Viewers have hailed an unknown gem the ‘greatest’ war film and a ‘must watch masterpiece’.
The Winter War was first released in 1989 and is based on the 1984 novel Talvisota by Antti Tuuri.
Set in 1939, the Finnish film is about the Soviet-Finnish Winter War of 1939–40.
The story follows two brothers from Kauhava and their fellow soldiers as they face brutal combat and freezing conditions against overwhelming Soviet forces.
Critics praised the film for its realistic portrayal of war and emotional impact.
It’s a tribute to Finnish resilience and sacrifice during a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.
The Pekka Parikka directed film received strong recognition in both Finland and abroad.
The film won six Jussi Awards, including Best Director, Best Actor (Taneli Mäkelä), and Best Supporting Actor (Vesa Vierikko).
It was also nominated for the Golden Bear at the 1990 Berlin International Film Festival.
Viewers have praised the film as well, with one person writing in a review: “A relatively less known Finnish masterpiece about The Winter War 1939-40. One of first ‘gritty, realistic war movies’, if not The First, which had direct or indirect influence to most war movies directed after it. No Hollywoodisms, no artificial forced plot, no superheroes, no glorification of war.”
Another said: “I can’t really tell what it was but the story struck me. Not only did this movie give you a story about the war itself, but also on the impact it had on the families afflicted by it. Excellent acting and a chillingly choice of filming made this movie one to remember. Forget about ‘saving private ryan’ this movie shows a war in all it’s roughness without the fancy actors doing their best to be the “brave soldier” (no offense to some, but lots to others).”
Someone else hailed it as the “greatest Finnish war movie.”
The Winter War is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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