Battle of Finland
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Battle of Finland |
| Original title | Tali-Ihantala 1944 |
| Country of production | Finland |
| original language | Finnish |
| Publishing year | 2007 |
| length | 112 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 16 |
| Rod | |
| Director |
Åke Lindman Sakari Kirjavainen |
| script |
Stefan Fors Benedict Zilliacus |
| production |
Alf Hemming Åke Lindman |
| music | Timo Hietala |
| camera | Pauli Sipiläinen |
| cut |
Juha-Antti Son Sakari Kirjavainen |
| occupation | |
| |
Battle of Finland (Original Tali-Ihantala 1944 ) is a military-historical film that depicts the events of the 1944 defensive battle at Tali-Ihantala . The film by directors Åke Lindman and Sakari Kirjavainen was completed in 2007 and received nominations for the Jussi Awards in the categories of Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Music and Best Sound Design. The German dubbed version dates from 2012.
Historical background
After the German Army Group Center had increasingly lost its operational capacity (→ collapse of Army Group Center on the Eastern Front) and the initiative was on the Soviet side, an attack by the Red Army on Finland became apparent in the course of the summer of 1944. When the Western Allies landed in Normandy in June 1944 , a withdrawal of Wehrmacht units was suspected on the Soviet side, especially aircraft and equipment, and thus a tactically favorable moment for a quick conquest. This should increase the pressure on the Germans in Leningrad after an enclosure and force them to give up and thus achieve the horror. However, due to a reporting failure by the Red Army, the Finns knew the exact time and place of the attack, and the Red Army was able to be successfully repulsed until the strategic leadership of the Soviet Army decided to turn towards the Baltic coast. This was achieved primarily thanks to a new artillery control procedure with forward observers and wire telephones, the availability of modern German anti-tank weapons and thanks to the intervention of German attack aircraft; but mainly because of the doggedness and tactical superiority of the Finnish infantry .
action
Major General Ruben Lagus and his armored division approach the Red Army units. A sea landing west of Murmansk is unlikely due to the terrain. The Red Army is coming and it can only really operate operationally in a narrow section of terrain. It is clear that due to the inferior capabilities of the Finnish Army, there can and will only be one battle. The film depicts the desperate determination of the Finns to win this fight.
The battle of Tali-Ihantala took place over an area of about 100 km² between Vyborg Bay and the Vuoksi River . The Soviet advance was concentrated in the area east of Vyborg, from the southern village of Tali to the area around the northern settlement of Ihantala. This was the only area suitable for armored vehicles across the Karelian Isthmus - ten kilometers wide and bordered by lakes and to the east by the Vuoksi River.
Finland's striving for sovereignty over Sweden and Russia , under whose changing influence it was under for centuries, is supported in the plot of the film by the dubious pact with the Nazis. A highly emotional topic that is illustrated in a graduated narrative structure. The plot takes place both in the offices of the military attachés and at the troop level, where General Lagus' son fights with his assault gun battery.
In the end, 50,000 Finns succeeded in taking the initiative from the 3: 1 outnumbered Red Army and showing the Soviet leadership by the time and location of the attack that they were both militarily equal to the Red Army and that they were well informed about the attack plans. Lieutenant General Dmitri N. Gusew, commander of the 21st Russian Army, has to answer for this defeat as well as the obvious strategic mishaps before the Russian General Staff and has his operational initiative withdrawn. The Finns retain their sovereignty , and the Wehrmacht (Luftwaffen- Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey and Sturmgeschütz Brigade 303) can be withdrawn from Finland while maintaining their reputation and strategic advantage.
reception
Aftonbladet described the film as “impressive” in every respect, and Dagens Nyheter also emphasized the cinematic quality above all. The director Lindman has managed to credibly break this difficult topic (Finland's alliance with the Nazis) without revisionism on the subject of sovereignty and freedom for the Finns, without indulging in heroism for the Leonine task of the protagonists. In this respect it is comparable to Petersen's film "Das Boot" .
Web links
- Battle for Finland in the Internet Movie Database (English)