I've expected a bit more from Brestskaya krepost. Thanks to the rating, I was looking forward to experience a different (Russian) view on Eastern front and was awaiting accuracy on battlefield which I am pretty sensitive about. Everything went good till German attack.
POSITIVES first:
-All visuals are good and so are the uniforms, vehicles etc.
-Film managed really good to build "calm before the storm" atmosphere. I could feel the tension in the air and it made me to continue watching.
-The film covers everything important in my opinion. Some reviewers have written about a feeling that Russians act in Brestskay krepost like it is theirs for ages and that Russians have committed many crimes in Poland which should have been shown in the movie too. I had this feeling also but I disagree with these reviewers about a matter of showing the background of Russian occupation in 1939-1941. I don't think it would add anything important to the story.
NEGATIVES:
-Overall battle performance and tactics of both sides were at least strange. As the Germans were advancing in extended order towards the Russians first time, the Russians have counter-attacked into the close combat instead of ambush and relatively safe shooting from the building. There was absolutely no reason to do that. This scene would be much more typical for Napoleonic wars than for 1941. Furthermore, attacking in urban areas in extended orders is nonsense. In reality, it was about quick moves, searching for cover, covering comrades etc. German infantry could have used some armored vehicles and move with them while hiding themselves behind them.
-Waves of Germans trying to get closer to the Russians, who were defending buildings and fortress, while running without cover or covering fire and therefore dying instantly. Although close quarter combat was not yet developed in these days, since 19th century there was a common practice in military of dividing infantrymen into at least two units or "platoons" where one covers the second during its advance and then they change roles. It would be more believable if one German unit would provide massive fire on Russian positions and the second unit would quickly advance and take some good positions, ready to cover the others.
-One of the German objectives was saving lives of their soldiers which makes the scene with captives quite unbelievable. I don't think they could have exposed their soldiers to potential fire because of some doubtful intent, probably to make Russians negotiate or what.
-Many times, Germans shout without a reason just ... to make them look more German? This is at least the Hollywood's idea of Germans but I didn't expect this in a Russian film. For example, they shout at each other: "Be aware of windows, fire at will, fire..." which are pretty "empty" useless phrases, while they are already fighting. When they are yelling this during taking a building, it becomes a problem because they tend to reveal their position to the enemy.
In spite of the negatives, it was a solid movie. If you are not as sensitive about the battles as I am, you will definitely enjoy.
POSITIVES first:
-All visuals are good and so are the uniforms, vehicles etc.
-Film managed really good to build "calm before the storm" atmosphere. I could feel the tension in the air and it made me to continue watching.
-The film covers everything important in my opinion. Some reviewers have written about a feeling that Russians act in Brestskay krepost like it is theirs for ages and that Russians have committed many crimes in Poland which should have been shown in the movie too. I had this feeling also but I disagree with these reviewers about a matter of showing the background of Russian occupation in 1939-1941. I don't think it would add anything important to the story.
NEGATIVES:
-Overall battle performance and tactics of both sides were at least strange. As the Germans were advancing in extended order towards the Russians first time, the Russians have counter-attacked into the close combat instead of ambush and relatively safe shooting from the building. There was absolutely no reason to do that. This scene would be much more typical for Napoleonic wars than for 1941. Furthermore, attacking in urban areas in extended orders is nonsense. In reality, it was about quick moves, searching for cover, covering comrades etc. German infantry could have used some armored vehicles and move with them while hiding themselves behind them.
-Waves of Germans trying to get closer to the Russians, who were defending buildings and fortress, while running without cover or covering fire and therefore dying instantly. Although close quarter combat was not yet developed in these days, since 19th century there was a common practice in military of dividing infantrymen into at least two units or "platoons" where one covers the second during its advance and then they change roles. It would be more believable if one German unit would provide massive fire on Russian positions and the second unit would quickly advance and take some good positions, ready to cover the others.
-One of the German objectives was saving lives of their soldiers which makes the scene with captives quite unbelievable. I don't think they could have exposed their soldiers to potential fire because of some doubtful intent, probably to make Russians negotiate or what.
-Many times, Germans shout without a reason just ... to make them look more German? This is at least the Hollywood's idea of Germans but I didn't expect this in a Russian film. For example, they shout at each other: "Be aware of windows, fire at will, fire..." which are pretty "empty" useless phrases, while they are already fighting. When they are yelling this during taking a building, it becomes a problem because they tend to reveal their position to the enemy.
In spite of the negatives, it was a solid movie. If you are not as sensitive about the battles as I am, you will definitely enjoy.