The Winter War (film)
| The Winter War | |
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| File:Talvisota DVD cover.PNG
The Finnish DVD cover
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| Directed by | Pekka Parikka |
| Produced by | Marko Röhr |
| Written by | Pekka Parikka, Antti Tuuri |
| Starring | Taneli Mäkelä, Vesa Vierikko, Timo Torikka, Mika Heikki Paavilainen, Antti Raivio, Esko Kovero, Martti Suosalo, Markku Huhtamo, Konsta Mäkelä |
| Distributed by | National-Filmi |
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Release dates
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Running time
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Original: 199 min TV series: 265 min International Cut: 125 min |
| Country | Finland |
| Language | Finnish |
The Winter War (original title in Finnish: Talvisota) is a 1989 Finnish war film directed by Pekka Parikka, based on The Winter War, a novel by Antti Tuuri. It tells the story of a Finnish infantry regiment "JR 23", which consists almost solely of men from Southern Ostrobothnia, focusing mainly on a platoon of reservists from Kauhava. The film was released in Finland and Sweden on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Winter War. The film was selected as the Finnish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 63rd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.[1]
Contents
Plot
The Winter War tells the story of two brothers Paavo and Martti Hakala in their experience during the war. Set during World War II after Germany invades Poland in September 1939, the Soviet Union attacks Finland in November of the same year. Finnish reservists leave their homes to go to war. The film focuses on two farmers from the municipality of Kauhava in the province of Pohjanmaa/Ostrobothnia, brothers Martti and Paavo Hakala, serving in a Finnish platoon.
Cast
- Taneli Mäkelä – Private Martti Hakala
- Vesa Vierikko – 2nd Lieutenant Jussi Kantola
- Timo Torikka – Private Pentti Saari
- Heikki Paavilainen – Private Vilho Erkkilä
- Antti Raivio – Corporal Erkki Somppi
- Esko Kovero – Medical Corporal Juho Pernaa
- Martti Suosalo – Private Arvi Huhtala
- Markku Huhtamo – Private Aatos Laitila
- Matti Onnismaa – Corporal Veikko Korpela
- Konsta Mäkelä – Private Paavo Hakala
- Tomi Salmela – Private Matti Ylinen
- Samuli Edelmann – Private Mauri Haapasalo
- Vesa Mäkelä – Lieutenant Yrjö Haavisto
- Aarno Sulkanen – Captain Sihvo - Battalion commander
- Kari Kihlström – Lieutenant Jorma Potila
- Esko Nikkari – Private Yrjö 'Ylli' Alanen
Production notes
The film depicts a wide array of genuine wartime vehicles and artillery; and when these were not available, replicas were used. These include the T-26 light tank, the Tupolev SB fast bomber, the Polikarpov I-16, and the 37 mm PstK/36 anti-tank gun. Animated special effects were used to simulate tracer projectiles.
Awards
Pekka Parikka was nominated for a Golden Bear in the category of Best Director at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival in 1990.[2]
At the Jussi Awards (Finland's premier film awards) the same year, Talvisota received six awards:
- Best Actor: Taneli Mäkelä
- Best Co-ordinator: Raimo Mikkola
- Best Direction: Pekka Parikka
- Best Music: Juha Tikka
- Best Sound Recording: Paul Jyrälä and team
- Best Supporting Actor: Vesa Vierikko
Taneli Mäkelä also won Best Actor, for his role in the film, at the Rouen Nordic Film Festival.[3]
TV series
An extended TV version was also made, consisting of five episodes, each with a running time of over 50 minutes. The series has been aired four times on Finnish TV (in 1991, 1999, 2009 and 2015).
Home media
The abridged international version was released on DVD by Belle & Blade Studios. The DVD includes hard-coded English subtitles. In addition to missing plot lines, several reviewers of the DVD complained about bad picture quality.
The original theatrical version was released on DVD by Finnkino in 2001. The DVD includes English and Swedish subtitles.
The original theatrical version was released on DVD by Atlantic Film in 2008. The DVD includes Danish, Norwegian and Swedish subtitles.
The original theatrical version was released on two DVDs by ICD Studio in 2009. The DVD includes English and Korean subtitles.
The extended TV version was released on two DVDs by Finnkino in 2010. This release doesn't have any subtitles and it is only available in Finland.
The abridged version was released on DVD by Scanbox Entertainment in 2011. The DVD includes English subtitles.
The original theatrical version and abridged version were released on Blu-ray by Pandastorm Pictures on 6 November 2015. The Blu-ray includes English and German subtitles. These versions were digitally restored in Finland by National Audiovisual Institute.
The original theatrical version will be released on Blu-ray by VLMedia on 11 March 2016. The Blu-ray will include English, Finnish and Swedish subtitles. This version was digitally restored in Finland by National Audiovisual Institute.
See also
- Rukajärven tie a film of another Antti Tuuri novel about Finland's Continuation War.
- The Unknown Soldier (1955 film)
- List of submissions to the 63rd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Finnish submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
