Soviet radio nerds vs Nazi codes in a muddy Belarusian hellscape. Surprisingly gripping!
West Belarus, October 1944. The German command is trying to prevent Soviet troops from entering East Prussia. In order to exclude the leakage of information about their plans, the Nazis use a new code, which is to be solved by Soviet radio operators. This is the task that Major-General Zharov and his subordinates receive. To protect the scouts ordered to a group of Captain Belov, which has already once saved the general from the attack of the German landing force.
Acting
Yepifantsev's exhausted Belov carries the whole muddy operation.
Production
Authentic period radios and weather that actively hates the characters.
Director
Aleksandr Franskevich-Laye
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The director also plays SMERSH major Klyonin, essentially casting himself as the morally slippery secret policeman.
SMERSH (Smert Shpionam — 'Death to Spies') was Stalin's brutal counter-intelligence; this rare sympathetic portrayal sparked debate in Russian film circles.
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