I am a totally WW2 fanatic and, generally, a war movie watcher,having viewed all the war films I could get my hands on, regardless of country, language or approach. generally speaking I think the Russian war movies are the best (despite the fact I really, really don't like Russia), because once you set aside the propaganda part (still present even in the latest ones) they are very realistic and gritty, not Hollywood Nazi hunting walk-in the-park style. But my favorite WW2 movie ever is Talvisota, and I watched it innumerable times. The reason? It is very realistic, both in filming and in story, and it really manages to make you feel the fear, frustration, boredom, desperation and slow gradual psychological grinding felt by the Finnish soldiers (and, indirectly by the Soviet ones, dieing in scores in endless frontal attacks). It also slowly grows on you, making you care for the characters, not as soldiers, but kind of as family members, and makes you feel bitter and sour about the absurdity of it all. As it stays true to the real Winter War, which was no Blitzkrieg, there are no tank battles or anything epic; just endless trench war, endless artillery bombardment, and endless waves of Soviet infantry, simply ignoring the horrendous losses and just wearing the Finnish down through sheer exhaustion. And that' s what the viewer feels, too, exhaustion and a slow loss of hope. Maybe i am a little biased, because I'm from another European country neighboring the USSR, invaded by them in 1940 and then fighting alongside the Nazi in a losing war, but I still think this is the best ww2 movie ever, describing perfectly what the soldier of a small army feels like when fighting a superpower. 10/10 for me, but don't expect it to be an Enemy at the Gates kind of movie, it's more similar to Brestskaya Krepost or Go Ji jeon.

This is by far the best War film I have ever seen. It truly grips you with the horrors (I have only seen the 195min version) and it is pulled off brilliantly.The story follows the Hakala brothers Paavo and Martti, Both have signed on to the army to defend against the Russians from invading. The truly unique thing about this film is that it actually humanizes the Russians whereas with other war movies it is always biased towards the side that won, most of the other movies set during WWII just say "every Natzi was evil" when not only is that an overused plot element but its just idiotic, most foreign movies are SO much better at making war movies - like Germany made Rosenstrasse a great attempt at filmmaking.This movie truly is one of the greatest of the genres (I have not seen the 125min US version nor the 265min Miniseries). This movie expresses the horrors of War in such a good way that after this I wanted to watch a light-hearted comedy to take my mind off it.Calling it the 81st best War movie is a little Harsh, since when in War movies do you see them not only take on the violence accurately but also focus on the Shellshock? How many times in a war movie does it set a character up for 2 hours only to see him being blown apart with his brother watching? How many times do you see a War film to find out that the side that they intended to root for win but neither the main character or yourself seem too happy about it? All the people that like Saving Private Ryan should watch this to REALLY see the horrors of War (only seen the first hour of SPR and that didn't make me feel the horrors of war as much as this did).EDIT: For anybody who's interested I have a recommendation, the 1985 Tuntematon Sotilas - It's not as good as this though.

'Make it just how it must have been' -- no doubt this idea was most prominent in director Pekka Parikka's mind when he produced 'Talvisota'.The result is an impressive tale about the Finn's unfortunate war against Stalin's Soviet Union in 1939-'40. Supported by authentic military gadgets, we see the men of the Finnish army leaving home, joining their army unit between hope and fear, and doing their duty when war did arrive.That's all this film has to offer. But it surely is enough. Everybody with military experience of his/her own will warm up to Talvisota's chosen human angle.However, there can be some criticism about this film's chosen narrow point of view. Just focusing on the Finns themselves, it leaves out any wider scope. History makes clear, though, that the Soviet's poor military performance against their tiny Finnish opponent did much to persuade Adolf Hitler to attack the Soviet Union himself. That happened one and a half year later, with disastrous results.

It's a Film that is Limited to the Main story,the Soldiers at the Front.It's shows without Mercy also a Sad Site with Fight from Ditch to Ditch.But not like a Rambo Film.It's made in a very realistic Style.The Russian Army had about 4,5 Million,Finland had only about 330000 Men.And this is also in the Film visible.It was a Gruesome War where the finish Puuko,(the well known Finn-Knives,sharp like a Shaving Knive),was really used to cut the Russian Soldiers throat's.(Was me personally telled by a Finish War Veteran.).Not a fine war,but a fight to keep alive. I have read also the Book and have seen now the Film.The Adaption is very realistic told,with much little Details,that give this Film a special touch.The sound is good and the Camera leading excellent.A MUST for every finish History fan.Greez ZV