Original subtitles

How's your wife?

Start the car.

Drive.

ATOAST TO MANNERHEIM'S OFFICERS

PETROZAVODSK IS SEIZED ON OCTOBER 1, 1941,

AND IS RENAMED AANISLINNA.

SOME OF THE FINNISH TROOPS STAY IN THE CITY,

BUT OTHERS CONTINUE THE ATTACK.

MANY OF THEM BELIEVE THE WAR IS GOING TO END SOON.

Which one do you prefer, reverend?

I'll take this one.

I also have canned food from America.

- No, thanks. - Maybe next time?

- Did the girl please you? - She did.

Attention!

At ease.

I'm here to remind you about some rules regarding barracks duty.

Perfect cleanliness and orderliness will be maintained.

Every article of barracks regulations is in effect.

NCOs will bunk in NCO quarters.

You will ensure good order at all times.

That ain't gonna work for me.

There's no separating Susi and me.

I'll be bunking with him, or he can bunk in the noncom quarters.

Keep your mouth shut. You'll go where you're ordered.

- Is that clear? - Don't you start with me.

You know what'll happen if you test me.

You think I'm gonna start brownnosing you like the recruits?

Attention!

At ease.

- Corporal Rokka. - What's the matter?

You'll bunk in the NCO quarters. Is that clear?

We'll see about that. I ain't gonna argue about it.

But when are we gonna start getting leaves?

I have a family waiting back home. Will you sign the form for me?

You and I are not on a first-name basis.

But we could be.

You can call me Antti.

I'll talk to you as I would to any younger man.

Attention!

I hereby discipline Corporal Rokka for insubordination.

The punishment will be four days' labor.

Corporal Rokka will take on four extra shifts.

At ease.

Company!

Dismissed!

Any idea what I got punished for during the Winter War?

- Discipline... - There'll be discipline for sure.

Listen, Lieut, why don't we go our separate ways.

Looks to me like we ain't a good match.

In Heaven the Lord shall end all of our suffering

And all of our sorrows, too

I love you.

Stay the night.

The children are still so young.

Raili. Seems you stayed with him pretty late.

Dare I ask how it went'?

Was he that bad?

No, he wasn't.

He's not the love of my life.

- Company, prepare to move out! - We're not going anywhere.

Get up!

For the last time. Get ready.

Koskela for company commander!

Koskela for company commander! Then we'll move.

This isn't the Red Guard. We don't choose commanders by ballot.

- Is that clear? - No.

This is your last chance to obey. Then I'll use other measures.

You should probably hurry up.

Don't pack anything unnecessary.

Musical instruments are nice, though.

I guess we can take them.

- Where are they taking us? - To the front line.

- Shit. - Why can't we stay?

- Hurry up. - To the goddamn front line...

- Move it! - Hurry up.

Phew, I made it.

Private Korhonen and private Peltola,

on the 3rd of this month, in the vicinity of the enemy,

refused to obey an order of their superior officer.

By the order of a court-martial, privates Korhonen and Peltola

have been sentenced to death.

Load!

Aim!

Fire!

Right.

This sentence was imposed to impress upon all ranks

that there is no room in the army for insubordination.

I hope, and I believe,

that announcing such things in this battalion is unnecessary.

SVIR REGION JANUARY 1942

A bullet in the head would be better than this.

Grown men dragging a goddamn sled

all over the forest.

The brass need their money and glory,

and jewels and furs for their tramps.

And we're here killing people for that.

"Shoot 'em if they disobey orders,"

"and refuse to defend my country and my riches."

"Up against the wall with 'em."

If I could choose, I'd put 'em all in a loony bin.

And those pretty speeches of theirs. "Home, Religion and Fatherland."

I've got no home, the company owns the rooms.

I've left the Church and own zero acres of land.

And defend the old folks, huh?

Goddammit!

The only one alive's my mother.

If the Russkies want that old crone, let 'em have her.

Pull it, goddammit!

- I don't see you sweating. - I'm not trying to break a sweat.

Just trying to keep the sled moving.

Alert. Enemy sighted.

Alert.

What do you see?

What do you think? Who could it be?

This is it.

If we've gotta make a run for it, the machine gun comes with us.

I'll take the tripod.

See you in hell.

Hold your positions! Who the hell gave you permission to retreat?

- Everybody's running. Let's go! - Get back in line!

Sihvonen, get back!

- Didn't you hear the command? - I'll boost your morale!

Go help. I'll hold 'em off.

Pull him! Pull! Pull!

- Lahtinen! - Leave the machine gun!

Fuck!

Stop!

Damn gutless sheep! Leaving the wounded behind!

Where's Lahtinen and the machine gun?

Lying back there, side by side.

This man did everything he could.

- It wasn't his fault. - I'm not looking for fault.

I'm looking for the machine gun and Lahtinen.

Let's set up the line. They'll be here soon.

Listen, Lieut.

If you need a real top-notch fella, you're lookin' at him.

Secure the left flank and keep an eye on the situation.

Fine.

Sihvonen, you're with me. Susi, give him your skis.

My boots are like goddamn icicles.

I'm damn fun company, don't you think'?

Well, well, that's one hell of a plot.

They're trying to flank us. I knew it.

C'mon, will ya?

What's taking you so long?

There are full magazines in the pack.

Every time I empty one, you fill it.

Don't mix the full ones with the empty ones.

Be calm. Like me.

We've got nothin' to worry about.

It's them who need to worry.

If you can sing, hum to yourself. Keeps the mind light.

Think about whatever silly things you like.

They're useful at a time like this.

It's a mental strategy.

The officer in front.

When his shadow hits that tree, the reaper's coming to get him.

I've decided so. And then the others get it.

You don't know what's in store for you.

You're gonna see how the Lord brings 'em home.

If these boys have sinned against you,

Old Man in Heaven, forgive 'em.

But hurry up! They'll be comin' right about now.

- Where are you going? - Nowhere.

Get back then. Magazines need filling.

That son of a bitch behind the spruce!

You can't fool Antti Rokka!

Fuck!

Fuck you all!

Dad's home!

Daddy! Daddy!

Oh my. How are you? I'll be home for a week.

At last!

You smell bad, old man.

- Daddy, don't go back to war. - It's good you're home.

The horse needs to be shoed, and we have to get firewood.

- I'll get the wood. - Let's go inside.

Snap out of it, you.

Dad, we're making a Greater Finland.

Is that so? What do you have here?

Do they really need an old man like you on the front?

It's next to the field kitchen. On the pondside.

- It's tough, but I'll make it. - Who's on guard?

- Sipilé. - Sipilé?

- He won't be a problem. - I'll be alright.

JUNE 4, 1942

Marshal Mannerheim's 75th birthday turned out to be the most splendid

and unforgettable celebration in Finland's history.

The highlight of the celebration was the visit

of the leader of the Greater Germanic Reich, Adolf Hitler.

He congratulated Mannerheim personally

and on behalf of his country.

Here you are.

- Cut cognac. - Cut!

- Mannerheim's cut cognac. - Cheers!

- A toast to good luck. - To good luck!

This isn't going to get me drunk. Bring out the boy.

Here we go. Sugar wine.

Sugar wine.

Ville. I'm not one of your best men,

but I've done a man's job, haven't I?

- You're tough men. - I'm going to the village.

To the other side of the river?

There are women doing roadwork. What do you say, boss?

Come and go as you please. But we move out tomorrow.

Do what you do, it's none of my business.

As long as you've done your duty, you can kick off.

- Keep that in mind and you can go. - I'll be back in time if I'm alive.

Why are you taking a blanket?

Why do you think? No one wants to do it on the bare ground.

He's gonna get lucky. And sail through the war without a scratch.

- He's so crooked bullets miss him. - Listen.

No offense,

but Rahikainen really hasn't put himself in the line of fire.

I don't know about that, but every man is scared of death.

There is no such man who's not afraid of death.

Dance, Hietanen. I'll hold your cup. Dance, trench doll.

The poor Finns They break their chains

The cup of their sufferings runneth over

Communist songs, for Christ's sake!

Let him sing.

They raise an army The best of a noble people

The poor Finns They break their chains

The cup of their sufferings runneth over...

Boys! I'm an airplane!

From Soviet Union... Boys...

Your airplane is falling!

- Where are you going, Koskela? - To Jerusalem.

Mielonen!

Mielonen, bloody hell. What are you? A bouncer?

It's a beautiful death when you die a hero before your men

Fighting for your country and your tribe

Defending your home land with fire in your heart

Gladly put your life on the line for your children

A young man has to die

When he still has fragrant flowers in his hair

Women will remember him as handsome, men as brave

He's beautiful when he fights

He's beautiful when he dies

A toast to Mannerheim's officers.

Gentlemen.

Let us follow without wavering where the Marshal's sword shall lead us.

Ville! The old fellow himself.

Zdravstvuy.

Siberia, bolshoi, taiga. Dobra huya.

- Who's speaking Russian here? - Koskela from Finland.

I eat iron and shit chains.

- You have something against me? - Union Sovyet sosialist... Tis...

I speak Finnish.

And I think it's best you stick to it too.

Stick... Stick... Boomstick...

...a bear hunter.

Squeak, creak, crunch

There's snow a bunch

Winter has a blizzard for his locks

And on his feet, gray socks

Bloody hell! I'm shifting into second gear now.

Ville, calm down.

Goddammit! This is not how you dance the tango!

- Bring it on! - Calm down!

I found a sweetheart in Karelia

She's short and sweet

Ville. Ville, calm down.

Ville!

When was the last time you were with a woman?

- Some time ago. - Did ya get any?

- Got a bit of action. - Did you thank her?

No.

Aren't you a curious fella. Always thank when you get something.

Cold. Cold, boys.

Two caskets at a time...

My brothers are gone...

Hot!

- Try to get him to sleep. - An old solo warrior.

Beautiful. Really beautiful.

What have you been drinking?

Sugar wine.

Take command of the half-platoon until Koskela and Hietala...

...Hietanen... sober up.

Somebody sing us a song.

Hi, old solo warrior.

- Put him to bed. - We sure will.

- Try to pull yourselves together. - We'll try.

We got home...

Good mornin'.

Tastes like someone ate cat shit with my mouth.

Goddamn... You had piss-ants there or what?

The boys found it on the trail.

It's dented.

Méikiléi...

Gimme a couple of salty herrings. I'm so damn hungry.

Go drink more sugar wine. That'll cure the hangover.

First you drink, make a whole lotta noise and fight,

and then you come here asking for salt.

I hear you. I know your job ain't easy.

Just a couple, please?

Don't show it to the others. Keep this to yourself.

And you better not come asking for anything more.

This'll keep my stomach full till Christmas. Thanks.

I'll figure out some way to make this up to you.

Thanks a lot.

You alright, boys?

Dammit, we're in hot water here.

- Are you alright? - Yeah.

What's up, old man?

Go home. And don't show your face here again.

Is this Lieutenant Koskela's bunker?

Yes, it is.

- Sir, are you Lieutenant Koskela? - Yes.

- Sir, permission to speak? - Sure.

Sir, Private Honkajoki A. A1 .

The first A stands for my first name Aarne.

A1 is my fitness rating.

Reporting for duty as a reinforcement for your platoon, sir.

Served previously

in 50th Infantry Regiment's machine gun company.

Wounded. Released from army hospital. Ordered here.

Reporting again for military duty,

having firmly vowed to sacrifice not only my own blood

but also the blood injected into me at the hospital

to preserve the freedom of the Fatherland.

Well, then, welcome. The last two to Second Half-Platoon.

Rahikainen, take them.

Guess you don't put much faith in other folks' weapons.

Considering the rapid development of weaponry in modern warfare,

I decided it was necessary to adopt new weapons.

- What line of work are you in? - My profession, sir, is forestry.

More specifically, gathering pinecones.

I invent things. Next on my list is a perpetual motion machine.

- That's impossible. - I see. Maybe I'll rest a bit, then.

All right. Name and age?

Private Hauhia. Sir. I just turned nineteen, sir.

Rokka, take the boy with you on your next shift and show him the ropes.

Sure.

Any questions?

No, Lieutenant sir.

You don't have to call me "sir."

The other officers are a different thing.

Yes, sir.

Well then. It'll all work out.

I've been in an air raid,

though, of course, that's nothing next to real war.

It's as real a war as any other.

- Here's the latrine. - Are those fliers?

Yep. Russkies even give us toilet paper.

- How many men have you lost? - Each day somebody kicks the bucket.

- Now go! - Come.

I'll teach you to fight a war.

Never go out alone. Remember that.

Don't believe the lies of your officers!

These are riflemen's nests.

That's their sentry. Hey, see anything?

Your officers are your mortal enemies!

Don't read on guard duty, even though Ukkola does.

Get this one through your skull:

never raise your head out of the trench!

Almost everybody who died here kept their head up a second too long.

Use the periscope.

You see?

Kill your fascist officers and come over here!

We killed them ages ago!

We're killing socialist officers now.

Sons of Finland, come get bread!

Come get butter for your bread!

He does that day and night.

Worker-soldiers of Finland! You're shedding your blood

while the Germans rape your wives and sisters!

Yeah, and the youngest men's moms are getting some too,

the horny ones!

- Stop yellin' at them. - They started it.

There are 14 fallen men. Memorize their locations.

You don't want to confuse the dead with the living if they attack.

Come take a look.

Like that. That's it.

Remember to keep your head down.

That's it.

If they attack, pull this cord. It goes to the dugout.

- Remember to keep your head down. - Yes.

What's it like to shoot a man?

I don't know. I only shoot the enemy.

- Aren't they people, too? - Nope. Oh, I don't know.

Wise men say the enemy ain't no person.

I don't think about things like that.

I just shoot and work on my rings. You do the same.

- We have a damn fine machine gun. - We have the same.

But our guns have killed the most men.

Rokka told me he might take me on a patrol with him.

But hey, it's my guard duty now.

Don't go thinking you're safe even though it might get quiet.

- Understand? - Yes.

Just remember what I told you.

We ended up battling a battle

Where the bullets sing

When we left, we didn't know

Whom of us would return home

Alarm!

- Salo and Sihvonen, take the boy. - Alright.

We can't say he didn't know.

He was instructed.

"And suddenly there was with the angel,"

"a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,"

"Glory to God in the highest,"

"and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Merry Christmas, soldiers!

Merry Christmas, Major!

Earth so beautiful

Heavens so clear

Beautiful is the pilgrimage of the soul

Singing we journey

Through the world

Towards Heaven, our journey's goal

Time flies so

Years pass by

Generations of men

Remembered no more

Heavenly melody

Song of the souls

Ever so pure

So, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

"Life is short, for each the same.“

"Let us burn with blazing flames."

"In the fire let us rise high!"

"Earth remains."

"Our souls to the heavens they rise."

Soldiers! Don't believe the lies of your officers!

Your officers are your biggest enemies!