The Unknown Soldier (2017)

A film adaptation of Väinö Linna's best selling novel The Unknown Soldier (1954) and the novel's unedited manuscript version, Sotaromaani.

Director:

Aku Louhimies

Writers:

Väinö Linna (novels), Aku Louhimies (screenplay)

Stars:

Eero Aho, Johannes Holopainen, Jussi Vatanen

5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eero Aho	...	Rokka
Johannes Holopainen	...	Kariluoto
Jussi Vatanen	...	Koskela
Aku Hirviniemi	...	Hietanen
Hannes Suominen	...	Vanhala
Arttu Kapulainen	...	Susi
Paula Vesala	...	Lyyti
Samuel Vauramo	...	Lammio
Joonas Saartamo	...	Lahtinen
Juho Milonoff	...	Honkajoki
Andrei Alen	...	Rahikainen (as Andrei Alén)
Matti Ristinen	...	Sarastie
Diana Pozharskaya	...	Vera
Max Ovaska	...	Määttä
Kimi Vilkkula	...	Sihvonen

Storyline

June, 1941: Trapped between two repressive regimes, Finland has little choice but to ally itself with Nazi Germany against its traditional foe - although it manages to remain a democracy throughout. Virtually unknown in the WW ll arena, a brutal war against Soviet occupation takes place in the Far North. As the men of a Finnish infantry unit march through the forests of Karelia to regain territory lost to Russia in the Winter War of 1939, each of them soon realizes the horror and pointlessness of war. Except for their officers, more concerned about medals and personal glory than the lives of their men. A diverse group of men, all at odds with how they see themselves, each other, and the common cause - yet they are strengthened by a growing bond of camaraderie to each other and their loved ones. After huge personal sacrifice and a prolonged trench war, the outcome is inevitable, ending with a ceasefire in September 1944.

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Plot Keywords:

continuation war | finland | world war two | based on novel | 1940s | 

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Taglines:

Finland, behold, thy daylight now is dawning.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Instagram for Unknown Soldier Official site [Japan]

Country:

Finland Belgium Iceland

Language:

Finnish

Release Date:

6 December 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Okänd soldat

Filming Locations:

Pahkajärvi, Valkeala, Kouvola, Finland

Box Office

Budget:

EUR7,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,717,199

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elokuvaosakeyhtiö Suomi 2017, Kvikmyndafélag Íslands, Scope Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min 135 min (international)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original filming location for the winter scenes was Vekaranjärvi, Kouvola, but since the winter 2016-17 in southern Finland did not offer enough snow, the filming was moved farther north to Kuhmo.

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Alternate Versions

There are three distinct versions of this film: Finnish version (180 minutes), international version (167 minutes) and miniseries version (271 minutes).

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Connections

Version of The Unknown Soldier (1955)

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Soundtracks

Matka Alkaa/Journey Begins
Written by Lasse Enersen

User Reviews

Powerfull new adaptation

It will always be an exceptional historical movie. Respect for the Finnish people!