Fortress of War [DVD]

I have been waiting for this to get a Region 2 release, it was originally called The Brest Fortress and available in Region 1. It starts with a young boy and how he plays for the marching band. He tells the story through the lives that lived and died through out the siege. It was June 22 1941 and the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, the Russians' under Comrade Stalin guidance had signed the Molotov Ribbentrov pact of non aggression. They had no orders to defend their borders, in fact the previous day; Russia had delivered vital war materials to the German regime.

Then they attacked with out warning and without a formal declaration of war. The Russians were neutered. The Brest Fortress was not really a fortress but an 18th Century fortress/garrison that had long since become obsolete. The men had their families stationed with them, it was a sprawling Victorian style base of operations that could never withstand a modern barrage, let alone the might of the Wermacht.

Once the attack begins the Russians are in disarray, but soon mainly due to the Commissars, they get organised, but they have very few weapons and little ammunition. The Germans had already infiltrated their lines and cut off both power and water. They have no choice but to fight. Any attempt at a break out is met with German aggression. Once they start defending the 'Motherland' they use everything, from chairs to barrels and spades. This is a very real war film, where hand to hand fighting is shown up close and personal.

It does not shrink from any of the realities of war and does not glorify anything - except for the human spirit. The cinematography is excellent; the acting is superb, especially from the younger members of the cast. Whilst they scavenge the German weapons and try anything to defend themselves they realise they are already out flanked. They are without food, without water and without hope - but they fight on.

This is truly an excellent film, I was constantly reminded of `Come and See', and it is that good. Russia continues to surprise, and Hollywood could learn a thing or two from this production. It has emotion, violence, drama and heart by the bucket load. This is one for all fans of war films, even the music is excellent - I can not recommend this highly enough, and it is one to buy- not rent as you will want to see it again, after you have got over your first viewing that is - ruddy brilliant!

Fortress of War tells the story of the heroic defence of the Brest Fortress which was assaulted on the opening day of hostilities between Nazi Germany and Russia(Operation Barbarossa).The film opens as most war films do showing the relative peace before the carnage ensues.Russian soldiers and their families alike were enjoying a hot summers day watching the regimental band play,dancing and scenes of young love.The most excitement they seemed to get is from a delivery of a new film for the Saturday night screening.
All this changes on the morning of June 22nd when the Germans unleash their first artillery barrage on the fortress,which is best described really as a citadel(think of Hue City in Vietnam and that should give you an idea of the scale of the fortifications at Brest).What ensues during this initial barrage is utter confusion and disarray amongst the Russian soldiers,power supplies are cut,ammunition dumps explode,civilians are indiscriminately killed along with soldiers all of whom are running in different directions.
Eventually a handful of Russian officers regained some sort of order and formed pockets of resistance against the ever attacking mouse grey masses in front of them.The three main pockets were all lead by real characters that did exist during this siege.There is very little artistic license by the film makers as most of the names and events did happen as the film depicts(the Brest Fortress museum was involved in the making of this film throughout).
After the initial barrage the Germans advance on the fortress with well planned co-ordinated infantry attacks supported with tanks.From here on there is no let up in the action all of which is superbly filmed.Totally surrounded and cut off from their retreating army the Russian garrison defends the fortifications for many days to come.With ammunition,water and basic medical supplies dwindling the film is a testament to the bravery and outright tenacity of the defenders.
The story is primarily told through the eyes of a young Russian band member(Sashka) who also narrates the film as an older version of this boy.We follow this boy as he witnesses the barbarity of war,which reminded me a little of the earlier Belorussian film Come and See.
Expertly filmed and authentic to the smallest detail it is an account which is as harsh as the real events.The cg is superb and almost unnoticeable.The actors all give a sterling performance and are well directed with a score that fits like a glove.The cinematography is as good as anything i have ever seen,with bright colours for the eve of the attack switching to muted greys as the battle commences.The set designs are first rate and deliver yet more realism to these events.If you are looking for an accurate account of events then this film is for you,likewise if you enjoy your war film with plenty of action.
My only gripe is the obvious patriotic view in which this film is made,with no real insights to the German side of events it is a little unbalanced.I would have liked to have seen the German side also,the planning and execution of such an attack with perhaps an overview of the whole situation around the fortress(a small personal gripe).It was also a little bizarre that the Russians would repeatedly leave good cover to engage the enemy in open ground(did this really happen?)This said it doesn't diminish the film in any tangible way.
The feature has a run-time of 138mins and is filmed in Russian with English subtitles.Filmed in 16:9 format and with a 5.1 surround soundtrack.There are no extras but a trailer which is a crying shame really.

A very well achieved war movie on the relatively little known German siege on Brest Fortress in north central Russia (Byelorussia) during late June, 1941. Very well acted, the movie shows how the soldiers of the Russian battalion stationed at Brest attempted to stand over the German siege over several days. Drama is added as the fortress was home of wives and children of these soldiers, and by the fact that is told in first person by one of only survivors, a young military boy. The movie has very well achieved street battle scenes. Good attention is placed to details of Russian and German uniforms, as well as to fighter and bomber planes. Overall, a very good addition to war or war drama movie fans.

It seems to me that a few reviewers are a bit bothered and view this movie as a bit of communist propaganda. I strongly disagree to it. The movie clearly is centered on a historical episode that took place while the Soviet Union was a communist country, so what's the problem with that. In addition, Russians lost this battle, and Germans are depicted simply as an invading military force, without any evident political connotation.

This release comes with a Russian audio and English subtitles (I could see them!!). It comes in a widescreen format and runs for 128 min (not the 138 min indicated on the back cover).