This is a film with a very modest budget, which still comes across as a fairly enjoyable viewing experience. It dispenses with realism,and lets the audience know this from the very start, so with that fact in place, it proceeds to construct a pretty decent story line. While battle scenes deliberately contain exaggeration in various forms,this doesn't come across as alienating, because the film really operates on a higher lever, which concerns issues of loyalty, bravery, and fortitude in the face of certain annihilation. This is a story about people who are forced to make hard decisions, and as such it works.
3 Reviews
The sixth company goes to the sky or a good film adaptation of the legendary feat
lyubitelfilmov23 October 2023
Historical drama, action movie. The film adaptation of the real feat of the Russian fighters of the 6th company of the 104th Guards Parachute Regiment of the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division, which at the beginning of the second Chechen war in the Argun Gorge took an unequal battle against a two-thousandth detachment of Chechen militants (which included many foreign mercenaries). Of the ninety guys who took the fight then, eighty-four died. Twenty-two paratroopers received the title of "Hero of the Russian Federation" posthumously (except one). The militants suffered serious losses, but with this battle the Russian troops proved again that they are the best, and that they never retreat! Eternal memory of the fallen guys. And in 2006, our filmmakers decided to film this feat. I admit, I have heard about this picture, but the desire to see it appeared only now, especially after watching "Purgatory" and "Quiet Outpost". I looked at the picture - and it's not bad, but it doesn't reach the "Thunder Gate". And here's my brief opinion for you - A good film adaptation of the legendary feat. In the picture there were both advantages and disadvantages, which are also worth telling. And this concludes such an important introduction, and I come to the point.
So, the advantages: 1. Scenario - if we do not take into account the shortcomings (which will be discussed later), then the creators were able to tell us (albeit rather cursorily) the story of the feat of the paratroopers of the sixth company, while showing the terrorists (who are not homogeneous in their composition and their beliefs, for example, the rivalry of two field commanders is characteristic). The second Chechen War began. Russian troops were able to defeat the militants who invaded from Chechnya, but a two-thousandth detachment of militants managed to escape. And if nothing is done, the detachment will break out of the encirclement. Only the sixth company stands in the way of the bandits, which occupies the height of 776 - the most important in the entire Argun gorge. If the militants want to break through, then they will need to capture this height. But the troops will not give up their positions. The command promised to send reinforcements. Ours only need to hold out. The finale of the picture is obvious, because in reality everything did not end in the best way - the bandits broke through, reinforcements did not come on time. But the terrorists paid a terrible price for this breakthrough, and the Russian landing force once again covered itself with unfading glory. We will be shown both ordinary soldiers and officers, and even militants, among whom there are also honest people who have preserved the remnants of honor (for example, commander Murad). It's not bad for the audience to reveal the characters and motivation of our boys, so we will worry about them.
2. Disclosure of the heroes - there will also be a general's son (not a "general's son") who will recover in battle, although his father can attach him to the headquarters, one of the junior commanders has a military field love with a nurse, who will have a son soon, and who just wants to enjoy life after the demob, and a conscientious captain who will fly to the rescue of his own, thereby violating the order. They are all our paratroopers who will carry out the order without hesitation and give the terrorists such a thrashing that it will not seem enough to them. We have not forgotten about the loyal officers' wives who faithfully and faithfully wait for their husbands from business trips. Yes, the heroes were revealed better in "Thunder Gate", but it's not bad here either. It was physically painful for me when the paratroopers died one by one on the screen.
3. Legendary fight - despite some problems (which are discussed below), the fight itself is shown and staged quite well. A lot of pyrotechnics, ammunition, tactics, strategy. It is interesting to watch, and if you take into account the involvement in what is happening, it is even more emotional. After all, there are a lot of terrorists, but the Russian troops do not run and do not give up. This fight is very much reminiscent of the excellent domestic TV series "Spetsnaz" (and Igor Lifanov was filmed there, as well as here, and the role is similar).
So, disadvantages: 1. A strange fight - it's not there, then it is. This is very strange, considering how it actually happened. Yes, there, after the first unsuccessful attack, the terrorists simply attacked the paratroopers, trying to break through our positions using mortars, AGS, grenade launchers and so on. The battle did not stop there for several days (plus there were also battles with separate platoons of paratroopers and reinforcements, which the terrorists simply crushed with a mass). Then there is a massive battle, then silence. A misunderstanding. Okay, it's a movie.
2. Who is to blame? - the picture has not been able to answer this question, which still excites the Russian public. Who should I ask for the death of the sixth company? The command of the Russian group? Higher authorities in Moscow? Why didn't they cover the whole area with artillery when it became clear that the landing would not last? Why did it take so long for help to arrive? And there will be many more questions that will not be answered. The creators will only talk about the order and that it was necessary to "lure a big fish". That's just for the death of the sixth company, no one from the command suffered the deserved punishment. Our, then still young, "sovereign of hope" simply rewarded the dead guys and ordered them to erect a monument. I am glad that we won the second Chechen war, and the wave of radical Islamic terrorism in the North Caucasus decreased significantly (then there was WHO, but that's another story). I hope that the guys from the sixth company were glad that the war in which they died was victoriously over for Russia, and that their feat was not forgotten.
The music in the picture is not bad, but there are no memorable compositions. The actors played well, especially Igor Lifanov (Captain Stozharov), Alexander Klyukvin (Colonel Shevkunov) and Oleg Stefanko (General Selivanov) My rating is 7 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
So, the advantages: 1. Scenario - if we do not take into account the shortcomings (which will be discussed later), then the creators were able to tell us (albeit rather cursorily) the story of the feat of the paratroopers of the sixth company, while showing the terrorists (who are not homogeneous in their composition and their beliefs, for example, the rivalry of two field commanders is characteristic). The second Chechen War began. Russian troops were able to defeat the militants who invaded from Chechnya, but a two-thousandth detachment of militants managed to escape. And if nothing is done, the detachment will break out of the encirclement. Only the sixth company stands in the way of the bandits, which occupies the height of 776 - the most important in the entire Argun gorge. If the militants want to break through, then they will need to capture this height. But the troops will not give up their positions. The command promised to send reinforcements. Ours only need to hold out. The finale of the picture is obvious, because in reality everything did not end in the best way - the bandits broke through, reinforcements did not come on time. But the terrorists paid a terrible price for this breakthrough, and the Russian landing force once again covered itself with unfading glory. We will be shown both ordinary soldiers and officers, and even militants, among whom there are also honest people who have preserved the remnants of honor (for example, commander Murad). It's not bad for the audience to reveal the characters and motivation of our boys, so we will worry about them.
2. Disclosure of the heroes - there will also be a general's son (not a "general's son") who will recover in battle, although his father can attach him to the headquarters, one of the junior commanders has a military field love with a nurse, who will have a son soon, and who just wants to enjoy life after the demob, and a conscientious captain who will fly to the rescue of his own, thereby violating the order. They are all our paratroopers who will carry out the order without hesitation and give the terrorists such a thrashing that it will not seem enough to them. We have not forgotten about the loyal officers' wives who faithfully and faithfully wait for their husbands from business trips. Yes, the heroes were revealed better in "Thunder Gate", but it's not bad here either. It was physically painful for me when the paratroopers died one by one on the screen.
3. Legendary fight - despite some problems (which are discussed below), the fight itself is shown and staged quite well. A lot of pyrotechnics, ammunition, tactics, strategy. It is interesting to watch, and if you take into account the involvement in what is happening, it is even more emotional. After all, there are a lot of terrorists, but the Russian troops do not run and do not give up. This fight is very much reminiscent of the excellent domestic TV series "Spetsnaz" (and Igor Lifanov was filmed there, as well as here, and the role is similar).
So, disadvantages: 1. A strange fight - it's not there, then it is. This is very strange, considering how it actually happened. Yes, there, after the first unsuccessful attack, the terrorists simply attacked the paratroopers, trying to break through our positions using mortars, AGS, grenade launchers and so on. The battle did not stop there for several days (plus there were also battles with separate platoons of paratroopers and reinforcements, which the terrorists simply crushed with a mass). Then there is a massive battle, then silence. A misunderstanding. Okay, it's a movie.
2. Who is to blame? - the picture has not been able to answer this question, which still excites the Russian public. Who should I ask for the death of the sixth company? The command of the Russian group? Higher authorities in Moscow? Why didn't they cover the whole area with artillery when it became clear that the landing would not last? Why did it take so long for help to arrive? And there will be many more questions that will not be answered. The creators will only talk about the order and that it was necessary to "lure a big fish". That's just for the death of the sixth company, no one from the command suffered the deserved punishment. Our, then still young, "sovereign of hope" simply rewarded the dead guys and ordered them to erect a monument. I am glad that we won the second Chechen war, and the wave of radical Islamic terrorism in the North Caucasus decreased significantly (then there was WHO, but that's another story). I hope that the guys from the sixth company were glad that the war in which they died was victoriously over for Russia, and that their feat was not forgotten.
The music in the picture is not bad, but there are no memorable compositions. The actors played well, especially Igor Lifanov (Captain Stozharov), Alexander Klyukvin (Colonel Shevkunov) and Oleg Stefanko (General Selivanov) My rating is 7 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
Moral tale with action
richkiel30 October 2021
The film is ostensibly made as an account of the battle in which 6th company was annihilated on a hill by Chechen rebels and jihadists who were trying to make a breakthrough from Chechnya into Dagestan in 2000. It was an event that caused a great deal of controversy, as questions about the responsibility of the Russian HQ for the fate of the company was brought into question. However, the bravery of the troops was never questioned, as they stood their ground and fought to the last man, even when facing an enemy that had an advantage of 20 to 1 in manpower. It was a strategic victory for the enemy, but a moral victory for the Russian troops on the ground.
The film is concerned with the moral aspect of the story, denouncing the enemy, arguing for the just struggle of the Russians, and stressing the bravery of Russian soldiers, which is tied to patriotism and the spirit of Russians as a people. It is a tale of fortitude, bravery, loyalty, idealism, willingness to sacrifice for one's friends, resolve to do one's duty even when facing death... There is a lot of action in this film. It is not particularly impressive, but it has decent production values nonetheless. The film also addresses the controversy regarding the possibly bad decisions made by the HQ that led to such heavy casualties. However, this is done in such a confused way that one is no wiser about the whole thing after watching the film. The film does suggest that reinforcements were not sent in due time, and that artillery support was withheld for reasons that were never properly explained.
Thus, the film disappoints in the sense that it doesn't explain what actually happened, but on the other hand, this is a topic that is still being debated. The film does suggest the HQ probably has some responsibility in the matter, though.
The film is concerned with the moral aspect of the story, denouncing the enemy, arguing for the just struggle of the Russians, and stressing the bravery of Russian soldiers, which is tied to patriotism and the spirit of Russians as a people. It is a tale of fortitude, bravery, loyalty, idealism, willingness to sacrifice for one's friends, resolve to do one's duty even when facing death... There is a lot of action in this film. It is not particularly impressive, but it has decent production values nonetheless. The film also addresses the controversy regarding the possibly bad decisions made by the HQ that led to such heavy casualties. However, this is done in such a confused way that one is no wiser about the whole thing after watching the film. The film does suggest that reinforcements were not sent in due time, and that artillery support was withheld for reasons that were never properly explained.
Thus, the film disappoints in the sense that it doesn't explain what actually happened, but on the other hand, this is a topic that is still being debated. The film does suggest the HQ probably has some responsibility in the matter, though.
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