seen the best...you're sadly mistaken. Talvisota and other such films as the German film "Stalingrad" or the French film "Capitaine Conan" are much better at presenting the absolute horror of war and the desperation felt by those men forced to face combat.
I am looking forward to the release of "Pearl Harbor" but am afraid it too will only reinforce what I have stated here.
Rent Talvisota and hopefully you will agree that it is one of the better war films in terms of accuracy and unvarnished drama.