As this is a historical movie, spoilers can not completely be avoided.
In June 1944, just before the D-day, marshal Mannerheim, the commander of the Finnish army, is to celebrate his 77th birthday. But the Soviet Union wants to spoil the party. Now I must admit I'm no historian. To me it seems the dates don't exactly match, so I would say that even this movie is obviously supposed to give a realistic image of what the situation and atmosphere was in the Finnish headquarters on those bloody days, the story itself is slightly fictional. The original novel was written by Ilmari Turja, a journalist who did have access to the HQ, so we can assume this movie has something important to tell.
C.G.E Mannerheim is a national hero in Finland. In the civil war 1918, he was commanding the white army, with his great experience gained serving in the cavalry of the czar of Russia. It might seem kind of strange that a man who lead the Finnish army when Finland was an ally of the Nazi Germany is considered a hero, but one must remember that in Finland most of the people think that Finland was not fighting for Germany, but against Soviet Union. Whatever you think of that idea, the truth is, Soviet Union attacked Finland in November 1939, and Germany and Finland became allies only after the Soviet Union had invaded part of Finland in that Winter War.
Therefore this movie can be considered important, because it shows marshal Mannerheim in quite a different light. Mannerheim is old, tired, stubborn and not even very well aware of what is happening in the war. General Airo has many times been described as a real leader of the army, and this movie is based on that idea. The smart and strong-willed general sees the dark clouds over the future of Finland and takes the initiative over his commanders will - successfully. The movie is at some points trying to show the battle between these two men, but it also has other plot lines. In my opinion the relationship of Airo and Mannerheim is still the most important element.
Jussi Jurkka is excellent as Airo, and Joel Rinne at least looks like Mannerheim. In general, the movie works decently, but Jurkka really is the one to draw the most attention. On the weak side are the not-so-original characters of drunken privates with no respect to the officers. The movie is as its best, when it is seen through the political atmosphere of Finland in 1970.
In June 1944, just before the D-day, marshal Mannerheim, the commander of the Finnish army, is to celebrate his 77th birthday. But the Soviet Union wants to spoil the party. Now I must admit I'm no historian. To me it seems the dates don't exactly match, so I would say that even this movie is obviously supposed to give a realistic image of what the situation and atmosphere was in the Finnish headquarters on those bloody days, the story itself is slightly fictional. The original novel was written by Ilmari Turja, a journalist who did have access to the HQ, so we can assume this movie has something important to tell.
C.G.E Mannerheim is a national hero in Finland. In the civil war 1918, he was commanding the white army, with his great experience gained serving in the cavalry of the czar of Russia. It might seem kind of strange that a man who lead the Finnish army when Finland was an ally of the Nazi Germany is considered a hero, but one must remember that in Finland most of the people think that Finland was not fighting for Germany, but against Soviet Union. Whatever you think of that idea, the truth is, Soviet Union attacked Finland in November 1939, and Germany and Finland became allies only after the Soviet Union had invaded part of Finland in that Winter War.
Therefore this movie can be considered important, because it shows marshal Mannerheim in quite a different light. Mannerheim is old, tired, stubborn and not even very well aware of what is happening in the war. General Airo has many times been described as a real leader of the army, and this movie is based on that idea. The smart and strong-willed general sees the dark clouds over the future of Finland and takes the initiative over his commanders will - successfully. The movie is at some points trying to show the battle between these two men, but it also has other plot lines. In my opinion the relationship of Airo and Mannerheim is still the most important element.
Jussi Jurkka is excellent as Airo, and Joel Rinne at least looks like Mannerheim. In general, the movie works decently, but Jurkka really is the one to draw the most attention. On the weak side are the not-so-original characters of drunken privates with no respect to the officers. The movie is as its best, when it is seen through the political atmosphere of Finland in 1970.
