Original subtitles

MOSFILM

The war was in its second year.

The fighting was drawing ever closer to the Volga river.

In November 1942

Soviet troops went over to the offensive

and closed a ring around Von Paulusís

group of German fascist armies totaling 330 thousand men

who had been besieging Stalingrad for over 4 months.

This was the beginning of the turning point of the war.

Hitler's general staff was striving

to regain the strategic initiative at any price,

to come to the aid of their encircled troops,

and to maintain its position near Stalingrad by all means.

This is the story of just one engagement

in the epic battle of Stalingrad.

Dedicated to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War.

THE HOT SNOW

Based upon the novel by Yuri BONDAREV.

Screenplay by Yu. BONDAREV Ye. GRIGORYEV, G. YEGIAZAROV.

Directed by Gavriil YEGIAZAROV.

Director of Photography F. DOBRONRAVOV.

Production Designer V. GOLIKOV.

Music by A. SCHNITTKE.

Starring.

Bessonov - G. ZHZHYONOV.

Vesnin - A. KUZNETSOV Deyev - V. SPIRIDONOV.

Kuznetsov - B. TOKAREV.

Drozdovsky - N. YERYOMENKO Tanya - T. SEDELNIKOVA.

Davlatyan - A. BABADZHANYAN.

Ukhanov - Yu. NAZAROV Chubarikov - A. PANKIN.

Nechayev - V. GRACHYOV.

Rubin - K. TYRTOV Chibisov - M. STRELKOV.

Sergunenkov - A. KAVALEROV.

Yevstigneyev - A. DOROZHKO Kasymov - B. BEISHENALIYEV.

Osin - I. LEDOGOROV.

Titkov - Kh. SHVEITS Bozhichko - V. IVANOV.

Mitya - A. ZIMIN.

Vasya - B. SMORCHKOV Svyatov - A. IGNATKOV.

Skorik - V. BIRYUKOV.

Golovanov - A. ARZHILOVSKY Dzhermachyov - G. KOROLKOV.

You're going to get all the girls, Sergunenkov!

Let them have their fun, Comrade Lieutenant.

Good boy, Sergunenkov!

Dancing.

- Where's the commander? - He's washing, Comrade Lieutenant.

Good for him.

Ah, that's good, men!

ALL we need now is a warm hut and an outgoing woman, and...

In the park at Chaheer...

Nechayev always sings the same aria.

The Navy must have fed you chocolates? That's why he's horny.

Don't be so coarse, pal. What do you know about it?

In the park at Chaheer, the almonds are in bloom...

- Quite a dancer that Sergunenkov! - He's got talent.

Way to go!

Hey, Look who's coming!

Our pretty medic!

You came to see us?

We're happy to see you, Tanya!

In the park at Chaheer, the roses are red,

In the park at Chaheer, the almonds are in bloom.

Come on, join in, guys!

I dream of your golden braid,

I dream of a joyous horizon to loom.

First battery, what's going on here?

Lieutenant Drozdovsky, may I ask you a question?

I'd Like to talk to you.

Go on, I'm Listening.

Perhaps I could have the attention of your battery?

Why are you Looking at me Like that?

Ah, Tanya dear, a simple soldiers soul doesn't interest you.

I can guess why you're here, nurse.

Regular battery inspection, rule number 8. No Lice.

Dear Tanya, our battery is in perfect order.

Did you sleep well?

No one bothered you?

You talk too much, Nechayev.

I don't understand why you always sing about some roses and braids?

Answer her, Sergeant.

Vladivostok, a Leave on shore, a dancing floor and...

In the park at Chaheer...

For 3 years I'd served to this tango.

But the girls in Vladivostok!

Air raid! Dive-bombers!

Get away from the tracks! Air raid!

To the steppe! Keep away from the train!

Volodya!

Volodya!

No more ammunition.

Volodya, get down! Please, get down, Volodya!

- Volodya! - Let go of me!

What's wrong with the machine gun?

Why don't you fire?

- Only Drozdovsky fired. - Fire with what?

Nurse! Nurse!

Battalion, back to the train!

First battery, back to your cars!

Just wait, we’ll get even!

Go on, Semyon Ivanovich.

The situation in the southwest has become very critical.

On December 12, outnumbering us 3 to 1 on a narrow portion of the front,

with massive support of the air force

and a five to one edge in armored divisions,

the enemy broke through our defenses, forcing their way across the Aksay.

After 72 hours of fighting they have advanced 45 kilometers

toward Stalingrad.

- Comrade Commander in chief? - With your permission?

Get me Division Commander Deyev.

Yes!

Where's our air support, Lieutenant Colonel?

- Comrade General... - Where're our fighter planes?

They've just taken off.

That kind of protection is worthless.

One should answer for it with one's Life.

I'm sorry.

Counterintelligence Chief?

Yes, Comrade Commander.

Colonel Osin, you're responsible for the safe arrival of the next echelons.

- Take any measures. - Yes.

Go and do your job.

Yes, Comrade General.

So, on the Germans' path there is Only a river, the Myshkova.

And then the flat steppe to Stalingrad.

When do you suppose they might reach the river?

Our army on that flank is falling back, fighting them all the way.

It's not impossible that the Germans may reach the river tonight.

What will be the result?

Should they cut our forces in two,

Manstein's tanks could cover 45 kilometers in 24 hours

and Link up with Von Paulusís grouping.

And what then?

It would change the situation completely in the Germans' favor.

If the Germans pierce our defenses on the Myshkova before we get there,

and deploy their forces on its right bank, they're going to trample us.

That's obvious, too.

What do they have in the 1st echelon?

The first echelon includes the 57th Tank Corps

composed of four divisions, two of them tank divisions.

By our estimation, 400 or 450 tanks.

Four hundred and fifty tanks!

Comrade Commander? We've finished unloading.

ALL right, Colonel, now Listen.

By tonight, your division is to take up defensive positions

on the Myshkova.

You must be dug in before nightfall.

Before nightfall? But, Comrade Commander...

- Is the order clear? - It's clear.

Look at the map. Here's the position of the Germans.

There's Only one obstacle in their way -

the Myshkova river.

Beyond lies the flat steppe all the way to Stalingrad.

That's why your division must take up defensive positions along the river

before the Germans get there.

We must forestall them.

If we don't, we're dead. Is that clear?

Yes, it is.

Have all the artillery that's not reserve artillery

placed in infantry combat positions, point them at the enemy tanks.

Destroy their tanks.

That's the main threat that the Germans have.

As for our tanks, we’ll use them Only at the critical juncture.

Before that, we have to save them Like the apple of our eye.

I understand, Comrade Commander.

What do you think, artillery commander?

Aren't we going to remain without artillery after the first battle?

I know about that risk.

I'd rather Lose every gun than allow the Germans Link up with Paulus.

I repeat, the destruction of tanks is our main task in the first phase.

Any more questions?

So we're going to the front, are we? Are the Germans far?

What's your hurry? There's always time enough to die.

Here he goes Like a broken record.

It's cold, huh? I bet tonight will be freezing.

Tonight we’ll give it hot to Germans, It’ll keep you warm.

How far is the front Line?

We won't have to Look for it, It’ll find us.

Straighten out those ranks!

Straighten your ranks, guys!

Damn this ice cream cone! Burned my throat all the way down.

You Love ice cream? Watch out, or you’ll end up in the field hospital.

Field hospital? Never. To hell with it!

Comrade Lieutenant!

You'd better ride in the medical vehicle.

ALL right, Ill go over there now.

Goodbye, boys.

Don't you miss me.

- Hop on the gun carriage. - What?

Lieutenant, can the medical corps catch a ride with us?

We can make an exception for the medic, sure.

If you're tired, you can hop on the carriage of the second gun.

Who told you that I was tired? I'm just thirsty.

Want a swig for your morale?

Ukhanov, what are you offering her? Put your flask away.

Suppose I want it?

Why do you worry about me anyhow? You jealous by any chance?

I can't be jealous of you. You've got a husband, haven't you?

What husband?

It's none of my business, but I'd be glad to hear you were married.

What nonsense!

If I were married, I'd have children! And that's impossible in wartime!

I want you to know it, Ukhanov, and you, too, Kuznetsov.

I just trust you both.

Well remember that.

Thanks, boys. A woman can fight a war with men Like you.

Clear the way! Let us through! Get your junk off the road!

They're as drunk as sailors.

Looks Like a General.

Get me the commander of this tank unit.

And hurry!

Are those the tank men who've been assigned to our group?

What a commotion they've set up!

That tank unit is still at the unloading area.

Their tanks just can't be here.

The General wants to see you.

Don't you bully me, Major. It's not my first day in this war.

Go on, tank man.

Are you drunk?

No, Comrade General.

I had my ration, no more.

Number of your unit and rank!

105th detached tank regiment, first battalion.

Commander of the third company.

What do you mean, 105th?

The 105th was detached to another army, defending the front Lines!

Not much defense there now, Comrade General.

ALL I've got Left of the unit is 3 tanks, with two of them hit.

The Germans have taken the town.

I got out of there with whatever I could, Comrade General.

So you got out?

You mean you retreated, right?

The regiment got out too?

I don't know who managed to get out, Comrade General.

I had no communication, the radio was knocked out, so I couldn't...

What else do you have to say?

Major Titkov!

Arrest this coward and have him court-martialed. Take him away!

Comrade General...

Bozhichko, examine their tanks. See what condition they're in.

Yes, Comrade General.

Why aren't we moving? Get the officer in charge!

- Whose truck is this? - I'm second Lieutenant Belenky.

It's my artillery supply truck. We broke down.

How old are you, Lieutenant?

I'm 18, Comrade General. Why?

Why?

For how Long are you going to hold us up?

I don't know.

I give you 5 minutes to unload the supplies and clear the bridge.

Let me see the General!

- You got that? - Yes.

Comrade General!

Comrade Commander, Please Listen to me!

My radio didn't work!

Pyotr Alexandrovich, Please. He's a very young man.

He probably was in a state of exhaustion.

Now he realizes that he committed a crime.

We've had a talk. Please don't be hard on the boy.

You seem to have forgotten how dangerous panic is, Vitaly Isayevich.

Let them bring the boy over. I want to take another Look at him.

Major Titkov, bring the tankman here.

- Well, speak up, man! - Yes.

Comrade General,

Ill make it up with my blood, with my Life.

Shoot me if I don't. Only trust me.

That will do.

Get into a tank and out of my sight.

Get into the tank and pray to God. You're Lucky this time.

- I... - Go on.

"Eighteen. Why?"

Just a boy.

- Who, the tank man? - No, the one on the bridge.

After a couple of battles he’ll be a hero.

You know what happens after a couple of battles, Bozhichko?

That's war, Comrade Commander.

You got any children, Bozhichko?

No, I'm all alone, Like a free Cossack.

Then you got no right to talk. Sorry, Comrade General.

How about you, Ignatyev?

Why yes, Comrade Commissar. I have three.

Two girls, and one boy. You can't Live without kids.

Children, that's wonderful.

- What about you, Comrade General? - A son.

Must be grown up now?

Twenty years old.

The 2nd shock group my son served in

suffered a defeat in June.

He wasn't among those who got out of the encirclement.

He's reported missing.

Take a break!

Halt!

On your feet! The break is over!

Time to move out!

Just get ready to take a nap and it's time to move out already!

Battery! Get ready to move out!

Just stay put for a minute till the men up front get moving.

Where's Ukhanov?

We could use a Little chow, but the field kitchen's got Lost.

Chow is all you ever think about, spongers.

Comrade Lieutenant!

On your feet! Get ready to move out!

Battery, attention! Left dress!

Comrade General, First Fire Section of the First Battery, First Division!

Why don't you Line up? What are you waiting for?

What's wrong? Trouble with stragglers?

No. The men are tired, Comrade General.

- I don't understand you. - The men are tired, Comrade General.

Are you fresh out of officers training school, Lieutenant?

I fought for 3 months in 1941, now I've finished an artillery school.

Out of school... You're in command here!

I didn't expect to be in command yet.

How about that. And what did you want to be?

I haven't decided yet. Just finished school. Shall we start moving out?

Yes, of course, Lieutenant. But in just one direction - forward!

Give the order, Lieutenant. Make your heroes move up!

Forward march!

Step up! Where's Ukhanov?

Couldn't have gone far. Perhaps singing songs to Tanya?

- Get moving, Slavs! - There he is!

Here're sunflower seeds, folks. A granny gave me some.

- You must be hungry. - Let's have some!

And for our chief? Here, Lieutenant.

- Put away those sunflower seeds! - The General's been here.

You know what you could be called?

I know I could be called a deserter. But I didn't mean to Let you down.

Lieutenant Kuznetsov, come here!

If anything, blame me.

You're disgracing the battery. This battery is not a joy ride!

And where's the field kitchen, Commander? The men are hungry.

What kind of report is that, Kuznetsov?

Giving in to panic, are you? Being led around by those Ukhanov?

No one leads me around!

And Ukhanov's no worse than you and me. We went to the same school.

- Halt! That's an order! - Don't shout, Commander.

Remember, the battery is under my orders.

We're not in school, and I'm not going to be easy. Go back to your section!

It's ridiculous, Commander.

- Did they go to the same school? - Yeah, you bet they did.

Our commander will go far. If he Lives, he’ll make Colonel.

Oh Lord, when is it all going to end?

I can't take it any more.

Chibisov, don't straggle! Lift your feet!

What's wrong with you, Chibisov? You shouldn't Let yourself go Like that.

Come on, stride!

Stride!

Hold back!

Going downhill! To your guns!

Hold back. Down grade.

Brakes! Everybody to the guns!

Everybody to number one gun to help!

Take the straps!

Look out for your feet!

Hold it back!

Hold it back! Hold it back!

Whoa! Whoa! Hold it!

Hold that gun!

Hold it back! Hold it back!

What are you waiting for, Sergunenkov? Give her the whip, to get her up!

Ill give you the whip! Can't you see what's wrong?

The forelegs got it. How could you drivers do that?

That horse will never reach the front.

Why did you stop? What's wrong with that horse?

It's her forelegs.

She must have shied at something. She was a young mare.

Pull yourself together, Sergunenkov.

So she broke her forelegs? Get her out of the way and shoot her.

He cares more about that mare than he does about us.

She has Only herself to blame!

No! I won't Let you! She's not to blame, is she?

Rubin!

Idiot! You don't know how to fire!

There!

Thereíll be other horses, the enemy's.

Right, Ukhanov.

Compliments can wait, Comrade Lieutenant. It's too soon yet.

Shoulders to the gun, men. Everybody ready to push! Forward!

Bring her over.

How's that, all right?

- Dig a Little more. - Get her out of there.

Let's go.

How's the infantry doing?

Fine. How's the artillery?

Smirnov, Sergey. Seryoga, to friends.

- Kuznetsov, Nikolai. - In other words, Kolya.

So the big celebration is tomorrow?

- Tomorrow? - You think, today? Won't make it.

- Where are you from? - From Moscow.

Oh, the capital! I'm from Taganrog. Ever heard of such town?

- Chekhov's home. - Right.

Get dug in, then come to see us. Weíll talk. I have vodka.

- Sure, Ill drop over. - See you then.

Be seeing you.

Dig! Dig a Little more.

ALL right, old man, you can take a break.

Sit down and enjoy the view.

Weíll feel more and more at home as we dig in the bowels of the earth.

It sure is quiet now.

Either we've Halted the enemy, or the Germans have broken through.

What's your guess, Lieutenant? An hour? Two hours?

Who the hell knows.

What does it matter, one or two? We've got to dig in Like mad.

Come on, dig, guys, or we're going to be smashed flat!

First battery?

You should be ashamed of yourself, sergeant. Where were you?

ALL the supply units are way behind. Not Only you are fighting this war.

Go to hell, you Kraut! Where were you? The men are starving!

- You're going to get it! - Are you out of your mind?

Ill show you! Want to be court-martialed?

- Davlatyan, what's going on? - There, he shows up at Last!

Welcome, home-front aristocracy!

It's a bad policy to incite the men. Ill be complaining to the commander.

- Kasymov threatened me with his gun. - You may complain even to the devil.

Hurry up and feed the battery, you expert at the regulations.

Don't you shout at me! Who’ll show me the way?

Goga, show him where the battery is, or he’ll get Lost for another day.

Some warriors! Weíll see how you're going to sing tomorrow.

They don't have any consciousness. Letting people starve.

Kasymov, you go and have supper. Ill take your place.

No, Comrade Lieutenant, Ill stay at my post two more hours.

In our South Kazakhstan, there can be more snow than this.

I'm not that much cold yet.

I guess the snow's different there. Is it warm in your country?

Yes, very warm.

The steppe, the hills.

Plenty of grass in the spring.

And flowers! A whole green sea.

And the air! In the morning as pure as running water.

The rivers are clear, you can catch fish with your bare hands.

Rivers, mountains... I'd Like to see them.

When this war is over, you’ll come and stay with me.

And if you Like it, settle down there.

No, I wouldn't trade my old Moscow for anything.

Yeah...

It feels weird, this quiet.

I don't Like this quiet since since the summer of '41.

I wonder why they're not shooting.

The Germans are sneaking up on us.

Yeah, not a single round.

Good evening.

Shall I go to observation?

Go ahead. Tell Golovanov to have the men dig in normal profile.

If I need you, weíll call for you.

It's gotten so quiet.

You can hear the wick crackling.

I wonder how all this is going to end.

What do you mean, Volodya?

Do you really find it interesting to be in Kuznetsov's squad?

- I don't understand it. - Volodya...

Take Ukhanov.

Here's really a heel.

He should've been kicked out of school, but they made him a sergeant.

And Kuznetsov.

I can imagine what it'd be Like with him as battery commander.

Saying the men are tired, the field-kitchen's late.

I've been training my will power since childhood.

I hate this lack of discipline!

We haven't seen each other for so Long and you talk about all that.

It makes you angry to have me near you too often.

I understand that, and I don't want to make you unhappy.

This war isn't my invention, and I can't do anything about it.

You want everybody to know what there is between us.

As a battery commander, I cannot be a target for gossip.

- I'm not afraid of gossip. - That's not what matters!

There're many who'd be glad to see me get soft.

You don't know what they're Like. I do!

There're times you get angry about nothing, Volodya.

About nothing?

Getting beaten back all the way to the Volga, that's nothing for you?

I cried when I heard they took Minsk on the 5th day of war. The 5th day!

What's the matter?

You angry?

No. I was Listening.

- I'm afraid. - You? Afraid of what, darling?

It's a kind of fear inside me.

I don't believe. I don't believe you Love me.

I'm afraid you’ll betray me.

No. Ill never betray you.

Promise?

Comrade Commander.

Comrade Commander!

Who the hell is there?

Comrade Commander.

Comrade Commander.

The Colonel and the commissar have come to make an inspection!

Why haven't you reported it sooner?

I didn't want to disturb you and your wife.

Keep quiet, Golovanov! Are you crazy?

What wife? Who's spreading these stupid rumors about me?

Reconnaissance hasn't returned yet, but they're very experienced men.

Battery commander Lieutenant Drozdovsky reporting.

- The battery ready for combat. - Ready?

Do you realize that your battery is positioned

where the enemy tanks will strike?

And behind you is Stalingrad.

We're ready to die on that position.

Are you a Komsomolsk member?

Squad commanders and most of our men are.

Lieutenant Davlatyan is our Komsomol leader.

That's what I mean, your Lives are just beginning.

Glasses.

They're coming.

And in force.

Time to go, Comrade Commissar.

They're going to give it hot to us. It's your first time, aren't you scared?

No, Comrade Commissar.

Fine. The time has come for action.

Everyone in the shelters.

As they say, Lieutenant, "survive the bombing".

Yes.

Everybody to the shelters.

Forty-eight.

Got lead in your butt? It's pulling you down?

Can't control it, somehow.

Just think that nothing can happen to you.

Want to smoke? It helps to calm you down.

It might calm me down, too. You want one, Lieutenant?

No, thanks.

They're heading straight for us!

Lieutenant, Look at papa groundhog.

- Hey, Chibisov, you alive? - I think so, Comrade Lieutenant.

I'm alive and well.

I have children, you know. Five of them.

I haven't got the right to die.

Comrade Lieutenant! Comrade Lieutenant!

Chubarikov, are you all alive?

Comrade Lieutenant, there's a wounded scout here.

- Are you hurt? - No, Only hard of hearing.

The bombs hit and he crawled in.

Observation called.

Davlatyan's gun got bombed. Two dead, five men wounded.

- Who was killed? - I don't know.

They're over there... They're over there...

What's over there? Whatíll I report?

I'm Georgiyev.

From reconnaissance.

I'm going to bleed dead, guys.

Hurry. Inform the division that...

What?

Whatíll I say? What?

- Tanks! - Tanks!

- Chubarikov, to the gun! - To the gun!

Comrade Lieutenant, the tanks are coming!

Get ready, Chubarikov.

What's the report?

Rubin! Sergunenkov! Get the scout to the observation post, to Drozdovsky.

Take your time.

Open fire Only in constant elevation.

In constant elevation, you understand? Otherwise, wait.

Wolves! Closing in for the kill on all sides!

Lieutenant, 900 meters. So what do we do?

Smoke's so thick I can't aim.

Another 200 meters.

Lieutenant, the commander's here!

First unit must open fire now!

- Why don't you open fire? - Where? Fire at the smoke?

- Show them where the battery is? - I order you to open fire!

I can see better from here!

Goga, why? What are you up to?!

Gun number two must have got hit!

Those tanks on the Left! Aim for the first one!

- Elevation 12, load shell! - Elevation 12.

Fire!

Maintain constant elevation! Fire!

Fire!

Constant elevation! Fire!

Chubarikov!

I'm still here.

- Yevstigneyev! - He was deafened, I guess.

Can you aim all right?

I'm all right. My ears are ringing a Little. Give more voice!

On your feet! Man the gun!

Man the gun! Start loading!

Aim higher, men, higher! Faster, Yevstigneyev!

Fire when ready!

We hit the track!

Fire!

Aim, don't wait! Chubarikov! Fire!

My eyes are full of sand.

I can't see.

Yevstigneyev! Yevstigneyev!

Yevstigneyev, keep firing!

The smoke! I can't get a clear view!

Ukhanov. He got that tank!

Give me my cap! I don't want to catch cold!

The tanks on the Left broke through!

The tanks are on the top of the battery!

Shut up! Man your posts! Turn the gun!

Come on!

Hurry, turn the gun to the Left!

Forward! More!

Faster! Hurry!

If they get to the rear, they'll smash all our guns!

Why don't they fire? Are they killed? Where are they?

Come on, hurry!

There's not enough room to turn it, Comrade Lieutenant!

- Yevstigneyev, what's wrong? - Cramped by the breastwork there!

Take over here, Chubarikov. I'm going to Davlatyanís battery.

Farther right! Farther right, I said!

Davlatyan, to the gun!

Kasymov!

Got to Live. Got to keep firing.

Lieutenant, got to fire the gun!

Kuznetsov! Lieutenant, my dear!

Tanya, Ill aim and you Load.

The shell. The shell! You hear?

Just a second. Ill take him out of here and dress his wound.

To the gun! I said to Load!

Quick! Take a shell from the case!

Why two tanks burning? We Only fired one round.

Why're there two tanks?

Did I get hit?

Lieutenant!

Tanya.

Tanya!

Tanya! Tanya!

Can you hear me, Tanya? Are you wounded?

Tanya.

- Where's Davlatyan? - Wounded.

- Where is he? - Down in the shelter.

Tanya, help Kasymov.

I'm going to the gun.

Got to.

Wait, you bastards!

If Only we had the shells. The shells. Fire!

Just you wait! If Only I had the shells.

Fire! If Only I had the shells.

Just a few shells. Just wait!

Just you wait, bastards!

Fire!

Only the shells. The shells.

Bastards!

Fire!

Just you wait, bastards!

Just you wait! The shells.

Fire!

Where did you come from? What are you doing here?

I've been here all the time.

Get the hell out of here! You hear me? Go to hell!

You shouldn't swear Like that, Lieutenant!

Lieutenant, my dear!

- Get me Khokhlov! - Number 21 on the Line!

Khokhlov, cover Cherepanov!

Attack, get him out of the field of operations! He must not turn!

The Commander-in-Chief!

The tanks broke through to the north bank.

The Germans have thrown fresh forces on our Left flank.

The situation is really bad on the flanks of our division.

I've thrown in the Last reserve, Khokhlov's armored battalion.

Well, the decision is made, Deyev.

Every regiment is to fight to the Last shell.

The essential thing is to paralyze the enemy and destroy the tanks.

No right to withdraw, is that clear?

For everyone, with no exception.

The Only cause for abandoning a position may be death.

Call from the Commander of the front. For you, Comrade Commander.

- Is that clear, Colonel? - Very clear.

Well, if it's clear, go and do your job.

God of war!

Aim for the bridge! And blow it to hell!

- Our guns are battering it already. - I Only believe what I see.

If tanks are crossing it, then the bridge is there. Call two Katyushas.

- That's risky. - Take the risk.

- In 20 minutes, no bridge! - Right!

Tanya.

Tanya.

Tanya.

Thank God you're alive, Lieutenant.

Tanya.

I beg you, get out of here.

And I'm going back to the gun.

Ah, a self-propelled gun!

Why don't you do something? Don't you see?

Tanya, I order you to go to the shelter! Do you hear me?

I'm going to Chubarikov. Maybe someone's still alive there.

There's Ukhanov!

Halt, Kuznetsov! Where're you going? Go back to your gun now!

Put your gun away. Don't you see a self-propelled gun behind the tanks?

This gun's disabled. I got to go to Ukhanov.

Wait! Are you getting panicky?

- Where're anti-tank grenades? - We still got Ukhanov's gun.

Do you expect me to sit and wait? Give me the grenades!

Here are the grenades.

ALL right, Sergunenkov...

You know what's to be done.

- How's that? - 2 grenades and the bastard's had it!

Look, commander, it's a hundred yards in the open.

You must, Sergunenkov. One big leap forward.

Sergunenkov, crawl real low. Flat on the ground.

Comrade Lieutenant, Please,

if anything, tell my mother that I was reported missing.

I'm all she's got.

- Get going, Sergunenkov! - Right away, Comrade Commander.

Rubin, you keep on torturing horses and Ill find you in hell!

So Long now.

Why is he so slow...

A quick Leap forward!

You should've sent me, Comrade Lieutenant.

I've already Lived enough.

That poor kid! Got himself killed Like that!

He panicked. Couldn't make it!

You saw him get up! Why did he do it?

I'm through... It was all your fault!

- What did you say? - You go now! Will you?

Of course I will!

What are you doing, guys?

Ukhanov went silent.

It's the self-propelled gun...

Give me a grenade. Where's the grenade?

Stop, Drozdovsky! Wait!

Kuznetsov! Kuznetsov!

A good shot, Comrade Lieutenant! The bull's-eye!

And what's the matter with you, Rubin?

- Are you wounded? - Just shook up.

Rubin, take him off there!

No, Let him stay. Nobody invited him here.

Rubin, come with me.

Kuznetsov, go to Ukhanov!

Ukhanov!

The gun's all right. Ran out of shells, damn it!

I've sent some men out.

You're alive!

I'm sure glad you're alive!

Yeah, me too.

Put your cap on, you might catch cold.

I Lost it when I got buried back there.

What's that in your hand then?

The Germans are attacking the North flank of the army

with massive air support.

There's heavy fighting taking place along our first Line of defense.

The HQ reserves tank corps hasn't yet arrived at the mustering area.

- When are you coming here? - You’ll have to wait.

Our assumptions are confirmed now.

Deyev's division will bear the brunt of the attack.

Wouldn't it be more prudent for you to move to Army Observation Post?

As soon as I think it necessary.

I want you to take full responsibility for the Left flank.

Counterattack on the north wing.

Cherepanov, I told you

to Let the tanks come through and to stay on your positions.

If you retreat 1 millimeter, you may as well blow your brains.

I know they're encircling you. So what?

You've got all of the artillery!

So hold your ground even...

even if you have to die on the spot!

Cherepanov! Cherepanov!

Comrade Commander, may I speak to you?

I know everything, Colonel. What can you add?

Cherepanov's regiment, two artillery divisions

and Khokhlovís tanks are encircled but still fighting.

They'll soon run out of ammunition.

German tanks attacked Cherepanov's command post.

Cherepanov's wounded, there's no radio Link with him.

I'm afraid that Cherepanov's unit can't hold out one more hour.

Could you give me support by your tank destroyer reserve?

Button your shirt, Colonel.

- What? - Go and button up.

For everyone to see that you're in command of the division.

Pyotr Alexandrovich, I understand how Deyev feels.

Cherepanov's situation is catastrophic.

The Germans give no sign of relenting.

Put on your glasses. Crawling on the riverbank are machine gunners.

You won't even see your death, getting so emotional.

I get emotional for good reason.

There're men dying and we're unable to help them.

- They're soldiers. - You forget they're human beings too.

It's something I have no right to remember.

Otherwise Ill start thinking about their mothers, fathers and children,

waiting for these men.

Then It’ll be too hard to send those men to their death, Vitaly Isayevich.

And yet we must do it.

Maybe it's time to bring out our reserves?

No, not yet.

We have to Let their tanks through, and then we strike.

Hold the reserves as Long as we can.

Without them we don't exist.

Sounds Like one of our guns?

Though it should have been destroyed Long ago.

Yes, I do remember that they're not Only soldiers.

And I'd Like to think that they know the reason for their sacrifice.

They've got to hold for at least another hour.

Ukhanov, come here.

Who's that? Oh, the commander.

No more shells, gun's intact. I've got four men.

I've got four, too. Two infantry men joined us.

- Where's Tanya? - In the shelter with the wounded.

- What do we do now? - Fight.

With what? Bayonets?

That'll scare them real hard!

What, Ukhanov, you afraid of dying?

Why the hell should I die? I can't Let my mother down.

Our orders were to fight to death. Those orders haven't been canceled.

Nothing can be simpler. Ordered to die, so weíll die.

The bastards are having their fun.

I'd Love to take him out, but we can't make any noise.

Maybe after it's dark we'd try to break through to our positions?

- And what about the wounded? - That's right.

We got to get some ammunition.

There must be some Left in Davlatyanís positions.

Avoid engagement, Only if absolutely necessary.

See to it that the wounded get weapons.

- Yes. - Very clear.

Ill go to observation.

Comrade Commander-in-Chief,

Cherepanov has been killed.

Two regiments are fighting completely encircled and out of ammunition.

They've Lost touch with us.

I must have support. The division is getting massacred.

Do your duty, Colonel.

The men already have done their duty, Comrade Commander.

Khokhlovís been killed. Cherepanov's killed.

Our Only duty, Colonel, is to stop the German offensive.

- Then I ask your permission... - To do what?

Permission to Leave the division's observation post for an hour

to go to Cherepanov's positions and make my decision right there.

Ill blast through with some machine gunners and I'm there in no time.

You’ll blast through with some machine gunners?

I was a regiment commander on the Bryansk front.

How old are you, Colonel?

Twenty-eight, Comrade Commander.

I want you to Live to be 29.

Now go and do your duty as a division commander,

not a regiment commander.

Right.

You could be more tactful.

When the content's the same, why Look for a different form to express it?

It's on us that the success of this operation depends, and a lot more.

- We can't ease up. - Ease up what?

The men aren't sleeping, they're freezing.

Their courage is really above and beyond any duty.

They do more than a human being is capable of.

Why are you so unfair, tough and merciless toward them?

You may justify yourself to the living, but what about the dead?

I'm thinking of the Living! I thought that was clear.

It happens to be my duty, Comrade Military Councilor!

I command the army, I've got to wait until they've given all they have.

- I'd say they have done that. - No, not yet.

- Comrade Military Councilor. - Osin?

What are you doing here? Are you wounded?

Just a scratch.

- How did you get here? - From the northwest.

It's the Only road that's still open.

You shouldn't have risked it.

Comrade Divisional Commissar.

I don't want to disturb the Commander. May I speak to you a minute?

What is it?

Comrade Military Councilor,

given the situation, you and General Bessonov

should move to Army Observation Post at once.

You want us to Leave now? What's that nonsense?

Your security and also the Commander- in-Chief's is my responsibility.

I'm a bit worried too, but Bessonov is not one

to take an unnecessary risk.

The division is doomed. You said so yourself.

What did I say?

Stop it, Colonel.

I'm Only saying this for reasons of safety. You never know.

So you're worried, aren't you, Comrade Osin?

I'm Only doing my duty. Please don't misinterpret me.

Having done your duty, Leave this observation post now!

Ah, Vitaly Isayevich.

It's time for our tank corps to act. The Germans show signs of fatigue.

As soon as they slow down, weíll hammer them.

Here are my orders. Ill stay here.

General Yatsenko will be at HQ. You go to the tank corps.

You must see to it that they strike a blow with everything they've got.

I will see to it. Ill Leave right away.

Put me through to the commander of the front.

Colonel Osin, I'm going with you!

I'm glad, Comrade Division Commissar.

- What about the General? - Let's go.

- Gennady, take care of him. - Don't worry.

Go on, step on it! Follow Titkov, he knows the way.

Weíll be all right. Only 3 kilometers rough going.

- Weíll get through! - I hope so.

Tanks! Germans in front of us!

What are you talking about? Those are our T-Thirty-fours!

Go ahead!

Stop! Turn around! Hurry! Go downhill, to the village!

Get back! Get back!

Hurry! Hurry!

Hurry, Comrade Division Commissar!

They're surrounding the village from the Left.

Get behind that house. Weíll cover you.

Osin, that's no way out.

- You don't understand... - I do. We're going to fight here.

Titkov! Titkov, you're...

Comrade Division Commissar, did they hit you?

Where are you wounded?

So soon?..

Titkov, how's the Commissar? Drag him out even if he's dead!

You hear that?

It means they broke through. Germans never sing for no reason.

Near Stalingrad they're encircled, and here we're caught in their trap.

Their machine gunners will comb this place in the morning.

- What do we do, Sergeant? - Will you keep quiet, sailor?

I've got some ammo!

How much?

- Three cases. - Take it back there.

Ill go Look for the Lieutenant.

- Lieutenant! - That's you, Ukhanov?

I met him just this morning. Seryoga from Taganrog.

He invited me to have a drink.

- There's some in there. - Forget it, Ukhanov.

Today he gets it, tomorrow it's us. Dead men don't need vodka.

Anyhow we're all in the same mess.

- What are the Krauts doing? - Sounds Like a funeral team.

Gathering their dead. Shall I fire?

It's useless. You think the war's over?

Soon you’ll be saving every bullet.

So Tanya's here, too!

Thank God you're here! I've been waiting for you.

And where's Rubin? Golovanov?

Golovanov's at observation. And Rubin... can I wait for him here?

Nechayev, spread the tarpaulin.

We're having a ball!

Vanya, go fetch some water.

I'm Vasya, not Vanya.

What difference does it make? Move it.

Tanya, don't go yet. It's no fun without you.

What? Not pretty?

I don't Look pretty?

We had a nurse in our company, named Klava.

She was beautiful, too.

Look at our pop. What a trophy he brought!

I don't want you to die on an empty stomach.

That's what I call a peasant's knack!

Here, a guitar for you.

Well, well...

I got to go, boys.

- So I'm going, boys. - Wait.

Take it.

For you and the wounded.

Thank you.

Well, I'm going.

Go on.

- See you tomorrow, boys. - See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

For Golovanov and Chibisov.

- Let's pass it around. - We should call Golovanov.

He's not a Little boy, he’ll know.

You first, Lieutenant.

To our victory!

Happy to see you alive.

Me too.

To our meeting.

My name is Mitya. Mitya Tarasenko.

I'm from Zaporozhye. A city on the Dnieper, I guess you know.

Me too... It's a pleasure to have met you all.

As for me...

if it's in the cards that we have to...

I'd Like to ask God to grant me one thing before I go...

I want to kiss a woman.

Why don't you say something, pop?

One thinks about horses before he dies.

This one talks about women.

Are you playing some games, guys?

I guess Life hasn't given you a real knock, Rubin.

It has, don't you worry!

This war has knocked over my whole Life with just one stroke.

Now I'm all alone in this world!

I see.

I'd Love to get a Little sleep.

I wish they'd start shooting. It's too quiet to sleep.

Ukhanov, ever been to the Crimea?

- Never had time. - Neither have I.

The Krauts are there now getting drunk on our wine.

When the war's over, weíll all go to the Crimea.

When the war's over, I guess Life will be so beautiful!

You're just kids.

You know in advance everything that's going to happen, and why.

So many working people have been slaughtered.

So much has been destroyed everywhere.

And all the orphans. Who’ll feed the orphans, huh?

Those who Live through the war will have to Live for others, just must to.

And do it in a spirit of true comradeship.

Otherwise It’ll Look Like a betrayal. Am I right?

That's right.

Chibisov should be relieved.

Just Leave the old man alone.

What are we doing, eh?

Waiting to die.

Take your harmonica, Gennady, and play us a tune.

Go on!

Play a tune, Nechayev.

Go ahead, Ghena.

We're alive and that's it! Play a tune!

To your posts!

What is it, Chibisov?

I killed him. Shot him dead!

I fired, but the Krauts were shooting, too.

You fired at what?

He was crawling, I asked him, "Who are you?"

He shouted, "I'm Russian!" But how was I to know? I fired.

I never dreamed I'd hit him. And I've shot him dead.

Oh, my God, here he is!

Seems to be alive.

Can you hear me, boy?

What's going on? Who fired?

False alarm, Lieutenant. Pop here gave us a fright.

Looks Like one of ours. He was crawling towards the gun.

Who are you? Where're you from?

- Who are you? - We need the nurse, commander.

- Rubin, go and get the nurse. - Right.

Are you able to talk?

Can you talk?

Georgiyev...

Where's Georgiyev? He set out in the morning...

Georgiyev? A scout?

He came here this morning. Are you a scout, too?

The guy's frozen. Let's give him some vodka.

Over there... in a shell hole... a 100 yards away...

a German... someone important.

- It's clear. - As daylight.

Listen. Weíll split up in groups.

Kuznetsov, take two men. Ill join you later.

Why risk everybody's Life?

Keep your advice to yourself. Get your commission first.

I'm mum.

Ukhanov, Rubin, come with me.

Where's the wounded man, dears?

Wait a minute. Ill take care of you.

Over here!

Hey, soldier, it's us, friends!

Let go, will you.

The Germa... the German...

Why make such a fuss about him?

The Kraut's alive. It's our guy who's had it.

Looks Like a big shot, this Kraut. And sounds Like he's swearing.

This one's alive.

As soon as it gets quieter, everybody back to the gun!

Why'd you come here? Only made a Lot of noise.

I'm responsible for the battery and for your Life, too.

Ill worry about my Life myself.

Golovanov! Yelagina! Follow me! Ukhanov, take the prisoner!

You take care of the scout. Kuznetsov, Rubin, you’ll bring up the rear!

Come on, Let's go!

Is the German alive?

He's alive, but we ran into the gravedigger squad!

Don't shoot, weíll get spotted! Get behind the tanks, quick!

Get moving!

Run!

Golovanov!

Tanya... what's wrong?

Tanya.

Tanya...

What's wrong, Tanya?

Are you wounded?

She doesn't answer.

Her cap.

Her cap, quick! Do you want her to freeze?

What?

Tanya... I need a bandage. Where's Tanya?

Drozdovsky. Can you hear me? Are you wounded?

- Leave me alone! - Drozdovsky!

Why did you have to bring her here?

What?

Where's Tanya?

Where's Tanya?!

Take the wounded man. Get to the tanks, move!

Ukhanov!

Ukhanov!

Turn away.

Don't Look, I said!

ALL because of that bastard! That dirty bastard!

He's unarmed, Commander!

That Kraut has made it!

Get hold of yourself!

Shoot the German!

Battery, open fire! And no retreating!

Pull yourself together, Commander!

Ukhanov.

I feel terrible, Ukhanov.

Tell me what to do, Ukhanov.

Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.

Is that you, Kolya? How glad am I to see you!

You can't imagine how glad I am!

I lie and wait here. It's terrible. Why didn't you come sooner?

I couldn't. Feel a Little better, Goga?

Better, sure. I'm going to pull through now.

Too bad I can't get up. That damn shell fragment.

I was so unlucky.

How many tanks have you shot up? Two? Three? Tell me how it was.

I don't know. Didn't count them.

I wanted so much to hit at Least one of their tanks.

Why don't I ever have any luck?

The war's not over yet, Goga.

You’ll get out of the hospital and they all will be yours.

You leaving already?

Have to get to the gun.

Ill be waiting for you, Kolya. I can't wait to get to the hospital.

And send Tanya over here.

Ill come back soon.

Chibisov! Svyatov! Help them here.

Weíll hospitalize everybody tomorrow. Hold on, it won't be too Long.

What?

What, bastards?

I'm still alive!

I hate you! I hate you!

- Comrade Commander-in-Chief. - Yes, I'm Listening.

An hour and a half ago our scout was brought to Command Post

along with a prisoner captured yesterday.

What did the prisoner have to say?

According to him, the 17th tank division is in action as of yesterday,

the reserve group of the "Don" army.

So, as we had supposed, Manstein has been forced

to put his Last reserves in.

Weíll strike tomorrow at dawn.

Comrade Commander-in-Chief!

Comrade Commander...

I'm Listening. Go on, report, Bozhichko.

It's Vesnin.

Oh, no! Where?

Major Titkov has just come to the command post.

He reported that the Military Councilor...

Speak up! Wounded or dead?

I'm asking you! Wounded or dead?

Have you gone dumb? Was he killed?

Yes, Comrade Commander.

They ran into German tanks.

We're ready to begin, Comrade Commander.

To think we could not save a man Like him!

ALL right, Colonel, I'm Listening now.

Comrade General, the reserve armor has been deployed on the right flank.

The Commander-in-Chief.

Comrade General, the northern half of the village has been cleaned out.

That's my boys! They did the work!

They're still fighting!

What is that gun?

The gun that was still firing yesterday.

The battery where we were. In the village.

I'd Like to go down the positions myself.

Listen, Bozhichko.

Bring the decorations, all we've got.

- You come with me, Colonel. - Yes.

Comrade General, need a German Colonel?

- Who's this Colonel? - He's real tough. Swears in German.

- Why haven't you delivered him sooner? - Can't always pick your own time.

Hey, men!

Your field kitchen!

Come and get it!

Come on, guys...

Your field kitchen's here!

Chow time, fellas!

Only the dead, Comrade General.

There's nobody here either.

There has to be. The gun was firing!

There're no survivors, Comrade General.

Your field kitchen, men! I brought the field kitchen, Comrade General.

Biscuits and vodka for everyone, but... there's nobody.

I'm sorry.

There has to be. There has to be at Least one!

There are survivors, Comrade Commander! There're many of them!

Never mind the report. I can see for myself, commander.

Was it you back in the village?

Yes, me, Comrade General.

The most important thing was to hit their tanks.

To destroy them.

That was your mission.

Bozhichko.

Give me 7 Orders of the Red Banner.

Thank you for destroying their tanks.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I wish I could do more.

Thank you.

I wish I could do more.

That's all I can do personally.

Thank you.

Hey, fellas!

It's me, field kitchen. I got stuff for you, guys.

Where the hell have you been?

It's for the whole battery. There's bread, canned meat and vodka.

Comrade Commander, what do I do with all the extra rations?

Give them to the wounded.

Right, I just found them, they're down in the shelter.

Right away, fellas.

Well, pals?

We have to drink to our decorations, right?

Where's the mess tin?

What's the way to drink to decorations? Like this?

Where're you going, Commander?

- Ill be right back. - Leave him alone.

I can't.

Drink to our survival!

Drink to the way our boys beat the Krauts!

Like hell they got anything!

To our victory, guys!

Drink, Lieutenant!

The End