Original subtitles

IMAGE AND SOUND DIGITALLY RESTORED BY MOSFILM CINEMA CONCERN

MAY WE FOREVER HONOR THE HEROES SLAIN IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR

MOSFILM

TEHRAN NOVEMBER 30, 1943

Gentlemen,

I have some good news for Marshal Stalin.

Today, the Allied Staffs,

along with the British Prime Minister and the President of the US,

have decided to open a second front in the North of France

in May, 1944.

I'm satisfied with that decision.

In turn,

I'd like to inform Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill

that... as landing operations commence in France,

the Russians will launch a massive offensive against the Germans.

To our victory!

To our victory!

ANKARA DECEMBER 15, 1943

Ambassador Hughe, the Tehran conference papers.

The Prime Minister asked me to tell you

that you might need this information

in connection with the talks on Turkey's entry into the war.

President Inonu is already so inclined.

Yes, the PM also asked me to tell you not to hurry President Inonu.

If I understood the PM correctly,

we shall need the Turkish Army of one million men

when the Russians approach the Balkans.

- Shall we have dinner? - Certainly.

Elyesa, I'll be back in about 2 hours.

REICH CHANCELLERY. JANUARY 6, 1944 - Where did you get these?

The British Ambassador's valet in Ankara is our agent.

He's von Papen's agent. I don't trust von Papen.

My Fuhrer, the minutes of the Tehran Conference specify a timeframe

for an Anglo-American landing in Northern France.

They are opening a second front.

You don't know Churchill.

He's an old master of disinformation.

These documents were slipped to you deliberately.

My Fuhrer, my findings say otherwise.

Himmler.

Your gullibility has cost me dearly!

We almost lost Italy!

You missed the plot against the Duce.

I don't trust these fake documents.

Churchill would never dare to land in Normandy!

LIBERATION

The battle that proved decisive in World War II

was the great Battle of Kursk.

Here, in the summer of 1943,

hordes of Nazi tanks sustained defeat.

From here, the German army, which had enslaved Europe,

began to retreat.

Our troops launched a broad offensive

in Right-Bank Ukraine

and headed towards the border of the USSR.

FILM THREE

THE DIRECTION OF THE MAIN BLOW

Screenwriters: YURI BONDAREV, OSKAR KURGANOV, YURI OZEROV

Director: YURI OZEROV

Director of Photography: IGOR SLABNEVICH

Production Designer: ALEKSANDR MYAGKOV

Composer: Y. LEVITIN Sound: E. KASHKEVICH

Conductor: E. KHACHATURYAN

Unit Manager: J. KUN

Story Editor: G. MARIAMOV

Costume Designer: D. OZEROVA Makeup: V. YAKOVLEV

Editor: E. KARPOVA Pyrotechnician: V. SUKHORETSKY

Camera Operators: V. GUSEV, A. AKHMETOVA

Set Designers: I. FYODOROV, T. LAPSHINA

Gaffer V. NEVOLIN

COMPOSITING Camera Operators: E. SHTYRTSKOBER

Set Designers: F. KRASNY Modelmaker: V. SMIRNOV

Assistant Directors: E. AVAKOVA, L. BUSHAROVA, D. KUZNETSOV, А. MALYUKOV

Assistant Camera Operators: Yu. BAZAROV, А. DZHIRKVELOV, L. KOROKH, G. PANASOV

Assistant Designers: V. GLASS

Assistant Managers: S. POZDNYAKOV, G. KRYLOV, V. TSEYTLYN

Lead Military Consultant: General of the Army S. SHTEMENKO

Military Consultants: Colonel General G. ORIOL

Vice Admiral V. ALEXEYEV Lieutenant General S. SINIAKOV

Colonel (GDR) J. WITZLEBEN Colonel (Poland) Z. ZALUSSKI

Production Manager: LIDIA KANAREYKINA

CAST

Tsvetayev: N. OLYALIN Zoya: L. GOLUBKINA

Orlov: B. SEIDENBERG

Zhukov: M. ULYANOV Rokossovsky: V. DAVYDOV

Vasilevsky: Y. BURENKOV Antonov: V. STRZHELCHIK

Konev: V. SHUKSHIN Vatutin: S. KHARCHENKO

Chernyakhovsky: Y. KOLCHINSKY

Meretskov: V. KOSTENKO Bagramyan: V. KAREN

Shtemenko: K. PROTASOV Batov: V. ZAMANSKY

Panov: N. RYBNIKOV

Stalin: BUKHUTI ZAKARIADZE

Roosevelt: S. JAŚKIEVICZ Churchill: Y. DUROV

Hitler: F. DIEZ Himmler: E. THIEDE

Goebbels: H. GIESE Keitel: G. M. HENNEBERG

Kluge: H. HASSE Model: P. STURM

Fromm: H. SCHELTZKE Remer: H. KÖHN

Stauffenberg: A. STRUWE Olbricht: W. ORTMANN

Haeften: E. STECHER Beck: W. WIELAND

Witzleben: O. DIERICHS

PARTISANS Father: E. SHUTOV, Son: V. VAKHLIN

PILOTS

Jacques: L. PRYGUNOV, Zaitsev: V. RAZUMOVSKY

Participating in Polish scenes:

W. GLIŃSKI, M. NOWAKOWSKI, T. SCHMIDT

Pilots of the French Normandie-Niemen Regiment

A. BARTOLI, J-P. HIGEGEN, В. RAFFALI, A. CENTONZE

British Ambassador: B. WHITE Narrator: A. KARAPETYAN

WITH TROOPS OF THE BELORUSSIAN MILITARY DISTRICT

THE GROUP OF SOVIET FORCES IN GERMANY,

THE BALTIC FLEET AND THE POLISH ARMED FORCES

VREMYA CREATIVE ASSOCIATION

FIRST UKRAINIAN FRONT FEBRUARY 29, 1944

COMMANDER OF THE 1ST UKRAINIAN FRONT GENERAL OF THE ARMY VATUTIN

How do you say "butter" in Polish?

Butter, General.

And "meat"?

Meat.

And "bread"?

Bread, General!

It's such a similar language there's no need to even learn it.

And what's "life" in Polish?

Życie.

Życie?

That does differ.

But it's basically the same.

Turn around. Germans!

Return fire!

Comrade Vatutin.

Bad timing.

I never got the chance to start.

Who will command the front?

I've taken the command, Comrade.

Good luck to you.

Get well soon.

We'll meet in Poland yet.

- Życie. - What?

He keeps repeating that word, Marshal.

Życie...

means "life" in Polish.

On March 4, 1944

an offensive was launched

by the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front

under the command of Marshal Zhukov,

the 2nd Ukrainian Front under the command of Marshal Konev

and the 3rd Ukrainian Front

under the command of General of the Army Malinovsky.

In the winter campaign of 1943-1944,

the Red Army won the battle for the Dnieper and Right-Bank Ukraine.

It crushed the strong fortifications outside of Leningrad

and in the Crimea,

breached the river-line defenses on the Southern Bug, Dniester, and Prut,

and now continues to advance in the harsh muddy conditions of the spring.

But our strategically advantageous situation

remains difficult to maintain.

The German resistance keeps intensifying.

Our troops are tired,

and need serious reinforcements of both men and equipment.

It's time to take defensive actions.

We've gathered here, Comrade Zhukov,

to talk about... offensive,

not defensive actions.

I'm talking about essential defensive measures, Comrade Stalin.

They will allow us to better prepare for the offensive.

We understand that, Comrade Zhukov,

but today, we must determine

where to direct the main blow of the summer campaign.

Let us hear the thoughts...

of the front commanders.

Let's begin with the North.

Comrade Bagramyan.

We propose to strike in the Baltics

and cut off the Army Group North from Germany.

To this end, the 1st Baltic Front will advance along the Western Dvina

towards Polotsk, Dvinsk, and on to Riga.

What does Headquarters say on the matter?

We believe that the element of surprise will be lost

if we prepare for an offensive in the Baltics.

The enemy in that sector of the front

holds the advantage of maneuvering along interior lines,

a well-developed railway and highway network.

And for our tanks the terrain would be unfavorable -

too many lakes and marshes.

It's a serious consideration.

For the tank armies to advance in the direction of the main blow,

we need wide expanses.

But the Germans think the same way, Comrade Stalin.

What do you mean?

I mean the German military doctrine.

Using tank troops on flat terrain.

That's what they expect from us, too.

So what do you propose?

I propose to strike the main blow where they least expect us.

In the swampy and wooded areas of Belorussia.

As Suvorov said, "Where a deer cannot cross,

the Russian soldier will."

This is no Devil's Bridge.

This is modern warfare.

But modern warfare demands surprise, Comrade Stalin.

And HQ supports a major assault in Belorussia.

Go to Belorussia.

Review the situation on the ground...

Comrade Zhukov.

Yes sir.

Go! Forward! Go!

Put me through to the Regiment Commander, now!

Captain, there are wounded by the road.

- Captain! - Well?

The Commander's on the line.

I can't take the high point!

Another attack like this, and I'll lose all my men.

I know my orders.

What?

What did he say?

It's not for a woman's ears.

Sir, your wounded are by the road. Can't you hear me?

Give me two men to help carry them away!

Are you looking for a glorious death, Zoya?

I need every man here.

- Captain! - We'll get them at night.

I demand you carry them away now!

Move along, Orderly!

Captain!

- What is it? - Look.

That girl has gone crazy.

Guys, that looks like Zoya!

Oh, that damn girl will get herself captured!

- Cut off the Germans! - But we may hit her.

Move over!

We ought to attack, Captain. Or our girl will be done for.

Company commanders!

Well, boys, we only die once.

Get ready to attack! To your posts!

Let's go, guys! Move it!

Communists, follow me!

Go! Go!

Attack, follow me! Go!

You alive? Good girl!

Marshal, I'm doing recon by fire in the direction of Parichi.

2nd Battalion of the 36th Regiment took the height of 217 m.

Further advance was halted by heavy enemy fire.

And heavy casualties.

- Call off the offensive. - Yes sir.

Alert them to stop the offensive.

Comrade Batov, tell me...

can we advance to Parichi?

What do you think of it as a target?

It's certainly tempting.

Dry terrain, no water barriers. But the enemy is no fool, either.

They seized the high ground, built up a strong layered defense.

An advance on Parichi would bring great losses.

Indeed you are right.

A Parichi offensive would not be unexpected.

They're waiting for us there.

How are things at your left flank?

It's difficult terrain for maneuvers.

Many small rivers with wide floodplains and marshy swamps.

- When were you there last? - Last night.

Can we drive to it?

I don't recommend it.

It's covered by enemy artillery. Better go at night.

We'll go now.

Comrade Batov,

where are the German positions?

There's no solid defensive front, only...

a number of independent strongholds on dry elevations.

I see.

What are you having?

The... second front, General.

Come again?

Just American canned meat.

We call it "the second front", amongst ourselves.

How long before they open the front, General?

Can't manage by yourselves?

Sure we can, but as they say in our village,

"He who joins a fight last, ends up boasting the most."

What are those?

Swamp shoes, General.

- Swamp shoes? - They're made of bast.

They stop your feet sinking into the swamp.

Crafty idea.

If people can walk over a swamp,

then we can find a way to get the machinery over, too.

- Anything's possible. - Tanks, too?

We'll try.

What a surprise it would be for the Germans!

Right over there, Comrade Zhukov.

THE KREMLIN, MOSCOW, MAY 23 - Intel confirms our assumptions.

First, the enemy has ruled out the possibility

of our offensive in this direction,

and left the defenses in this sector weaker than in others.

Second...

men can pass through the swamps.

And if we lay log roads, so can the machinery.

That's why I propose to strike the main blow...

with our right flank,

with four field armies: the 3rd, 48th, 65th, and 28th,

towards Bobruisk.

So you... and Zhukov

insist on dragging us into the swamp, Comrade Rokossovsky.

It's not an easy route.

But it does... promise success.

We thought everything out, Comrade Stalin.

It doesn't seem like you "thought everything out".

Go into the next room...

and think over your proposal some more, Comrade Rokossovsky.

In the meantime,

let us hear from Comrade Vasilevsky.

As you know,

Comrade Vasilevsky

led the successful operation

to liberate Crimea.

After that, Comrade Vasilevsky, together with Zhukov,

drew up a plan

for the entire summer campaign.

In planning the summer campaign, Comrade Stalin,

we took into account the suggestions

of the front commanders present here.

The summer campaign of 1944

will be a network of major operations

spanning a vast territory from the Baltics to the Carpathians.

The plan of the summer campaign

will be executed as follows.

The Leningrad Front will strike the first blow in early June,

followed by the Karelian Front, in the direction of Vyborg.

These operations should lead to the defeat

and withdrawal of Finland from the war.

I wish you luck,

Comrade Meretskov.

Thank you, Comrade Stalin.

Then, HQ proposes to deliver the main blow

in Belorussia.

Moving in this direction offers a host of significant advantages.

First, the shortest way to Berlin

is through Belorussia.

Second, Belorussian partisans will help us.

As you know, Comrade Stalin,

there are 270,000 partisans operating in Belorussia.

And third, after the liberation of Belorussia,

when our troops step onto Polish soil,

they will be welcomed by their friends, the Poles,

who have been fighting the Nazi occupation for 5 years.

All of this reassures us of our decision.

Participating in the main blow will be

the 3rd Belorussian Front under General Chernyakhovsky,

and the 1st Belorussian Front under General Rokossovsky.

I propose we name...

the Belorussian operation

Operation Bagration.

In honor of our fellow countryman,

the commander who brought glory to Russian arms

in 1812.

Go on, Comrade Vasilevsky.

After the start of Operation Bagration,

when German High Command realizes that Belorussia

will be a decisive theater in the war

and deploys its reserves from the South,

Marshal Konev's 1st Ukrainian Front

will launch an assault toward Lvov.

And when the enemy is defeated as a result of these strikes,

we can go on the offensive in the Balkans -

in Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Hungary.

Would Comrade Zhukov like to add anything?

Before the war, I served in the Belorussian Military District.

I'm very familiar with the theater of operations.

The marshy and wooded terrain there

does not lend itself to large-scale use of tanks.

That's why I propose

to only send tank corps into the breach,

and leave the four tank armies - the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th -

stationed behind the right flank of the 1st Ukrainian Front.

First of all, this will mislead the enemy.

Knowing the location of those armies,

they'll expect the main assault in Ukraine, not Belorussia.

Second, we will have a strong reserve for the 2nd stage of the offensive.

And third,

we'll provide support for the left flank

of General Rokossovsky's advancing armies.

I agree.

And now...

call Rokossovsky back in.

So where are you going to strike the main blow,

Comrade Rokossovsky?

Through the swamps?

Yes, Comrade Stalin.

The main blow will be delivered... by the right flank towards Bobruisk.

I'm confident... in my decision, Comrade Stalin.

The Front Commander's persistence proves

that the offensive has been well thought out.

Give me your map, Comrade Rokossovsky.

APPROVED J. STALIN.

ON JUNE 6, 1944,

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN TROOPS LANDED IN NORTHERN FRANCE

WASHINGTON

I'm happy to have lived to see this day.

Even if it were the only thing I'd done,

my life would still have been worth it.

No doubt there will still be much debate about the second front,

but the important thing is...

we have opened it now.

Do you mean much debate with Churchill?

Why was he so insistent on invasion through the Balkans?

You see, Eleanor,

to begin with, he wanted to drive a wedge into Central Europe,

to keep the Russians out of Austria and Romania,

and maybe even Hungary.

Stalin realized this, as did I.

And all the rest of us.

Maybe he was right,

and we should have dealt a blow in the Balkans?

No, Eleanor.

This time we have chosen the shortest way to victory.

That's all there is to it.

Churchill is busy worrying about what's going to happen after the war

and, naturally, Britain's position after.

And I do not see why I should risk the lives of American soldiers

for Britain's interests in Europe.

By the way, could you read me the telegram from Mr. Stalin again?

I didn't quite understand it.

The Soviet troops' summer offensive,

planned according to our agreement at the Tehran Conference,

will begin by mid-June in one important sector of the front.

"Important sector of the front"?

Sounds like Asiatic cunning.

He doesn't believe anyone.

Not even his allies.

BERLIN, REICH CHANCELLERY JUNE 12

What's this?

Stalin's telegram to Churchill.

A radio intercept, deciphered using a code

provided by our agent in Turkey.

His information about a second front proved true.

Yes, I remember.

Stalin writes to Churchill that the Russian summer offensive

will begin in one sector of the front.

Which one?

Keitel, what do you think?

My Fuhrer, presumably, he means Northern Ukraine.

General Model thinks so, too.

Yes, I'm sure the Russians will direct their main blow

against the Army Group North Ukraine.

Then, they will try to penetrate Poland, or turn to the Balkans.

Do you agree, Field Marshal von Kluge?

I do not rule out a Russian offensive through the Baltics, either.

But four Russian tank armies have concentrated on my front.

That's 3,000 tanks.

There's no doubt they will attack here.

That's right, my Fuhrer.

We should expect the Russian offensive in Northern Ukraine.

In Northern Ukraine.

BELORUSSIA

Where's Kozlov?

Going along the shore.

All clear, Comrade Kozlov. Our guys are up ahead.

SECRETARY KOZLOV OF THE MINSK UNDERGROUND COMMITTEE

OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY.

FIRST SECRETARY PONOMARENKO, COMMUNIST PARTY OF BELORUSSIA

Come on in, Comrade Kozlov.

How was your journey?

Uneventful, Comrade Ponomarenko.

Let's begin, comrades.

Gathered here we have...

Belorussia's underground committee secretaries

and commanders of major Belorussian partisan units.

It was not easy to get you all together.

Nor was it easy for you to come...

from enemy territory.

But...

we made it.

A long-awaited day...

draws near, my friends.

The Red Army

will launch an offensive... in Belorussia.

JUNE 20

On June 20,

two days before the start of Operation Bagration,

the partisans of Belorussia

attacked the enemy's rail network

all the way from the front line to the national border.

3RD BELORUSSIAN FRONT JUNE 23

The long-range aircraft are in the air.

Good.

The 2nd Air Army is at full readiness.

The 3rd Air Army is at full readiness.

The Front Artillery is ready for action, Marshal.

MARSHAL ROTMISTROV - The 5th Tank Army is in position.

- Put me through to Bagramyan. - Yes sir.

GENERAL BAGRAMYAN - The 1st Baltic Front is ready.

Operation Bagration starts now.

Proceed, General.

It seems a pity to disturb such silence.

And yet, disturb it we will.

COMMANDER, 3RD BELORUSSIAN FRONT, COLONEL GENERAL CHERNYAKHOVSKY

Well, good luck.

Start, Generals.

COMMANDER, 303RD FIGHTER AVIATION DIVISION

MAJOR GENERAL ZAKHAROV

General, Colonel Golubov reporting as ordered.

Come on in, Colonel.

- Summon the Normandie Commander. - Yes sir!

Tulip, Tulip.

Tulip.

From me to you, Tanya. A daisy.

Tulip, Tulip. Tulip?

Normandie Commander to the General.

COMMANDER, NORMANDIE REGIMENT, LIEUTENANT COLONEL POUYADE

Still nothing?

Nothing for three days.

Roll up his bedding.

When will we fly?

Soon.

You're shaving again, Baron?

I always shave before battle.

I'd rather shave myself than get shaved by the Messerschmitts.

You like her?

Not bad.

I hope to meet her after the war, Lieutenant Colonel.

I need you, Jacques.

Hello, hello!

My pilots keep asking if we've come here for a holiday.

Tell him not to worry, there's plenty of fighting to go around.

Here's your mission, Comrade Pouyade.

Your regiment, together with Golubov's regiment,

will cut off Vitebsk from the air. Look...

Why not?

Smoking would suit such a charming blonde.

I've often noticed the cute and mysterious way blondes smoke.

They hold the cigarette between their thumb and index finger.

Like this.

Isn't it obvious that the girl does not smoke?

Well?

I meant no offense to the lovely mademoiselle.

The Soviet pilot mistakenly wants to play the role of Othello.

Listen, Normandie.

You better forget Othello. This is war, not theater.

Lieutenant,

there's no need to fight. He's very nice.

I didn't mean to offend you. My name is Jacques. What's yours?

Ivan? Sasha? Pasha?

Not Sasha-Pasha, but Senior Lieutenant Zaitsev.

Anton, you'll fly with Normandie. Maintain communications with me.

Yes sir.

For luck.

Four Messerschmitts on my right. I'm on the attack.

Othello!

A Messer behind you!

Jacques! Try to clear the forest!

Jacques!

Jacques, get up, quick!

Hurry!

Hurry, come on!

Thanks, Othello.

Come on!

There we go.

PART TWO

JUNE 24, 03:00 - Over the past day,

Operation Bagration has made good headway.

Bagramyan breached the German front,

crossed the Western Dvina, and surrounded Vitebsk.

Chernyakhovsky's right flank keeps advancing rapidly

to the Berezina, toward Borisov.

Zakharov's 2nd Belorussian Front also broke through

and is headed to Mogilev.

The Belorussian partisans have performed magnificently.

Last night they swiftly paralyzed all the railways behind enemy lines.

Well, now we come to you.

The direction of the main blow.

All reports say the Germans still do not expect us to strike here.

Everything's ready, we just have to lay a log road.

Why haven't you?

We decided to hammer the piles during artillery preparation,

so the Germans would not hear us, catch on, and open fire.

You'll finish in time?

We must.

Well...

As Bonaparte would say...

artillery, forward!

Come on, swamp army, follow me!

Go! Medals for everyone!

Go! Follow me!

Forward!

Send out Panov's corps.

MAJOR GENERAL PANOV - Storm five! Five!

Well, good luck, boys.

Storm! Storm!

First gear, 100-meters apart, keep up.

Panov's tank corps

plowed through enemy battle formations

and is advancing on Bobruisk.

The rifle corps of the 65th and 28th Armies,

along with Pliyev's group,

are building on Panov's success and pushing North.

Under threat of encirclement, the enemy wavered

and withdrew, according to air recon, to the other side of Berezina.

What do you intend to do?

I want to throw all reserves at the right flank

and fight our way to Bobruisk from the East.

And at the same time bring in the Dnieper Flotilla.

It will strike at the enemy crossing points...

and secure them.

THE BEREZINA RIVER JUNE 25, 08:00

BRIGADE COMMANDER, DNIEPER FLOTILLA, CAPTAIN LYALKO

All ships, prepare for assault landing!

FIELD MARSHAL MODEL

COMMANDER, ARMY GROUP CENTER, FIELD MARSHAL BUSCH

Field Marshal, the Fuhrer gave me a tough mission

to inform you that I will be taking over your post.

I already know that.

You're in for an even tougher mission.

To stop the Russian offensive.

What's the current situation?

The armies of Bagramyan and Chernyakhovsky

have occupied Polotsk, Vitebsk, Orsha,

and are pushing towards Vilnius and Minsk.

They are bypassing the left flank of Army Group Center's main forces.

Rokossovsky's troops have made their way to Bobruisk

and trapped 40,000 of our soldiers there.

How could the Russians be so successful?

By acting contrary to any military logic.

There's only one logic at war - knowing how to win!

Who commands the surrounded troops in Bobruisk?

General Hamann.

Let me talk to him.

We'll break through, Field Marshal. Yes sir.

Through the encirclement!

Give the soldiers all of our vodka!

There's no way back to the city!

Set fire to it!

All of it!

BOBRUISK JUNE 28, 02:00

What? What are you doing?

You're my wife.

I'm not afraid of anyone.

I'm your army wife, only in wartime.

You will stop loving me afterwards, and forget.

Stop it, Zoya.

I'm glad I found you at war.

I'd never have found you otherwise.

I love you.

Artillery, volley fire!

Fire!

ALL GERMAN COUNTERATTACKS FROM THE BOBRUISK CAULDRON WERE REPULSED

ON JUNE 29 OUR TROOPS LIBERATED THE CITY OF BOBRUISK

Our sincere gratitude,

Your Excellency the General.

Thank you.

But why "Excellency"?

You're a general, so you are excellent.

It's they who are excellent - our soldiers.

Seems you figured out how to win.

Yes we have, old timer. We have.

After their defeat at Vitebsk,

and Bobruisk,

the Germans, instead of retreating,

engaged in prolonged frontal battles.

And this, I believe, was a big mistake.

That's why you, Comrade Rokossovsky, now have a new objective.

Panov's 1st Tank Corps must advance to Minsk

and your main forces to Slutsk and Baranavichy

in order to cut off the enemy's retreat routes.

Chernyakhovsky is headed there, too.

We must complete the encirclement as soon as possible.

By completely surrounding them

and eliminating their Minsk contingent,

we'll wrap up stage one of Operation Bagration.

Then, we can proceed to stage two.

Which entails, comrades...

the 1st Belorussian Front advancing towards Kovel and Brest,

and arriving at the Polish border.

Thus commencing the liberation of Poland.

We invited you to update us on the actions of the 1st Polish Army.

What news from the Polish resistance?

[With a Polish accent] - We got a cipher from Comrade Duniak

that five partisan brigades have moved out to the Vistula

to help the Red Army capture the crossings.

What about the Polish Army?

[With a Polish accent] - We, sir,

would like to advance in the first echelon.

GENERAL BERLING, 1ST POLISH ARMY - Well, General,

shall we show the Germans that Poland lives on?

We shall indeed, Marshal!

But before that, I still have to capture Minsk.

Tell Panov to head towards Minsk.

SOUTHWEST OF MINSK 1ST GUARDS TANK CORPS

Turn Northwest immediately,

cut off the German retreat routes

and join the 3rd Belorussian Front.

Complete the encirclement and keep the enemy contained.

Copy that. I'm 50 kms ahead of the infantry.

Turning Northwest.

Storm, we're turning Northwest.

Toward Minsk. Forward!

Who are you?

Partisans from Kozlov's brigade.

Jump aboard.

Get on the tanks. I need an infantry anyway.

Hey boys, get on the tanks! Move it!

Come on, liven up!

MINSK TOVARNAYA STATION

Over here!

- How was the attack? - Great.

- What's this? - A pillow, General.

Took it from a train car. It's rough up here.

Were you expecting first class?

Forward!

Go, forward!

Stop! Those are ours!

Any longer and we would have lit each other up.

- 3rd Belorussian? - That's right.

- Burdeinei, 2nd Guards Corps. - Panov, 1st Guards Corps.

- We got the Germans in a ring, eh? - More like a cauldron!

- Let's hug it out, 1st Belorussian. - Let's, 3rd Belorussian.

Comrade Stalin, a German force of 105,000 men,

surrounded East of Minsk,

has been eliminated by the armies of Chernyakhovsky and Rokossovsky.

57,000 have been taken prisoner.

Our troops keep advancing to the Polish border.

According to our intelligence,

German High Command has deployed a great number of troops

from the South to close the breach,

thereby weakening the force ahead of the 1st Ukrainian Front.

Marshal Konev proposes

to take advantage of the situation

and strike towards Lvov and Sandomierz,

as planned.

Let Konev begin.

Comrade Antonov,

what do the Germans say

in their official reports regarding operations in Belorussia?

They claim to have planned their withdrawal from Belorussia.

You're taking prisoners.

Yet neither the enemy nor the allies believe you.

Do not hide your prisoners.

Show them off. Let everyone see.

MOSCOW

BERLIN

Come get me in an hour.

Herr von Kluge, if I'm not mistaken?

That's right, Field Marshal von Witzleben.

We've been expecting you.

Is your deployment to the West... a punishment?

Does it really matter?

The Fuhrer still thinks that a change of command will save us.

I think otherwise.

Is your mind completely made up?

Are any of your men strong minded? Men of action?

Yes.

Willing to take extreme measures?

Certainly.

I'd like to meet them.

Pardon me, I'll be right back.

This way, please.

Good to see you, Colonel General Beck.

Let me introduce our friends.

Doctor Carl Goerdeler.

You've met before.

General Friedrich Olbricht. Deputy Commander of the Reserve Army.

Colonel Count Claus von Stauffenberg

Chief of Staff of the Reserve Army.

Our army can be proud of such officers.

Field Marshal, may I introduce

Oberleutnant Werner von Haeften.

Adjutant to the Chief of Staff and a most diligent officer.

Please be seated, gentlemen.

You've come at the right time, Field Marshal.

We were trying to figure out what's happening on the Eastern Front.

It has been breached in many places.

The Russians keep making giant strides.

In Belorussia, they advance 40 kilometers a day.

And now, they are approaching the Polish border.

In short...

the Russian armies have reached the gates of Europe.

Gentlemen.

There's only one thing left to do -

remove Hitler and make peace with the West.

Then we can join forces against Russia

and fulfill our historic mission -

stop communism from entering Germany.

Your thinking is outdated, Dr. Goerdeler.

The communists entered Germany long ago.

You think the Communist Party does not operate in Germany,

but they do, in full force.

I cannot picture a new Germany without socialists or communists.

That's why I insist on making peace with the West and the East.

Gentlemen, our political differences must not stand in our way.

Our objective is to save Germany from defeat.

Let's go over the details of Operation Valkyrie.

Please, Count Stauffenberg.

Gentlemen, please make no written notes.

The signal "Valkyrie"

will be sent to the troops via all channels.

It will transfer all executive power to the army.

In the capital, once the signal is given,

we must seal off the government quarter,

seize all government and party offices,

the radio station and the telegraph,

and arrest Goebbels.

Pardon me, Stauffenberg.

I agree with your proposals, but I would like to know one thing:

will Hitler still be alive... when you give the Valkyrie signal?

I will take care of that myself.

On July 20th, I'll be at the Fuhrer's Headquarters

to report on our reserves.

JULY 20

- Good morning, Countess. - Morning! Claus is in his study.

- Would you like some breakfast? - No, thanks.

- Good morning, Colonel. - Good morning.

Which briefcase is mine?

In brief, the cases are the same.

You're in good spirits, always putting me at ease.

Why wouldn't I be? We're going to visit the Fuhrer.

I'll take this one.

Here's the capsule.

And the pliers to crush it.

Remember, you have 10 minutes, not a second more.

Don't you think I want to go on living?

May God help us.

RASTENBURG July 20, 12:00

Your passes, please.

Your special passes.

Go ahead.

The Fuhrer has changed the schedule.

You'll deliver your report at 12:30 now instead of 14:00.

And not at the bunker, but at the HQ barracks.

Yes sir.

Come along.

Excuse me, Field Marshal, I forgot my cap.

Go quickly.

Come on, Stauffenberg, we're already late.

Sorry, Field Marshal.

...at Brest, Field Marshal Model

keeps fending off attacks by Russian tanks.

Model was in dire straits,

but he shortened the front and pulled his forces together.

Heusinger!

Why not mention the 21 generals who surrendered to the Russians?

You think I'm going to mourn them?

They saved their skins, but those cowards are dead to us.

They were paraded through Moscow, like wild animals.

And I'm glad they were!

They deserve it.

Go on, Heusinger.

Russian troops crossed the Western Bug, sustaining heavy losses,

and have approached the General Governorate.

The Bolsheviks will never see the General Governorate!

I believe in Model!

But we must send him reserves.

Maybe Colonel Stauffenberg can report on the status of the reserve units?

No. Wait until the end.

How are things in the North, Heusinger?

I have to make a call to Berlin.

I have to make a call to Berlin.

Brandt, bring us the maps.

- How long will it take? - Just seconds.

To the airfield.

Let us out. Fuhrer's orders!

No one may leave, by order of the Commandant.

Get me Field Marshal Keitel!

It's Stauffenberg. They're not letting me out.

I must fly to Berlin, on Fuhrer's orders.

Thank you. Open up!

BERLIN 16:40

The bomb exploded.

It was right at Hitler's feet. He couldn't have survived.

Lieutenant Roehrig,

call Leipzig and Munich.

Operation Valkyrie has begun.

Now, let's see Fromm.

COMMANDER OF THE RESERVE ARMY COLONEL GENERAL FROMM

General Fromm,

Hitler has been assassinated.

Hitler is alive. I've just spoken to Keitel.

He told me about the explosion at HQ,

but Hitler was not injured

Keitel is lying, as usual.

Hitler is dead.

I planted a bomb under him.

You must shoot yourself now. You hear me? Right now!

General Beck, what's going on?

Operation Valkyrie.

It's a plot!

General, we're fighting for a new Germany.

Do you want to join us?

You're talking to the future head of state.

Future, but not present.

Hitler is alive. I'm carrying out his orders.

Gentlemen,

you're under arrest.

I have to arrest you, General.

What is this?

Arrest this man.

He betrayed our nation at a critical time.

You've gone too far. You will regret it.

To the basement!

See if Goebbels was arrested.

Major Remer's guard battalion has been sent for him.

I need to see Dr. Goebbels.

- Who are you? - I'm Major Remer.

- What's this regarding? - I'll report.

I've got orders to arrest Dr. Goebbels.

Orders from whom?

Berlin's Military Commandant.

I'm a Reich Minister. Only the Fuhrer can order my arrest.

He's dead. The Military Commandant said...

a new Chancellor will now take over.

No, Major, the Fuhrer is alive.

Let me put you through to him. Come.

Wait here.

It's Goebbels. Let me speak to the Fuhrer.

This oak table saved me from the blast.

I take this as divine intervention,

directing me to continue the pursuit of my life goal.

It's a real miracle, my Fuhrer.

It was a plot by the generals. I've never trusted them.

When I win victories, they take credit for them

but when failures occur, they blame me.

These treacherous criminals must be ruthlessly exterminated.

My Fuhrer, you have an urgent call from Reich Minister Goebbels.

Yes, Goebbels.

My Fuhrer, I have here Major Remer, commander of the guard battalion,

who has been ordered to arrest me by Berlin's Military Commandant.

Put Major Remer on the phone.

Major Remer speaking.

I'm countermanding the arrest order. Is that understood?

I'm promoting you to Colonel

and naming you Commander of the Berlin Garrison.

Immediately arrest all traitors and betrayers

who tried to stab the Reich in the back.

If anyone resists, shoot them on the spot, spare no one.

Act in my name, Colonel Remer!

Yes, my Fuhrer.

An appeal to the German people.

Hitler is dead.

We want to stop...

this senseless war...

and achieve a just peace.

Has Goebbels been arrested?

By now, probably.

How are things?

Reinforced SS units are guarding the radio station.

Storm the station.

As the new head of state Ludwig Beck must go on the air.

It's Paris.

Get me Field Marshal von Kluge.

Beck speaking.

Hitler has been killed.

I got news to the contrary from HQ.

Kluge, make up your mind!

The fate of Germany and Europe depends on you now.

I'll call you back after dinner.

That's Kluge for you.

Hands up!

Claus, are you alright?

Your revolt has failed.

It was not a revolt.

It was for the future of Germany, Major.

I'm Colonel Remer.

Oh, you're a Colonel. If you have any honor left...

Honor you say? You betrayed the Fuhrer!

Even if he escaped death now, he'll be executed.

You'll be executed.

Take them outside.

Leave General Beck here.

Beck, you were my teacher once.

I had bad students, too.

We have no time for puns.

This is all I can do for you.

Anything I can tell your family?

No, nothing.

My wife knows everything.

Help the old man.

The verdict of the court martial:

For undertaking activities constituting high treason,

and inflicting harm on the Fuhrer...

the following are sentenced to death by firing squad:

Colonel Mertz von Quirnheim,

General of the Infantry Olbricht,

that Colonel and that Lieutenant, whose names I want to forget.

Germany will remember our names.

Carry out the verdict immediately.

Lieutenant Schade, execute.

My Fuhrer,

all the conspirators against your life have been executed.

Retribution has been served.

Too bad Stauffenberg escaped the noose.

Stauffenberg! How much longer must I hear that name?

I sent his wife and children to a camp.

Good!

Everyone, everyone must forget him.

Himmler, dig him up, burn him and scatter the ashes.

He must have neither name nor grave.

My Fuhrer, you once mentioned the Stauffenberg family.

Ah, yes. The ancient Germans had a fine custom of blood feuds.

We should apply it to the entire Stauffenberg family.

They must be destroyed, Himmler!

Yes, my Fuhrer.

Let me introduce the new Chief of the General Staff,

Colonel General Guderian.

Our most prominent theorist on tank troops.

In the late 20s, he finished a tank school in Russia.

He, more than anyone, knows about the Red Army's tactics.

Well, Guderian, proceed with your report.

My Fuhrer, the time has come for you to receive

only accurate information.

Any attempt to tone down the truth may lead to tragic consequences.

First, the losses.

In just the last three months we have lost 1,200,000 men.

I have 5.5 million in arms!

And 2 million on reserve in the rear!

That's a great force.

I will stop the Russian offensive.

I will not let them into Europe!

LONDON

For Prime Minister Churchill, by hand.

The latest news from Germany, sir.

Unfortunately, the plot against Hitler failed.

The conspirators have been executed. The top officers are being arrested.

Did you say "unfortunately"?

Yes, sir.

Don't you think a successful conspiracy would have made headway?

"Headway"? You mean peace, perhaps?

Maybe so, sir.

If the conspirators actually had killed Hitler,

it wouldn't have been any good to us.

And I suspect Stalin would not want that, either.

Only a fool would accept peace

when the air smells of victory.

Just imagine that the end of the war would see us somewhere in Normandy

and Stalin - somewhere at Poland's border.

By the way, about Poland.

Is there any news?

Russian troops are still advancing to the border.

Now here you can say "unfortunately."

I foresaw such a situation in Tehran.

Now we are faced with a most serious situation.

From Marshal Stalin to you, sir.

Wasn't there any letter?

I noticed long ago that Uncle Joe adores his own portraits.

It's not as simple as all that.

There must be something behind this.

Somehow, he's got the better of me.

Oh yes, of course! The Russian troops have crossed the Polish border.

THE WESTERN BUG

Quite frankly, I'm overcome with emotion.

For five years I thought about the day

when we would arrive at the Polish border.

We arrived at 15:36. Let's remember that, General.

I'll remember that, too, Generals.

Forward! To Poland!

The army of the Soviet people,

together with the soldiers of the Polish Army,

stepped onto the long-suffering Polish land.

The liberation of enslaved Europe had begun.

Still ahead lay the cities of

Warsaw and Budapest,

Belgrade and Sofia,

Vienna and Bucharest,

Bratislava and Prague.

Berlin lay ahead!

Restoration Producer: KAREN SHAKHNAZAROV

© MOSFILM CINEMA CONCERN, 2020

END OF FILM THREE