So far, this movie is only available in Russian Language. I believe this movie will come out as successful as FORTRESS OF WAR, THE BOMBER, ADMIRAL, and a few more titles, that have been released with English subtitles. I watched the ones above all in their earlier Russian language version, because I couldn't wait. So did I view this one. The new Russian movies about world war 2 are way more forward with the facts, than the old soviet ones are. NKVD troops (acting on Stalins direct edicts) are brutal and merciless. They don't seem to care, if their subjects are guilty of the crime or not : desertion, collaborating with the enemy, or disobeying soviet orders. Facts of disproof seem to be a mere nuisance to them. A high ranking soviet Brigade General ( our protagonist)just went through such NKVD treatment with a new set of golden teeth, the old ones have been beaten out of him. His expertise is desperately needed in building a new defenseline to slow down the German advance towards Moscow in the month of July. The year is 1941, and the Wehrmacht seems to be unstoppable. Our protagonist acts quickly, organizing a new defensive line on the Dneiper River, with the city of Smolonsk in his back.Something really hard to do, because 100 000's of Refugee's are clogging the roads. The troops at his disposal are some 45mm anti tank units, demoralized but rallied troops, a batch of conscript with very little experience a understrenght regiment of regular red army equipped with anti tank rifles, and a Recon unit equipped with BA-65 armored cars. Also an armored train for artillery support, very few anti aircraft guns and no air support. There is a little fortress on the main highway, buying him some time. The Germans don't loose much time to through everything nasty, at his little army: Squadrons of Stuka's and Me-109's, Dozens of Mark II and III tanks, heavy 150 mm artillery and armored SdKfz armored personal carriers. No substitute equipment at play here, like we are used from older warflicks. Yes, the ruski film makers use a lot of CGI and other clever special effects but the battles look pretty authentic to an old war movie buff like me. Also the acting is great, the actors are believable doing their period characters. I don't know, how a war movie currently could be made any better. This one scores with me in the same league as "The Pacific" "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan ".
