The Pilot. A Battle for Survival is a tense, survival war drama that doesn't shy away from the horrors of battle. If there were another war film to which I would compare this, it would be Harald Zwart's 2017 Norwegian historical drama film, The 12th Man (Norwegian: Den 12. Mann). Both present a gritty survival at all cost and live to fight another day approach to the war genre.
29 Reviews
Another well-made Russian WWII movie!
npvarley19 March 2022
First up, this movie was made long before the invasion of Ukraine and anyone who thinks this was made as propaganda for that invasion needs to stop with the delusional thinking.
As usual, this WWII movie is superbly made, with great cinematography and superb aerial effects. I really wasn't sure if they had real aircraft or CGI a lot of the time, that's how good the aerial scenes are.
The leads play their roles well and the story is quite inspiring, not dissimilar to the Douglas Bader story for the British in WWII.
Well worth a viewing. Watch the Russian audio with subtitles, not a dubbed version. Why anyone watches dubbed movies is a mystery!
As usual, this WWII movie is superbly made, with great cinematography and superb aerial effects. I really wasn't sure if they had real aircraft or CGI a lot of the time, that's how good the aerial scenes are.
The leads play their roles well and the story is quite inspiring, not dissimilar to the Douglas Bader story for the British in WWII.
Well worth a viewing. Watch the Russian audio with subtitles, not a dubbed version. Why anyone watches dubbed movies is a mystery!
Time is a great healer
nogodnomasters7 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Plot Spoiler review. Nikolai Komlev (Pyotr Fyodorov) is a Russian pilot who gets shot down early in the film behind enemy lines. He struggles to get home against wolves, Germans, the cold, hunger, frostbite and double pneumonia. He is dragged to a Russian hospital where they cut off his feet. He went on to fly missions again being an inspiration for other Russian pilots. They were all named as heroes fighting the Nazis at their western border.
The acting was stiff and the details of the plot almost comically scripted. Clearly this film is timely for Russia's current war against the Ukraine and labeling them as "Nazis" allows soldiers to think they are heroes. In the film, Nazis kill civilians and burn their farms.
Guide. No swearing or sex. Nudity (Anna Peskova.
The acting was stiff and the details of the plot almost comically scripted. Clearly this film is timely for Russia's current war against the Ukraine and labeling them as "Nazis" allows soldiers to think they are heroes. In the film, Nazis kill civilians and burn their farms.
Guide. No swearing or sex. Nudity (Anna Peskova.
Seems it follwed a book of Boris Polevoy
amitbangla25 March 2022
Good movie, if you'll read
terribleted6527 May 2022
Too long and too slow, but amazing cinematography.
Top_Dawg_Critic3 May 2022
The 105 min runtime felt much longer with the long dragged out and unnecessary scenes. The slow pacing made it even worse. There was very little suspense, or anything that would really make you care to invest watching it. The romance part was cheesy, and the survival part kinda lame. This would've been better off as a documentary, and no more than 60 minutes long. The performances were decent and mostly convincing, but the cinematography was the standout feature, as it was excellent. It's a very generous 6/10 from me.
Another ordinary, extraordinary, boring Russian film about World War II
r-debeselis25 January 2022
The plot is poor, uninteresting. There is no introduction to the film, the viewer just has to figure out for himself which period and what. Directing is poor. The effects are mediocre. German tanks are similar to cardboard boxes. A lot of time has passed since the Second World War, and the Russians still seem to be alive in that period and cannot forget. The film is poor in every sense.
A Great Action Flick
boatsfra-4248913 March 2022
I believe this is based on a true story, and frankly the action sequences in the air reminded me of Dunkirk. The movie has it all and if you enjoy stories of survival, this one doesn't disappoint. Heroes are everywhere and here we have a pilot who goes the distance in fighting the good fight for his country. Man do we need more Nikolai Komlev's in the world. This isn't a propaganda movie, this is a movie! From my seat in the rear-gunner's, this is a movie that cuts to the chase and delivers the kabooms.
This movie should be used as example by other russian movie makers
Erik_Surewaard18 July 2023
This russian-made movie is also known as "The Pilot". It is not only excellently produced, but in my opinion also deserves to be more popular and have a better rating. It shows very well - like the movie "Into the White" - what a struggle it must be for a pilot that is shot down and stranded in enemy territory.
And yes - as is typical for many a russian-made movie - there is a tendency to make it a "hero movie", whereby a russian soldier performs the unthinkable. But honestly said, the 'heroics' were at an acceptable level (i.e. Not annoying), whereby the viewer gets to see some pretty good acting combined with quite impressive scenery, props, vehicles...
Overall, I deem this to be one of the better russian-made movies. As such, I score it at 6.9/10, which results in an IMDb rating of 7 stars.
And yes - as is typical for many a russian-made movie - there is a tendency to make it a "hero movie", whereby a russian soldier performs the unthinkable. But honestly said, the 'heroics' were at an acceptable level (i.e. Not annoying), whereby the viewer gets to see some pretty good acting combined with quite impressive scenery, props, vehicles...
Overall, I deem this to be one of the better russian-made movies. As such, I score it at 6.9/10, which results in an IMDb rating of 7 stars.
The Pilot. A Battle for Survival film disappointment
eva3si0n5 January 2022
The Pilot. A Battle for Survival film disappointment. Of course, I did not expect much from Russian cinema, especially from films on World War II. We have this topic popular, the implementation is usually sad. And The Pilot was no exception. A dull film in which the main action of the feat of Alexei Maresyev was posted for 20 minutes of timing at the end of the film. I can't advise anyone about this movie.
It's a good movie
johnszephcomcom5 March 2022
Ignore the weird ppl leaving bad reviews it doesn't matter that it's a russian film they probably couldn't read anywas. I would suggest this movie I liked it some ppl just have bad taste like 45% of the reviews I saw.
The Russian Governments have and always...
Blumanowar9 April 2022
Will Always will be cowardiced, frightened zealots who always choose violence over common sense and negotiations. Until the former KGBs and older line are finally dead, it won't change. Once they die out I believe things will change, because you can't hold an entire nation in the dark for long these days. Even the older citizens are clearly so brainwashed after a lifetime of lies... so this will take time. Fortunately the young Russians are fully aware of Putin and his evil ends.
In the meantime we must do whatever we can to help Ukraine keep their democracy. Putin must go first of course but he hides like a scared little rabbit so that'll be difficult. We must forget the past 20 yrs of somewhat normal relations and realize Putins losing his mind, after being given strength by Trump and is trying to fulfill his legacy and will stop for naught. Let's hope many good Russians have the courage to overthrow him. And for gods sake convict Trump a felon for the post election coup attempt so he can't run again. If we cannot do that we look like fools to the world who can't even stand up for the most basic tenets of our Constitution!
But this was a good movie. It was made before the Ukrainian war but for those of you naive enough to think it still wasn't full of propaganda are to uneducated on history to form an opinion as such.
Still it's a very decent movie. I doubt it's funding the war lol so rent it and give it a watch.
In the meantime we must do whatever we can to help Ukraine keep their democracy. Putin must go first of course but he hides like a scared little rabbit so that'll be difficult. We must forget the past 20 yrs of somewhat normal relations and realize Putins losing his mind, after being given strength by Trump and is trying to fulfill his legacy and will stop for naught. Let's hope many good Russians have the courage to overthrow him. And for gods sake convict Trump a felon for the post election coup attempt so he can't run again. If we cannot do that we look like fools to the world who can't even stand up for the most basic tenets of our Constitution!
But this was a good movie. It was made before the Ukrainian war but for those of you naive enough to think it still wasn't full of propaganda are to uneducated on history to form an opinion as such.
Still it's a very decent movie. I doubt it's funding the war lol so rent it and give it a watch.
Can everyone say Propaganda?
Pounce40028 February 2022
Putin Flies Again
paularoger-9471723 March 2022
Lets put Putin in the drivers seat of this one, growly gravelling fighting hero that he is. Oh yes Komrade just let mee keeel those dirrty Nazi bastards, leets make them sheet their pants haha.
Very well made, acted and CGI-ed, no problem there. I liked it up to the finale when they are all saluting the hero-pilot and then I thought of Putin in the Stadium the other day rallying patriotic support of the destruction of their "brother" Ukrainians (we love you so much we are going to blast the hell out of you to get you back) As a piece of history, well its true the Russian had to fight like hell to get Germans out of their Motherland.
Lets just say I wish Russia luck not having another Afghanistan in Ukraine. But thats where they are headed.
Very well made, acted and CGI-ed, no problem there. I liked it up to the finale when they are all saluting the hero-pilot and then I thought of Putin in the Stadium the other day rallying patriotic support of the destruction of their "brother" Ukrainians (we love you so much we are going to blast the hell out of you to get you back) As a piece of history, well its true the Russian had to fight like hell to get Germans out of their Motherland.
Lets just say I wish Russia luck not having another Afghanistan in Ukraine. But thats where they are headed.
War breaks out, Out Comes the Propaganda Machine!
Alienmoon3 March 2022
I have to wonder how many more War Movies will Russia release in the coming months, Just as a real war breaks out and Russia Invades the Ukraine!
I tried to watch this movie, but 30 mins in, I felt repulsed for even trying to watch it, as I couldn't help but feel this was Propaganda to help boost the Russian peoples will for Invasion of Ukraine!
I tried to watch this movie, but 30 mins in, I felt repulsed for even trying to watch it, as I couldn't help but feel this was Propaganda to help boost the Russian peoples will for Invasion of Ukraine!
a good Russian ww2 film
bsdsolarux22 March 2022
A refreshingly realistic WW2 shot film, right down to the Russian "Ilyusha" (Ilyushin Il-2) ground attack warplane. The acting throughout was superb.
The ending credits to so many actual Russian WW2 pilots is a sobering and tragic reality of War.
Lest We Forget.
The ending credits to so many actual Russian WW2 pilots is a sobering and tragic reality of War.
Lest We Forget.
Wow, amazing
orionhi2 April 2022
A Good Movie!!
mabicego25 December 2021
Watching "The Pilot" was a pleasure, first because of the quality of the air combat scenes, very well filmed. Another highlight is the editing of the film, which streamlined a predictable story, but which catches our attention. I liked!!
Just liar Soviet propaganda
danilcus9 May 2022
I refuse to watch anything Russian period!
xirtamsharp21 April 2022
Don't really trust the bad reviews.
pwqqwxq29 January 2022
The movie is actually really good and I've enjoyed it. Effects are 8/10, story is a bit predictable but still really exciting and enjoyable. Shows the struggles Russians faced in Russia during the German invasion and it's focused on Russian pilot Nikolai Komlev and his survival and endurance in the hard wilderness. Watch it if you can.
Awful film
aadvaark17 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I won't criticize the woeful special effects as others have done so but this film has every war film cliche you could possibly imagine. There is the constant steely jaw under fire, the love interest gone wrong, the pilot thinking she won't want him because of his injuries only to find that love conquers all and finally, the earnest salutes from all the other pilots Really it is laughable.
Wouldn't watch it if you paid me.
drewbyharris22 May 2022
My wife and I made it about 40 minutes into the movie before we turned it off. It was truly terrible and the characters are unbelievable and hard to relate to. Some of the cinematography is cool but ultimately I would not waste you time or money on this movie. If you want to watch a well done movie about a Russian hero maybe go for enemy at the gates. It's brilliantly done and much more realistic.
Very good one
glenforest-5845231 January 2022
I liked the film - it looks like there are some comments from users who did not even bother watching it and just sent a negative review simply because it is a Russian movie and it is about WWII.
I would watch it again. If someone thinks that Hollywood can make a better film about the Soviet army fighting against the German invasion - they might as weill stick to the propagandist and full of nonsense "Enemy at the Gates"...
I would watch it again. If someone thinks that Hollywood can make a better film about the Soviet army fighting against the German invasion - they might as weill stick to the propagandist and full of nonsense "Enemy at the Gates"...
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