Saving Leningrad (2019) User Reviews

Uninteresting love story with bland characters covered as a War movie about WW2 Leningrad siege

[akcenat · 6/10 · 7 October 2020]

Unfortunately, movie is too easily forgotten as another substandard historical piece not worth more than a single watch-through just for a fans of war epics, because the production had enough money to spend it on big effects and VFX sequences, but ultimately film lacks the depth.

Rating: 6-

Big Budget Mess

[Zoltanko · 5/10 · 23 April 2020]

This film looks great and they obviously had the money to make a descent movie. But with such a ridiculous script they didn't have much to go on. The cast is quite good but what they are required to do is silly. The biggest problem is the editing though. So many story jumps without explanation made me long for the film to just end.

Not great...not the worst

[gershwink · 5/10 · 10 May 2020]

Kind of enjoyed this. A tad disjointed,think the editing department needed either more direction or a bigger budget. The cinematography was good and soundtrack was fitting, reminiscent of James Horner John Barry. Watched with English subtitles which in parts were a bit too literal. Not the worst war movie you will ever see and if you can forgive the frequent borrowings from saving private ryan and titanic you might enjoy. I give it a 5 out of 10. Watchable but only if your really stuck for something better.

Fantasy posing as history

[harryplinkett14 · 1/10 · 16 July 2020]

The Germans bombed a barge, it sank, and 800 or so people, mostly civilians, drowned. In the process, a few soldiers opened fire from rifles and downed both German fighters that attacked the barge. Seems like fantasy? Well, that's probably because it is. The barge in question did indeed sink, but not because of German attack. Mind you, the Germans did occasionally bomb vessels crossing the Ladoga lake, but this one was not bombed. It sank because it was overloaded and in somewhat poor shape, and because weather conditions were unfavourable. But instead of making a powerful drama about civilians fleeing starvation inside a besieged city, and drowning in the process, the film makers thought this should be an action movie with Russian supermen who down planes with a single bullet... Twice! It is also a poorly written love story, and yet another story of reconciliation, as NKVD captain becomes friends with the guy he was going to have shot along with his father. You see, recent Russian war films are obsessed with the message of reconciliation between Russians, despite ideological and other divides that existed in 1941. In the end, the film ends up being a manipulative mess that provides no payoff. It is also disrespectful towards the people who died.

Worth a Look

[bryangary65 · 7/10 · 18 April 2020]

Entertaining enough war drama about a true event that cost a lot of Russian lives in World War 2

Acting wise thought Maria Melnikova was good

Misleading title

[pawelpap · 1/10 · 30 May 2020]

Nobody saves Leningrad in the movie as the whole action takes places during approach of German army. Other than that, it is hard to believe it was made in 2019 as it is lowly propaganda of the worst kind. Communist Soviet Union made much better and truthful war movies. Any redeeming value is lost due to obvious steals from Titanic. Avoid at all cost.

Not the greatest, but nevertheless a good watch.

[paulclaassen · 6/10 · 7 June 2023]

Kostya is a young man serving in the military. Nastya is the love of his life, and when an emergency evacuation of Leningrad starts, he arranges for her to be among the first to board the Barge 752 (a barge is a flat-bottomed waterway vessel).

Nastya's father was a German spy, who was investigated by Inspector Petruchik, who also boards the vessel. He is an arrogant man riding on the wave of his authority. Kosya's father is Captain Gorelov, who took responsibility upon himself to overload the barge, given its condition.

Unbeknownst to them the German's were planning an air raid to stop the evacuation, and to destroy all ships and vessels. This adds increasing suspense, as we as the viewer realize what's coming. The characters are well set-up and we learn more about each one as the film develops. The battle scenes are well made and realistic. The best scenes by far were the storm scenes, which were incredible.

The third act is non-stop action. I couldn't help but think about 'Titanic' during the film's final act. If you've seen 'Titanic' (who hasn't?), then you'll immediately recognize the scenes I'm referring to. I rather enjoyed this film.

Terrible movie

[driscollx · 1/10 · 20 May 2022]

Has nothing really to do with Leningrad (which erroneously gets called St. Petersburg at one point). The characters have no emotional depth and their interactions are mostly unbelievable. A lot of the scenes show in the barge "hold" while at sea are obviously on a stage as the light never shifts. Two ME-109s shot down by rifles, one with a single rifle shot? Puleez.

Hollywood on Neva, and not a compliment....

[searchanddestroy-1 · 2/10 · 25 November 2019]

I was not brave enough to ONLY try this crap fom Russia till the end. Hollywood on Neva. Clichés and propaganda at the worst. Maybe film making is good, and special effects CGI too, but I still have in mind the pure masterpiece that Sergio Leone had planned to direct, back in 1989. Imagine Sergio Leone making a film about the 900 days of Leningrad Siege. Imagine this film which will never be, and compare this scheme with this pure garbage stuff. I tried and puked all over the joint.

its just russian marvel

[ops-52535 · 9/10 · 8 March 2019]

Howcome russian filmakers has become that good?? i just saw tank-34 and now spasti leningrad, about the evacuation of leningrad on the lake ladoga in september 1941 . it shows just a small part of the operations , but its a marvellous story, and darn impressive use of cgi and vfx visualls. the cinematography and the setup of the barge and land battle scenes are very reliable and well done. its top notch filmaking in the wargenre!!

its a love story, and its a story of bravery and pride in the love and fight for mother russia, of course with the usual russian twists, but it dares to show how permeated the russian society where by the nkvd and political police, and also shows the ''kill if retreat''policy that ruled the russian military forces during 2 nd world war, that scared the heck out of both soldiers and civilians.

the acting are what you wish for in this kinda movie genre, there are no major flaws in the production, and its intense from A-Z. ill dare to say that this was far better than ''dunkirk'' in many areas, not as vehement as t-34 ,but scores on every area of importance in making a war film.

if you want something else away from hollywood, the grumpy old man can recommend the latest russian war movies, as this one.

Has nothing to do with Leningrad

[briandb-30335 · 5/10 · 14 September 2020]

Average world war 2 movie, with the known Russian war spectacle, but a bit boring story, it has nothing to do with Leningrad only with a small boat, also Germans are portrayed here as ultimate civilian killers...

I loved it

[grbavacvanesa · 10/10 · 10 April 2019]

I cant believe there are so many bad ratings, the movie is amazing battle in leningrad was one of the worst battles and not even the worst is shown, russia was always good at making war movies and they always try to show the real truth how people suffered and no one is talking about it, the quality of movie, actors and everything is great about the movie and thats my opinion i dont care

Excellent movie

[gingerglamerlas · 8/10 · 22 May 2021]

It has it all, good actors, direction and based in a true story. The low rating is due to the ppl who give 1 and 2 stars to a film that deserves 8. I dont check the overall rating never more. Now I go straight to USER RATINGS to see how ppl voted and if the most voted for good, then the movie is good. Watch it, is a good film.