The Fall of Berlin (Russian, 1950)
I remember it like it was yesterday. Mr LKK, our history teacher, impressed upon us the need to learn history. The beginning of the end of Hitler march started when he marched into Russia, what more during winter. Napolean Bonaparte found out the hard way of leading a weary, hungry army through the treacherous unforgiving wintry Russian winters.
History has also shown that Russians are super subs, a kind of a Johnny-come-lately, a late bloomer. Their army had been the kind that seems to be losing and weak but would come back strong with a vengeance to knock everything out of the way to victory.
This 1950 film is a Russian attempt at blowing their own horn of their past laurel of whitewashing Hitler's army and hoisting the Russian flag on the Reichstag building. It became a Stalin propaganda movie to boost his flailing image and as a birthday gift for Stalin's 70th birthday. It portrays the Supreme Leader in a demi-god status who gives a picture of the epitome of calmness and wisdom. In real life, his short temper and cruelty is an open secret.
This story starts with a love story of an industrious steel factory manager Alexei, who received the highest order of appreciation from Stalin himself for his exemplary work, and a pretty school teacher, Natasha. Their love story is cut short by the Germans attacking their town. Alexei is hit by shrapnel and goes into a coma. Natasha is captured and is sent to Berlin.
Alexei later joins the Army, which is sent to Berlin.
The second part of the film deals with Stalin using his military acumen and might to advance into Berlin while the Allied leaders are seen as conniving (Churchill) and spineless (FDR). Hitler is getting restless as he hears of the Russian advance. He panics, marries Eva, floods the tunnel, kills his own people in a foolish attempt to save himself and finally commits mass suicide with Eva and Blondi, his faithful Alsatian.
As the pulverisation of Berlin is complete, Stalin arrives in his private plane in Berlin to congratulate the joyous crowd of multiple nationalities to give his word of wisdom. This, of course, in real life, never happened. To add comedy to this charade, our heroes (Alexei and Natasha) are finally reunited and get Stalin's blessings. Before the leader leaves the scene, he wishes everybody peace and happiness! Interesting, after decimating the whole world, leaders want peace and happiness. Sure, after the annihilation of all life forms, there would be pin-drop silence, if that is called peace!
I remember it like it was yesterday. Mr LKK, our history teacher, impressed upon us the need to learn history. The beginning of the end of Hitler march started when he marched into Russia, what more during winter. Napolean Bonaparte found out the hard way of leading a weary, hungry army through the treacherous unforgiving wintry Russian winters.History has also shown that Russians are super subs, a kind of a Johnny-come-lately, a late bloomer. Their army had been the kind that seems to be losing and weak but would come back strong with a vengeance to knock everything out of the way to victory.
This 1950 film is a Russian attempt at blowing their own horn of their past laurel of whitewashing Hitler's army and hoisting the Russian flag on the Reichstag building. It became a Stalin propaganda movie to boost his flailing image and as a birthday gift for Stalin's 70th birthday. It portrays the Supreme Leader in a demi-god status who gives a picture of the epitome of calmness and wisdom. In real life, his short temper and cruelty is an open secret.
This story starts with a love story of an industrious steel factory manager Alexei, who received the highest order of appreciation from Stalin himself for his exemplary work, and a pretty school teacher, Natasha. Their love story is cut short by the Germans attacking their town. Alexei is hit by shrapnel and goes into a coma. Natasha is captured and is sent to Berlin.
Alexei later joins the Army, which is sent to Berlin.
The second part of the film deals with Stalin using his military acumen and might to advance into Berlin while the Allied leaders are seen as conniving (Churchill) and spineless (FDR). Hitler is getting restless as he hears of the Russian advance. He panics, marries Eva, floods the tunnel, kills his own people in a foolish attempt to save himself and finally commits mass suicide with Eva and Blondi, his faithful Alsatian.
As the pulverisation of Berlin is complete, Stalin arrives in his private plane in Berlin to congratulate the joyous crowd of multiple nationalities to give his word of wisdom. This, of course, in real life, never happened. To add comedy to this charade, our heroes (Alexei and Natasha) are finally reunited and get Stalin's blessings. Before the leader leaves the scene, he wishes everybody peace and happiness! Interesting, after decimating the whole world, leaders want peace and happiness. Sure, after the annihilation of all life forms, there would be pin-drop silence, if that is called peace!
 |
| Vladimir Savelyev and Maria Novakova as Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun |
No comments:
Post a Comment