Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Taneli Mäkelä | ... | Private Martti Hakala |
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 |
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
TALVISOTA (Winter War) deals with the 1939-40 Russo-Finnish War, a largely forgotten conflict that was one of the most savage wars of the 20th century. The Soviet Union invaded Finland in November of 1939 when the Finns refused Stalin's demands to relinquish some of their territory in Karelia. The Finns were outnumbered 50-1 but fought with incredible courage and tenacity and inflicted a half million casualties on the Soviets before they were forced to capitulate in March of 1940. The Russians were equally brave but not as smart; they stormed well defended positions en mass and were mowed down by the hundreds. TALVISOTA brilliantly captures the horror and carnage of that war and all wars. Disturbing and depressing but also a gripping and deeply moving experience. Makes SAVING PRIVATE RYAN look like a walk in the park.