gavin6942 Veronica plans a rendezvous with her lover, Boris, at the bank of the river, only for him to be drafted into World War II shortly thereafter.I know very little about Soviet film. Really my only experience after the 1930s that quickly comes to mind is "Stalker". I am sure there are others, including other Tarkovsky films, but I am drawing a blank. This one is a nice exception to the forgettable films.Any story of Russia in World War II is good. Americans like to believe they single-handedly defeated Japan and Germany, conveniently forgetting that Russia was the primary opponent of Germany at the time. More films covering that cannot hurt. But then add a romantic angle? Excellent! There is something rather French about this film, which seems appropriate... the cultured class of Russia always seemed to love the French.

Hitchcoc This film really grew on me. It tells the story of a young man who goes off to war, filled with desire to become a hero and defend mother Russia. He leaves behind a young woman who adores him but is never able to tell him. What happens here is what happens so often. She gives up hope of ever seeing him and ends up married to a man who has had designs on her and whom she actually hates.. What's worse, he rapes her in a building that is being bombed by German aircraft. The "glory" of war is shown for what it is: the human tendency to kill its children while the decision makers sit an pontificate. This is so poignant, so human, and it gives us no winners. By the way, the camera is the star of this movie. The battle scenes take us plodding through the mud, facing death at every turn. It carries us through the masses as they see their heroes off to battle. It shows us graphically the obstructions thrown up by war as they diminish the human condition.

Boba_Fett1138 It's always good and interesting to watch a WW II movie, that is telling a not so common story or is telling things from an unique perspective. This is a WW II movie that focuses more on what happens to those who are not fighting and are at home, waiting for their beloved ones to return home safely. This is not unique but what is sort of unique is that it's doing it without falling into the usual clichés and isn't using any false sentiments to fuel its drama. This is really foremost why "Letyat zhuravli" works out as both an original drama and WW II movie.And it's an Soviet movie, so that already means that it's being different from anything you're probably accustomed to. Soviet movies at the time always had a very distinctive- and powerful style and atmosphere over it, this one included. Yes, you could also really call it a propaganda movie (especially toward its end it's really starting to head into that direction) but this is of course not necessarily a bad thing. As a matter of fact, it's even what makes some Soviet movies even more interesting to watch, in todays light and retrospective.One thing that almost immediately becomes apparent about this movie, is that it's an incredible well shot one. Its camera-work is fantastic and they used some unique shots for this movie. But also with all of its close-ups and large crowed scenes, it's a great looking black & white movie, that uses some fine lighting as well.It also helps the movie that it's being a quite short one. Before thing start to dwell on and before things can get too melodramatic, it's over already. 90 minutes (and a bit) was basically the perfect running time for this movie.As far as war movies, mixed with drama and romance go, this is definitely one of the better and more unique movies to watch.8/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

ihrtfilms Sometimes you see a film and it knocks you for six. Sometimes those films are unknown to most people. The Cranes Are Flying is one of those films. Made in Soviet Russia in 1957, the films starts with the romance of Veronika and Boris, a romance that is rudely interrupted when he volunteers to go to the front during WWII. After the lose of her own family, Boris' family invite her to live with them, only for his brother who found exemption from fighting 'forcing' her into marriage. The family are forced to move to Siberia to escape the onslaught of the Germans and it is here Veronika learns the fate of her real love.The film's main plot, the love story, is tragic, but the film as a whole is as tragic in it's depiction of war and the immense effect it has on people. Through fine performances the cast bring another episode of war to life, with drama, joy, despair and hope. Director Mikhail Kalatozov achieves something else, a masterpiece of film making. The film contains some of the most remarkable camera work you'll likely to see in a pre-CGI film world. One of the early scenes where Boris runs up flights of stairs as the camera pans and follows in one take is a hint of things to come. That scene is mirrored when Veronika returns to her family apartment to find it bombed and runs up the same stairwell, that hangs among the ruins and fire. There are fine tracking shots, such as where Veronica runs along the dispatch area or when she runs along the train track. Another stand out scene is where Veronica is 'trapped' by the brother during an air raid, the noise loud, the camera angles obscure, the lighting jarred and ominous, it's a powerful moment, among many throughout the film.The audience learns the fate of Boris way before Veronica, who tries to hang onto hope that he will return. Her love grows ever more when she discovers the note he left in the toy squirrel. The powerful end scenes, when the truth is revealed are stunningly effective, full of emotion and the horror of what war can create in people.War films are often too busy concentrating on the battles itself, but occasionally a film will explore the real battle, the one that humanity has to endure on a personal level.More of my reviews at iheartfilms.weebly.com