1944 (2015)

In 1944 Estonia, a fratricide war ensues when Estonians of the retreating German forces fight against Estonians conscripted into the advancing Soviet Red Army.

Director:

Elmo Nüganen

Writer:

Leo Kunnas

Stars:

Kaspar Velberg, Kristjan Üksküla, Maiken Pius

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kaspar Velberg	...	Karl Tammik
Kristjan Üksküla	...	Jüri Jõgi
Maiken Pius	...	Aino Tammik (as Maiken Schmidt)
Gert Raudsep	...	Ants 'Saareste'
Hendrik Toompere Jr. Jr.	...	Kristjan 'Põder' (as Hendrik Toompere Jr.)
Karl-Andreas Kalmet	...	Vladimir 'Kamenski'
Henrik Kalmet	...	Voldemar 'Piir'
Pääru Oja	...	Sanitar Elmar 'Säinas'
Priit Strandberg	...	Lembit 'Raadik'
Priit Pius	...	Vennad Käärid
Märt Pius	...	Vennad Käärid
Kristo Viiding	...	Leonhard 'Talu'
Jaak Prints	...	Autojuht Richard Pastak
Magnús Mariuson	...	'Taanlane Carl', Carl Madsen
Mait Malmsten	...	Omavalitsuse tegelane

Storyline

In "1944" Director Elmo Nüganen portrays the real events on the Eastern Front in Estonia in 1944, from the Battle Of Tannenburg Line, the July fighting on the Sinimäed Hills, until November, when the Sorve peninsula was already conquered by the Soviet Army. The war is shown through the eyes of participants in the events on both warring sides - the Estonians who fought on the side of the German Army in the 20th Estonian division Waffen-SS, and as part of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps of the Soviet Army. For residents of Estonia it was a war in which everyone makes their own choices. It is with such hard choices facing the main characters of the film - the soldiers of the opposing sides Carl Tammik and Urey Jogi - as well as their comrades, relatives, friends and even strangers.

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Plot Keywords:

year 1944 | dead soldier | shot | soviet red army | retreat | 

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Taglines:

The first casualty of war is truth.

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The tanks shown are the T-34/85. In the Soviet Union they are known as the Model 1943

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Quotes

Prohhor Sedõhh: [Red Army platoon reaches a village in Sõrve peninsula that appears to be Tuul's home] Grandmother told me that Estonia is small, but so small...!

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Connections

Referenced in La noche de...: La noche de... 1944 (2019)

User Reviews

When your survival comes down to two equally bad choices

Solid anti-war film told from the perspective of the Estonians who fought for the Germans and the Russians, blends the violence of battles with the emotional conflicts when your country is a pawn between two much more powerful neighbors. This film stands with some of the better war films ever produced but has it's own voice. I liked how the film switched sides half way through and told how, in these circumstances, the only "winners" are the survivors.

I would like to address other reviewers comments that this film is anti- Russian/Soviet propaganda. Outside of the Soviet political officer (who seem to be an Estonia communist rather that a Russian) and the mention that the Russians, after they invaded, sent large quality of Estonians to the gulags (a true fact), this seems to be the only negative reference to the Russians. And is it propaganda when the the actual plan of the Soviets was to conquer and turn Estonia into a Russian client state?.Are the reviewers actual trying to convince us that somehow the Stalinites were better than the Hitlerites? Or the somehow the Russians weren't equally as bad as the Germans? Estonians, at the time, forced into service against their will and having to choice between to bad two options did what they had to do to survive. And if they had to choose, would have with the attitude that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Details

Country:

Estonia Finland

Language:

Estonian Russian German

Release Date:

4 November 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

1944

Filming Locations:

Sinimäed Hills, Narva-Jõesuu municipality, Ida-Viru County, Estonia

Box Office

Budget:

EUR1,620,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$109,768

Company Credits

Production Co:

Matila Röhr Productions (MRP), Taska Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1