Original subtitles

The film was filmed according to true events.

Some stories have been invented. Any matching is not accidental.

The coast of the Halkin Gol River, 1939

A 20mm anti-tank gun, ever seen one? Like a hot knife through butter.

They also have 37mm guns... Holes this big!

The size of your head.

I saw one around here somewhere.

I do not understand, that's what you do as an excuse?

I'm not here to justify myself, commander.

- I'm not saying I'm blameless. - Really?

That's right.

I sent soldiers in battle, with a shield that is only for parades.

In doing so, voluntarily.

I'm afraid with discipline like that, you won't be in the fight for long.

I don't know about myself...

There are many more wars ahead for the Red Army.

Probably.

Sure!

Tanks are needed for victory.

It's real.

The kind that fire can't melt.

Shipping experimental prototype tanks,

for the commission in Moscow is forbidden!

KHARKIV, FACTORY No.183, 1940

I repeat myself once again: cancel the burden, Mikhal Ilych!

What did you expect?

I told you right away, without testing it will not let the tanks go for a parade.

Well, if we're not allowed to load them, then we won't.

No big deal...

- Turn off the engine! - We're not allowed to load them onto the wagons.

STOP. That's what it says, doesn't say we can't drive them there ourselves...

So, let's go!

- ...Moscow is a 1000 km away! - You can't be serious!

- And vice versa and there are no 1000 km! - Do not fret!

- So please, stop it. - Stop what?

- We'll just make the way! - I'm with you.

Where are you going with him? Go to work, Kataeva!

No one's gonna go anywhere!

Kharkhiv... Moscow...

- Almost 800km. - Right,

but it are tanks, we could cut a few corners.

1.5 tons of diesel per tank, minimum.

Additional tanks will come.

Plus, we'll take one ZIS truck packed full of fuel.

You'll pass through Kursk, Orel and Tula...

- So I guess we can arrange refuelling. - Suppose this works...

- Better to assume it won't work. - Come on, Nikolaje Aleksejevi...

- how many days do you plan to do? - The trip rather plans itself...

The parade is on the 17th... we have to be there in time.

One day of preparation, 7 days travel.

Including stops and repairs. Slowly, 200 km a day.

This way, it does not sound bad.

Or, if not surprises.

Plus, this is a minimum field test.

We definitely need it. That's right, all the plus.

The opportunity to drive and demonstrate the possibility of a new Soviet technique.

What's funny? Covering such a distance under their own steam.

What other tank could match such a feat? Not to mention one with armor as heavy.

Yes, but we don't even know if our tank is capable of that.

You know it can as well as I do, San Sanych, come on now...

We'll make it to the parade as promised! And where are the minuses?

There is nothing to think about.

With all due respect, Mikhail Ilych,

the minus is that, for your own ambitions,

you intend to roll 2 top-secret tanks

half-way across the country,

putting at risk not only the People's resources investment,

but also state security.

Without an order from above my department will never approve.

As far as ambition is concerned, Pyotr Andreevich,

You're right.

And you're right about the orders, too.

Entirely by themselves? By highway?

How? Off-road?

Plain?

They can do that?

Yes, I am aware that they're tanks.

I agree.

Yes, it would be impressive, but it's risky, to be honest.

Good, Mikhal Ilych, let's proceed as follows...

You can consider my approval granted.

Warning of supreme leadership, but no one else.

Prototypes are secret, so your mission is also secret!

Try to avoid any surprises.

Just don't let me down, the 17th, I'm waiting.

Thank you, Comrade Zhukov.

Let's agree right now, Mikhal Ilych.

First, I'll go with you.

Pointless to discuss it. That's not my decision.

An NKVD officer is madatory for the operation.

- I agree. - Secondly, you have command,

but I have the authority to halt the operation, at any incident

or any deviation from the plan. Clear?

Piotr Andreevich. You're acting like you don't know me at all.

- It cares for me. - Well, no reason.

Take your time off. Bring a book...

and your swimshorts.

Why are you causing trouble, Kataeva? That's just what I need right now!

You're taking the motorist and the engineer.

Wouldn't get far without them.

They contributed with around 5 tons, everything else is armor.

- Let's not argue. - I fuse that steel day...

and night, always testing it. Who'll tell Comrade Stalin?

Stalin? About how you fuse?

About the armor, its content and the methods of hardening, about...

The main designer could say and about how you fuse as well.

Mikhal Ilych, I won't get in the way! Please take me with you!

I'm be helpful, I can cook!

There, you can make us pies when we return.

If you were a tank driver, then fine...

Please.

No! No! What's so good about this field test?

Cold, mosquitoes, rattling around for 10 hours a day.

Not good for a young girl.

- Am I here on vacation? - Enough! Talk finished!

You're staying. And dry your eyes.

SAVE EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF WORK!

AUSTRIA

This Russian progress can make us much to do in the future.

- You said they have working prototypes? - That's it, Comrade Colonel!

2 prototypes are being driven from Kharkhiv to Moscow.

- They're being driven there? - That's right!

Give the order to our man in Kharkhiv to gather a guerrilla group immediately

and give him instructions.

Somewhere between Kharkiv and Moscow, these tanks have to disappear.

As you wish, Colonel.

KHARKIV - BELGOROD - KURSK - OREL - TULA - SERPUKHOV - PODOLSK - MOSCOW

Attention, group! That's our target!

Be ready to go on my command.

From this moment, every conversation only in Russian!

Are we just going to crawl along? Let's put our foot down a bit?

- I'd love to, but Vasili would not want. - So outrun him... He isn't in a rush!

Come on, come on.

- What's going on? - I do not know, they're testing.

What kind of testing?

Look at him. Now I want to show you!

They decided to have a race? Right, sound the horn!

Come on, overtake them, Arkady.

So...

No chance, Mikhal Ilych, you won't take me!

That's enough! Stay behind me!

Hold it at this speed!

Who else ?!

Where did you come from?

Arkady Pavlović, this cylinder could blast every moment!

The valve was broken and there was an oily rag on top!

Oh, Lord!

It must be sabotage! Mikhail Ilych...

Kataeva, I'll hand you over for court-martial!

- Do you understand what you did? - Not me, this was done by someone in the hangar.

It was set up to fall, but I caught it.

I wouldn't have knocked on the window, but just couldn't hold it any longer.

- Who did you leave behind in the lab? - Semjonova.

I left him a plan for testing.

Mikhail Ilych! We have to get rid of the cylinder, it's under 140 Kg of pressure.

The valve can not cope! Every moment can explode!

It'd have blown already if not for me!

Shut up, Kataeva!

You decided to ruin the field test? I'll shoot you right here and now.

Comrade Lieutenant, let's not overreact.

Let him shoot me, let me shoot!

First, remove the cylinder from the truck.

Or at least don't forget to do it after.

Throw away the cylinder, Arkady!

That's 40 liters of oxygen, Mikhal Ilych! Just throw it away?

That's it, we're all going back. I asked you, Mikhail Ilyich!

Ok, put it down carefully under a tree. Do not play, Piotr Andreevich.

She has knowingly disrupted an operation vital to the State!

This is a breach! Do you...

do you understand which is the punishment for this?

You already promised to shoot me, no?

You think this is a joke, Kataeva?

That you did not dare to touch me!

Stop! Calm down, calm down!

Pjotre Andrejevi, calm down!

Come on, let's talk in peace, without a dime!

We will make a balanced decision on what to do...

with Kataeva, with the cylinder and then we'll continue on our way.

For now nothing happened.

At least we don't have to worry about the cylinder anymore.

There is no need to decide. We're going back.

- Why this your decision? - Is not that obvious?

This is a sabotage. There's a traitor among us.

We have to find him.

Agreed. And what was the goal...

of this act of sabotage?

Was it not so we'd change our plans?

Without a doubt.

So if we go back now, it means he has achieved this goal.

We do not have any fuels at all.

Foods, spare parts, everything was raised in the air.

Well, the hardware is all still intact, isn't it?

We will fuel along the way.

We won't die of hunger.

Somebody will feed us.

Well?

Here's what we'll do.

We'll leave Kataeva and Arkady here.

Let him go to the nearest place and call to the factory for help.

Agreed.

Are you married, Pjotre Andrejevi?

No.

Is It Important?

Just so, I'm thinking...

Why are you so rough with Kataeva?

Lida!

Lida!

Come here! It's getting dark already!

Lida!

Who would know it?

By caterpillars,

maybe a tractor or some vehicle.

Their lights are on and side a pile of valuable luggage.

More than you can carry.

- Good luggage, huh? - Ah, up to here, yeah! Piled up...

as high as the tree branches. I'm telling you, they stole it.

What if they're military?

What soldiers! They'rе civilian!

There can't be more than 5 of them.

I'm telling you, who on earth would use the swamp and not the road?

- Only thieves, that's who. - Thieves, huh?

They could give you a lesson in how to steal tractor-fulls.

How about we teach them a lesson? Let's get them.

They're acting like it's their backyard.

Ok, get our people together.

We could certainly use some tractors, too.

They're asleep, there's one on watch, we can move in.

2 from the hill, 2 from the road. You with me!

On my command.

Everyone get down.

Get in the tank now! Piotr, get under the armor!

Get it started and let's move.

- We did not pick up things. - So hop out and pick it away.

- We having a pop at these thieves. - Out of the turret...?

Head into the grove.

- They'll stop by themselves! - We're going nowhere.

But Mikhail Ilyich has already set off. We're not going anywhere without my tunic!

- Crush these scumbags! - It would be my pleasure.

No. It looks like we're done.

Get out, sweeties. Let's have a chat...

I am going to. Resign yourselves, Pjotre Andrejevi.

The boss is the one in the lead.

Hey! Come out slowly, ok?

If you're not going to cause any trouble...

we do not hurt your girlfriend.

Hand over the girl and I'll get out.

No dice.

Get out! I'm giving the orders!

And tell your buddy...

to unlock his tractor.

Don't worry, we'll negotiate.

It's a no-brainer, you don't have any other option.

Calm!

Exit.

Right, tie him up.

Cover his head!

Start the engine...

or I'll sh-shoot.

Yes, of course, everything is fine, Georgy Konstantinovich.

Yes, small problems, of course. That's to be expected, of course.

But they'll reach Moscow on time. Well, you know Koshkin.

That's a good news.

When you connect, send them greetings.

Oh yes, and...

tell him I have informed Stalin the tanks will be at the inspection.

All the best.

Well, what did they say?

What's wrong with your eyesight? Do not differentiate tractor from tank?

How the hell was I supposed to know.... Couldn't see a damn thing...

If you can't see, then don't touch!

You'll be able to bring me a bunch of KGB agents!

- A tank is good loot, no? - Where's your head?

You've baited a bear and now it's going to eat you up!

What are we going to do with this loot of yours?

We'll do whatever that is necessary.

Whatever it takes?

They won't leave a stone unturned...

until they get their hands on us.

We need to get rid of them!

Then we will leave.

We will run away to the swamps.

To hide ourselves before the arrival.

Gaffer, there's this... guy that's not from round here.

Says he wants to talk to you.

Let's shoot him?

You said you caught them all.

Of course...

They survive by hunting and thievery.

Wouldn't accept Soviet power, for 20 years they've been hiding in the woods.

Outlaw scum, they're going to kill us.

Why did not they kill us right away?

They were worried they couldn't handle the tanks.

Probably.

They wanted to show off their loot to their leader. But he's not a fool.

He's figured out the Soviet authorities won't give him 2 tanks.

- So maybe he'll let us go? - He won't let us go.

I told you, he's no fool.

I'd promise him we wouldn't tell anyone, but he wouldn't believe it.

I would not tell him the truth about us.

Without truth what faith can there be?

We need to make a run for it.

Why are you waving your purse? Want to find out my price?

The price is what the buyer offers.

In addition, I do not see anyone else.

I don't recall inviting you to my stall.

This isn't a market, quite the opposite.

A quiet life in a quiet spot.

Nobody knows you're here or searches for you. But for the grace of God...

while it lasts, huh?

Are you trying to scare me?

Heaven forbid!

Why do these tanks for you? Do you want to fight?

They are mine.

Are you the owner?

- Now that's enough. - Yes.

If you double that, it will be enough...

For each tank.

Boss, it would be fine not to argue.

It would. So go out, off you go.

Come on. Go sniff out some more cash.

When he found it, come back.

Hurry along now.

Guys, I should have started off by drowning all in the swamp.

Scoot over!

Listen, a buyer has showed up for your tank.

What do you think? Sell them?

- What buyer? - I don't know him.

I wanted to ask you.

He was, you know, throwing his money around.

They're my tanks, he said. Sell them to me or I'll kill you.

Seriously?

Look, he left a deposit.

There you go, Mikhail Ilych. And you think we have little enemies.

- These enemies, who are they? - What would that know. From here...

- Take a guess. - What's the difference?! Are enemies!

These tanks are vital to our country and only an enemy would want them.

I should have drowned you in the swamp yesterday, along with your tanks,

now we're getting screwed because of you today, instead!

Let us go, Ataman! They'll kill all your people.

Let's go to the tanks and we will answer them.

- Don't move! - We'll hit them with the cannons!

How can I trust you?

What choice do you have?!

Fine, we'll just die in here. Makes no difference to us.

Run like the wind to your tanks.

Vasily! Kairat! Move, move, move!

Go without me, I'll be one minute!

Where are you going?

Help me! I'm in here! Help me!

Help!

- Where are we going? - To the beach.

Hit them from the turret gun, in the meantime it has conquered!

We don't have ammunitions!

It certainly wouldn't do any harm right now.

Let's have a look see, shall we, Mikhail Ilych?

Oh, look what I found!

Where the hell did that come from? What did you bring that for?

I thought we'd need to fire a few off to celebrate.

Or for something else.

Well, that just takes the biscuit, Kolya!

Hello? Yes!

How am I supposed to find out, Captain?

Of course, I can hear it.

What?

What can I do?

It's like a real war there.

Mikhail Ilych, roll us forwards I can't get a shot off.

Reinforcements? It would be good!

Understood!

That's enough!

Let me help?

Kataeva, you could have been useful if you stayed in Kharkhiv.

I'll do it myself.

Guys, get out of my sight and take your tanks with you,

before I change my mind!

We won't get far, Ataman. See what happened while we fought for you.

Those killers came for your tanks... So you were fighting for yourselves.

You shouldn't have captured our tanks!

If you hadn't looted us, it'd be fine.

If my men hadn't picked you up, your enemies would have put you in the ground!

So we're in your debt now, is that what you think?

Not yet, but I think you will be soon.

Right then, come with me...

- Should I come with you? Mikhal Ilych? - No need, I don't think... he...

Let him come.

It is not possible!

Open it up.

- I can not believe it. - Be careful!

Where did you get this from?

Tell your friend not to ask questions,

because I'm very curious, too.

Take as much as you need...

to get those tanks of yours as far away from me as you can.

Diesel fuel.

What does the calendar say, Mikhail Ilych, will be make it in time?

We'll make it. If there is no adventures yet.

Why did you break so suddenly?

Why don't you take a look yourselves?

Everybody out, show me your documents!

And get ready to follow me!

We can not follow them.

And in the end everything would be fine, but it'll cost us time.

I suggest the following: we batten down the hatches and go slowly!

They'll start making a racket, then they'll stop.

Then it will calm down, the end result is the same,

but we will not waste time.

You're always drawn to the criminal path, Mikhail Ilych...

I am with you, you do not need to ask.

Besides, we should pass Kataeva to the authorities.

Good day, captain.!

Leiutenant Mizulin, NKVD Counter-intelligence.

I'm accompanying a special convoy.

- Submit your documents! - Sure.

One minute.

Well, on the other hand, driving off is a good option too.

It's logical.

Stop!!!

Captain, what can we do? We'll have to call out the army,

because they don't obey!

Let's go!

It's a simple thing!

How can highly-trained operatives...

fail to deal with 5 civilians?

Not to mention sustaining losses?!

Send in Schultz!

And get the cleaning lady in here!

Great! Prepare a couple of extra spaces. Just in case.

- Around here. - Certainly, General.

Should I label it, or not?

Sure. Write "Tank No. 34" or only "34".

Or better, "T-34".

What kind of bullshit is this now?

What happened?

Some problem, now we'll see.

Attention! Crews get out immediately!

If you refuse, we will open fire with anti-tank guns!

So now, Mikhail Ilych? In reverse?

I do not know. Better take a look.

That's it, we're done.

- Koshkin is finished. - What can you see out there?

We're in a jam. We can't meet them this time.

These guys have more than just sabers.

Let me have a look!

I'm going from Koshkin, in case he does something stupid?

Listen Leiutenant, do not go out.

They'll shoot you.

They won't shoot.

Don't go, Piotr Andreevich.

That's it, comrade Koshkin.

Let's not be foolish. This is no joke, we have to get out.

I can see it's no joke.

You have a minute to get out of the tank and give up!

After a minute I open fire!

If we give up now, then we won't make it.

If we don't, then we're burying the tanks and ourselves.

What good is that?

You don't understand, Piotr. It's just a matter of days or hours.

- War is about to break out. It could happen tomorrow. - I know.

We can't win without these tanks.

If we miss the inspection, they will not be produced.

The decision will taken too late. Sure, these are great tanks,

but the Red Army is out there with heavy weapons.

We have a armored vehicle!

No, are you serious?

Nonsense! You can do what you want, I'm leaving.

Wait.

I'll go first. Stay behind me.

Start it up, uncle Vasya, let's go!

They're about to start shooting. Come on, climb out, Kataeva.

I'm not getting out, so they'll shoot one way or the other.

Are you nuts, honey? Get up there, quickstep.

They've only cannon from 45. At that shooting angle he does not break the armor.

They won't even scratch the paint-work!

Uh, you're worthy of me! 45...

Can not you see her well? They can have 76 mm.

Neither the 76 will break through. Provided we're not sat here like idiots.

- I do not know. - Why don't you hop out, seeing as you're so indecisive!

You're so unhappy! Me, indecisive...

Indecisive!

Vasja, where are you going?! What do you think you're doing?

Stop!

Open fire!

Give me that! Who taught you to shoot?

Vasily is moving forward! Start it up, Kolya!

- Where is he going? - That way! - Why? - I don't know.

Stop!

Who authorized him? Is Lida with him?

- Let's catch up with him so you can ask him. Let's go, Kolja! - No!

Yes or no? Make your mind up, damn it!

Let's go, Kolja!

What the hell?

- Was that an armor-piercing round? - Yes, sir!

They continued along the gully. They ignored all our warnings.

Our armor-piercing shells had no effect.

Both tanks entered woodland at Pesterovo.

Well done!

Excuse me, General?

I said well done. It's according to plan.

- Why didn't you report to me immediately? - That's my fault, General.

I wanted to complete the mission and then report on it.

Right.

Now regarding the mission. Listen to me carefully...

Piotr, wake everyone up. We need to move.

Okay, I'll just go wash my face.

We're here.

I suggest we go directly.

This entire stretch is uninhabited.

That's good, we need to keep away from the road.

- One more meeting like that and we're done. - There is no doubt.

- We're lucky, the bearings wasn't damaged. - There's too much swamp.

We can figure that out. We do have 2 tanks, after all.

Ok, we need to get ready...

come on then.

We can't pass the swamp that way, Mikhail Ilych,

we need to use the road.

Karjat, just forward!

- Come on, more, come on! - Turn off the engine!

That's it, we're stuck!

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Well done, Vasily!

Is it my fault now?

It doesn't matter if you tie it on, it won't help.

- We can't pull it out from this side, see how steep it is? - Yeah.

- It's a perfect anti-tank ditch. - What if we pull from behind?

Why not, but how to access it? If we divert back through the swamp, it is about 6 km.

We can go around the lake, but we'd have to come back,

so we'd lose a day.

Any ideas?

Go on ahead, Mikhail Ilych... I'll think of something.

No, we can't leave you here alone.

He's right. From here to Moscow, not much left.

You'll manage without me. I'll stay with Kairat.

- Let's go, Vasily! - Yeah.

Thank you.

Can I come with you?

Stop, Vasily!

I have to check the route.

Mikhail Ilych, can I go outside while you're checking?

Go ahead, but be quick!

Mikhail Ilych!

What is it?

Mikhail Ilych, how do you feel?

I do hope you'll forgive me.

Otherwise you wouldn't have talked to me.

Especially in front of the girl.

No, no.

No, come on now!

She's fine, don't worry!

She'll stumble around a while and then find her way.

She's a smart cookie, she'll be fine.

You must take me for a monster!

But I only want the best, just like you.

But you didn't figure out the most important thing.

You did not choose the right guides.

You are not.

They are not going to appreciate your tanks.

They are not going to appreciate your talent or your hard work.

They don't give a damn about your effort.

They're only interested in one thing.

The minute you put a foot out of place, they'll eat you up, guts and all.

Just like so many others before you.

Because they're barbarians. And they always will be.

I can offer you something else.

Clean cities. Civilised people.

Modern factories, technology and equipment.

And most importantly, you can do exactly the same work,

but you'll get money and respect in exchange.

Forget the money, Mikhail Ilych, you'll go down in history.!

Children will read about you in their textbooks.

Do you understand?

Thank you, Vasily, for the care you have shown me...

It's just that...

you may be surprised by this...

I don't work for any boss.

I work for the people and for myself, as I am one of the people, too.

This is how you should understand it...

Beautiful cities and the very best factories... I plan build here.

The money, the fame, they're by the way.

The most important thing of all?

I do not like traitors!

You're a fool.

What the hell is that? Go on, shift over...

Parasite! You bastard!

You asshole! Well, how about that...

How about that...

Damn you...

You forced my hand... Now climb out!

I'm sorry, Mikhal Ilych...

but you've forced me to do this...

Mikhal Ilych, are you okay?

So you had time to jump on the tank?

Do not worry, we'll be back soon.

I promise.

We should go to the hills. It might be longer, but the road is dry.

Listen...

Come on, just in case,

let's take shelter in the tank,

for now.

And where are your tanks, comrade Koshkin?

Comrade Stalin,

in order to perform field testing in conditions comparable to battle,

an experimental T-34 prototype...

Two tanks...

Two prototype T-34 tanks,

have made the journey from Kharkhiv to Moscow without assistance.

The tanks posted perfect performance in all combat scenarios.

- Without assistance? - That is correct, comrade Stalin!

Not only is 700 km cross-country, an excellent demonstration...

of their off-road capabilities!

They did this in 7 days!

The movement of tank forces over such distances without...

access to road or railways is an incredible strategic advantage!

The journey demonstrated the robustness and reliability of the tank...

How did you manage to get here?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Mikhail Ilych.

Come on!

Where is the road?... There it is.

...and has reliable defensive armor that holds out from 37-50 mm anti-tank gun.

Piotr was driving the tank?

Why not, Mikhail Ilych.

Circus bears ride bicycles on one wheel...

and he's a Leiutenant in the NKVD.

Well done, Leiutenant!

What about Vasili?

What about him...

You could have left a note... I almost untied him.

It's ok, Piotr is a suspcious type.

So you don't remember being ambushed...

- or why were you tied up? - I do not remember anything.

Then how do you know that the battery is flat?!

- Okay, where is he now? - How, where?

He's in the tank.

This tank will be the little "swallow" within our armored force!

DEDICATED TO THE CREATORS OF THE T-34

Mikhail Ilyich Koshkin (1898-1940) was a Soviet designer and engineer.

He was the head of the tank-building design bureau

at Kharkhiv Locomotive Factory. The main creator of the T-34 tank.

Alexander Morozov and Nikolai Kucherenko

are rightfully credited as contributing toward the tank's design as well.

Two developmental prototype T-34's made the journey to Moscow under their

own steam in order to attend a State inspection, at Koshkin's initiative.

The journey took place in March 1940.

None of the tank's contemporaries anywhere in the world was able to cover

such distances without the need for an overhaul in the factory.

This is the Soviet advantage Armored techniques remained until

to the end of the World War II.