The Cranes Are Flying (1957)

Soviet Union

Drama, Romance, War

Mosfilm

Tatyana Samoylova, Aleksey Batalov, Vasili Merkuryev, Aleksandr Shvorin, Svetlana Kharitonova, Konstantin Kadochnikov

Mikhail Kalatozov

Viktor Rozov

Taglines: The compelling story of a girl's impassioned search for happiness.

siege, lovers, marriage of convenience, battlefield, wounded, couple, air raid, anti war, moscow, russia, loveless marriage, life during wartime, heartache, bomb shelter, returning hero

Veronika and Boris come together in Moscow shortly before World War II. Walking along the river, they watch cranes fly overhead, and promise to rendezvous before Boris leaves to fight. Boris misses the meeting and is off to the front lines, while Veronika waits patiently, sending letters faithfully. After her house is bombed, Veronika moves in with Boris' family, into the company of a cousin with his own intentions.

Reviews:

Author: talisencrw
This was an equally outstanding and heartbreaking film. I haven't watched a lot of Soviet cinema, but from what I have seen thus far, it's terrific. It makes me want to investigate their oeuvre ever more diligently. Essential if you're interested either in Soviet films or war films in general, from the perspective of the people on the sidelines as well. Don't think for a moment they can't be just as shellshocked as the soldiers-in-arms themselves...