Pedon merkki (1981) User Reviews

Not your average war movie

[pinkertin1 · 9/10 · 2 September 2002]

This is a very touching movie about war. I saw it last spring at a small film festival in Turku. I was very surprised that I hadn't known about this film before, because I am very familiar Finnish films in general. Even though it can't be labelled as an anti-war movie, it has a very strong anti-war feel to it. It doesn't preach or moralize, and the audience is left alone to judge themselves. It is also a sad reminder of the fact that Finns allied with the Nazis and were partners in crime. Sometimes it feels like it's a sensitive subject to Finns, something that you don't speak out loud. This movie doesn't speak out loud either, it only whispers. It whispers many things and leaves you with something to think about. But sometimes it's not what you see or hear, but rather what is left unspoken. This is a kind of movie that does just that.

The madness of war

[Petey-10 · 8/10 · 11 November 2010]

Pedon Merkki (1981), directed by Jaakko Pakkasvirta, takes us to the battlefields of WWII.Esko Salminen is superb as Kaarlo.Irina Milan is very good as Karin.Tom Wentzel does great job as Helmut von Stein.Hannu Lauri, who won a Jussi Award, is excellent as Olavi.Vesa-Matti Loiri, who also won a Jussi Award, is brilliant as Usko.Jukka-Pekka Palo is fantastic as Lieutenant Valonen.Esa Pakarinen Jr. does very good job as War Photographer.Martti Pennanen plays General.Yrjö Parjanne plays the part of Captain.Kalevi Kahra portrays Seargeant Major.Elina Salo is Nurse.Pekka Laiho is Pioneer Captain.Kari Väänänen plays Young Captain.Jack Witikka portrays Colonel.And so does Harri Tirkkonen.Matti Tuominen plays Finnish Officer at the Front.Paavo Pentikäinen is Captain at the Headquarters.Jyrki Kovaleff is Finnish Officer.Matti Pellonpää is seen as Insane Soldier.Saara Pakkasvirta is Head Lotta.Aarno Sulkanen portrays German Soldier.Aarre Karén is Retreatin Finnish Officer.Jarmo Luttinen is seen as Dancer.Otto Donner is behind the marvelous music.This movie is based on the text by Olavi Paavolainen, especially his book "Synkkä Yksinpuhelu".I've read that excellent book, and both the book and the movie bring out the clear anti-war message.One of the most shocking scenes in this movie is when Usko shoots himself to death.This isn't like any of the war movies made before.Maybe at times this movie tries too much, and it is at times a bit too eccentric.But nevertheless, this is a good movie experience.