The Winter War

Original title: Talvisota

1989
3h 19m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

8.8K

YOUR RATING

In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.

Play trailer3:06

1 Video

22 Photos

Drama History War

In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.In 1939, two Finnish brothers are conscripted in the army to fight in the war between Finland and the Soviet Union.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

8.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 7 wins & 1 nomination

Videos1

Trailer 3:06

Trailer

Photos22

+ 15

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The tanks used are original Soviet T-26, captured by the Finns during the Continuation War of 1941-44 and then used as the backbone of the Finnish tank forces. Several are in driving conditions in Finnish museums.

Goofs
Near the end of the movie, Private Pentti Saari shoots a captured Semi-Automatic Rifle SVT-40, but he reloads after each shot (it is possibly caused by shooting blanks, which have not enough power to reload the rifle). The SVT-40 itself was introduced after the war, and it should be older, slightly different model SVT-38.

Quotes
Vilho Erkkilä: They use explosive bullets! That's forbidden!
Arvi Huhtala: Go tell them it is.

Alternate versions
5×50min TV-series includes some extra scenes not shown in the original theatre release.

Connections
Featured in Matka suomalaiseen elokuvaan: Muistoja sodasta (2006)

Soundtracks
Jääkärimarssi
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Lyrics by Heikki Nurmio

User reviews44

Review

Featured review

10/10

Greatest Finnish war movie?

How about one of the greatest war movies from any country? Might have even influenced some of the recent US warmovies to look more realistic with violence and the gritty and dirty look. Always seemed strange how clean the soldiers looked in old warmovies over here. Should be watched by almost everyone to learn some history. Not sure how few Americans know about the Finns kicking Soviet ass much less even where Finland is. Many thanks to you guys for this great movie. Heard there is a Swedish copy with extra scenes I hope to see also. Only complaint is I don't speak Finnish and sometimes had to rewind to see what they said as I got caught up with the combat action.