00:00:00.375 --> 00:00:04.583 IMAGE AND SOUND DIGITALLY RESTORED BY MOSFILM CINEMA CONCERN 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:11.000 MAY WE FOREVER HONOR THE HEROES SLAIN IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 00:00:11.375 --> 00:00:17.375 MOSFILM 00:00:17.625 --> 00:00:20.875 VREMYA CREATIVE ASSOCIATION 00:01:16.292 --> 00:01:18.583 Just great! With a single shot! 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:55.125 And that was our newest tank! A single shot! 00:02:04.250 --> 00:02:08.833 RASTENBURG MARCH 25, 1943 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:11.500 Field Marshal General Manstein, go ahead. 00:03:17.417 --> 00:03:20.417 My Fuhrer, if I may. Your draft order reads: 00:03:23.083 --> 00:03:24.500 "Top Secret. 00:03:26.042 --> 00:03:27.875 Operations Order 6. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:31.125 I have decided to launch Operation Citadel 00:03:31.292 --> 00:03:33.500 as soon as weather conditions permit. 00:03:35.625 --> 00:03:37.375 Its primary objective 00:03:37.458 --> 00:03:40.375 is to attack from the north and south at once, 00:03:40.583 --> 00:03:43.125 surrounding and crushing the Russian troops 00:03:43.292 --> 00:03:45.583 gathered at the Kursk Salient, 00:03:46.958 --> 00:03:52.667 followed by a tank attack northeastward, bypassing Moscow. 00:03:54.333 --> 00:03:58.458 17 Panzer divisions, 22 infantry divisions, and 2 motorized ones 00:03:58.625 --> 00:04:02.042 will be employed to carry out Operation Citadel, 00:04:02.125 --> 00:04:04.208 for the main thrust of the attack." 00:04:04.583 --> 00:04:06.292 What's our troop strength? 00:04:06.958 --> 00:04:08.583 About one million soldiers, 00:04:08.750 --> 00:04:11.792 2,700 tanks including 800 Tiger tanks, 00:04:12.750 --> 00:04:15.167 and 1,800 aircraft, my Fuhrer. 00:04:18.792 --> 00:04:20.000 Gentlemen! 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:27.000 The two campaigns we undertook in 1941 and 1942 00:04:27.167 --> 00:04:29.208 did not defeat the Russians. 00:04:31.625 --> 00:04:34.958 Now, in 1943, we begin our third campaign, 00:04:35.125 --> 00:04:36.750 and it will be decisive. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:41.250 We have launched a total mobilization. 00:04:41.667 --> 00:04:45.542 Thanks to this, our troop strength has risen 00:04:45.708 --> 00:04:49.333 to 9.5 million men on all fronts. 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:54.125 Never before has Germany had such an army! 00:04:56.667 --> 00:04:59.583 We built new, highly powerful Tiger tanks 00:05:00.292 --> 00:05:03.083 meant to crush the Russians' defenses! 00:05:03.250 --> 00:05:04.667 They must crush them! 00:05:08.333 --> 00:05:09.542 But what's this? 00:05:14.292 --> 00:05:18.167 This Russian antitank shell pierced the Tigers' frontal armor! 00:05:19.583 --> 00:05:21.417 And you want to attack now? 00:05:22.333 --> 00:05:23.875 I can't risk that! 00:05:25.292 --> 00:05:28.125 Return all Tigers to their factories immediately 00:05:29.958 --> 00:05:32.208 and reinforce their armor. 00:05:33.708 --> 00:05:36.208 We can't begin Operation Citadel now. 00:05:38.375 --> 00:05:40.750 Prepare, prepare, and prepare some more! 00:05:42.625 --> 00:05:47.125 MOSCOW APRIL 12, 1943 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:28.417 It's been quiet on all fronts... 00:06:29.250 --> 00:06:31.333 for almost a month now. 00:06:32.292 --> 00:06:35.625 They haven't recovered from Stalingrad, Comrade Stalin. 00:06:35.792 --> 00:06:39.208 Nor have we from Kharkov, Comrade Vasilevsky. 00:06:43.125 --> 00:06:44.792 Stalingrad was... 00:06:45.417 --> 00:06:47.625 a terrible defeat for Hitler, 00:06:49.292 --> 00:06:52.542 both militarily and politically. 00:06:54.208 --> 00:06:55.917 But at Kharkov... 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:01.083 the Germans showed that they are still very strong... 00:07:02.417 --> 00:07:05.375 and that the decisive battle is yet to come. 00:07:09.042 --> 00:07:11.208 There's no doubt that... 00:07:12.333 --> 00:07:15.292 the enemy will try 00:07:15.625 --> 00:07:18.458 to retake the strategic initiative. 00:07:20.250 --> 00:07:23.167 The real question is... 00:07:24.292 --> 00:07:25.125 where, 00:07:26.042 --> 00:07:26.875 when, 00:07:27.667 --> 00:07:30.958 and with what forces he will attack. 00:07:34.458 --> 00:07:36.000 What do you think, Zhukov? 00:07:40.375 --> 00:07:42.708 I believe that Germany is in a position 00:07:42.792 --> 00:07:47.083 to prepare a major offensive in time for the summer campaign, 00:07:47.167 --> 00:07:50.042 but only in one theater. 00:07:51.375 --> 00:07:54.875 Given Southern Ukraine's economic resources, 00:07:55.833 --> 00:07:59.667 I expect the enemy to fight tooth and nail for the Donbass. 00:08:00.375 --> 00:08:04.333 He is likely to take advantage of the configuration of forces 00:08:04.417 --> 00:08:07.917 around the Kursk Salient to do that. Here, look. 00:08:10.958 --> 00:08:13.750 Attacking from the north and south would let... 00:08:14.250 --> 00:08:16.042 the enemy cut off and surround 00:08:16.125 --> 00:08:18.833 the troops of the Central and Voronezh Fronts. 00:08:20.167 --> 00:08:24.875 Doing this would grant him wide room to maneuver 00:08:25.042 --> 00:08:29.208 in any direction he finds strategically important. 00:08:32.875 --> 00:08:34.708 Vasilevsky, what do you think? 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:40.042 Headquarters has recently gathered detailed 00:08:40.208 --> 00:08:43.208 air and ground intelligence, Comrade Stalin. 00:08:43.708 --> 00:08:45.375 Intelligence has established 00:08:45.750 --> 00:08:47.458 that enemy troops 00:08:47.625 --> 00:08:50.125 are mainly headed to Poltava and Kharkov, 00:08:50.583 --> 00:08:53.000 as well as towards Orel and Bryansk. 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:56.500 This confirms Marshal Zhukov's hypothesis. 00:08:58.125 --> 00:09:01.708 What do Headquarters propose, Comrade Antonov? 00:09:02.458 --> 00:09:05.250 Headquarters, Comrade Stalin, propose we meet... 00:09:05.833 --> 00:09:10.042 the German troops' onslaught with powerful defenses, 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:13.083 drain all the enemy's strength... 00:09:13.750 --> 00:09:17.292 and then finish them off with a counteroffensive. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:20.625 We have begun to plan the operation. 00:09:21.958 --> 00:09:23.875 To plan the operation? 00:09:27.833 --> 00:09:32.625 What happens if our defenses don't withstand the German assault? 00:09:33.167 --> 00:09:38.625 It's happened more than once, in 1941 and 1942. 00:09:40.458 --> 00:09:42.500 Can you vouch for them? 00:09:47.083 --> 00:09:49.583 We can, Comrade Stalin. 00:10:06.333 --> 00:10:10.958 LIBERATION 00:10:11.125 --> 00:10:13.833 FILM ONE 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:19.000 THE SALIENT ABLAZE 00:10:19.375 --> 00:10:22.000 Screenwriters: YURI BONDAREV 00:10:22.167 --> 00:10:25.292 OSKAR KURGANOV YURI OZEROV 00:10:25.458 --> 00:10:30.583 Director: YURI OZEROV 00:10:30.750 --> 00:10:34.708 Director of Photography: IGOR SLABNEVICH 00:10:34.875 --> 00:10:39.333 Production Designer: ALEKSANDR MYAGKOV 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.917 Composer: Y. LEVITIN 00:10:41.083 --> 00:10:42.875 Sound: Y. MIKHAILOV 00:10:43.042 --> 00:10:44.458 Conductor: E. KHACHATURYAN 00:10:44.625 --> 00:10:46.542 Unit Manager: J.KUN 00:10:46.708 --> 00:10:49.958 Story Editor: G. MARIAMOV 00:10:50.125 --> 00:10:52.542 Costume Designer: D. OZEROVA Make-up: V. YAKOVLEV 00:10:52.625 --> 00:10:54.958 Editor: E. KARPOVA Pyrotechnician: V. SUKHORETSKY 00:10:55.125 --> 00:10:57.500 Camera Operators: V. GUSEV, A. AKHMETOVA, V. ABRAMOV 00:10:57.583 --> 00:11:00.167 Set Designers: I. FYODOROV and S. GAVRILOV 00:11:00.250 --> 00:11:01.083 COMPOSITING 00:11:01.167 --> 00:11:02.708 Camera Operators: E. SHTYRTSKOBER, G. ZAYTSEV 00:11:02.792 --> 00:11:04.333 Set Designers: F. KRASNY, S. ZYABLIKOV 00:11:04.417 --> 00:11:05.417 Modelmaker: V. SMIRNOV 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:08.292 Assistant Directors: E. AVAKOVA, L. BUSHAROVA, D. KUZNETSOV, O. NIKOLAEV 00:11:08.375 --> 00:11:10.292 Assistant Camera Operators: A. DZHIRKVELOV, T. PROSHIN, A. SHUMILOV 00:11:10.375 --> 00:11:12.333 Assistant Designers: V. GLASS, B. VOLSKIY, L. KUZMICHEVA 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:14.250 Lead Military Consultant: General of the Army S. SHTEMENKO 00:11:14.333 --> 00:11:16.042 Military Consultants: Colonel General G. ORIOL 00:11:16.125 --> 00:11:18.292 Colonel General A. RODIMTSEV Lieutenant General S. SINIAKOV 00:11:18.375 --> 00:11:19.542 Colonel (GDR) J. WITZLEBEN 00:11:19.625 --> 00:11:23.792 Production Managers: LIDIA KANAREYKINA and Y. DZHOROGOV 00:11:23.958 --> 00:11:26.792 Assistant Managers: G. KRYLOV, S. POZDNYAKOV, V. ZEITLIN 00:11:26.875 --> 00:11:28.208 Production Intern: T. ZUYEVA 00:11:28.375 --> 00:11:31.708 CAST 00:11:31.875 --> 00:11:34.708 Tsvetayev: N. OLYALIN Zoya: L. GOLUBKINA 00:11:34.875 --> 00:11:37.750 Orlov: B. SEIDENBERG Sashka: S. NIKONENKO 00:11:37.917 --> 00:11:40.583 Lukin: V. SANAYEV Gromov: V. SAMOYLOV 00:11:40.750 --> 00:11:43.375 Vasiliev: Y. KAMORNY Dorozhkin: V. NOSIK 00:11:43.542 --> 00:11:46.875 Janek: JAN ENGLERT (Poland) Maximov: V. AVDYUSHKO 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:48.208 Leontiev: I. OZEROV 00:11:48.375 --> 00:11:51.583 Zhukov: M. ULYANOV Rokossovsky: V. DAVYDOV 00:11:51.750 --> 00:11:56.208 Vasilevsky: Y. BURENKOV Vatutin: S. KHARCHENKO 00:11:56.375 --> 00:11:58.958 Antonov: V. STRZHELCHIK Konev: Y. LEGKOV 00:11:59.042 --> 00:12:01.792 Moskalenko: N. RUSHKOVSKY Rybalko: D. FRANKO 00:12:01.958 --> 00:12:03.208 Katukov: K. ZABELIN 00:12:03.375 --> 00:12:04.958 Stalin: BUKHUTI ZAKARIADZE 00:12:05.125 --> 00:12:10.333 Roosevelt: S. JAŠKIEWICZ Churchill: Y. DUROV 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:13.833 Hitler: FRITZ DIES (GDR) Mussolini: IVO GARRANI (Italy) 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:17.958 Keitel: G. M. HENNEBERG (GDR) Manstein: S. WEISS (GDR) 00:12:18.125 --> 00:12:20.958 Kluge: H. HASSE (GDR) Model: P. STURM (GDR) 00:12:21.125 --> 00:12:25.208 Skorzeny: F. PIERSIC (Romania) Voice-over: A. KARAPETYAN 00:12:47.125 --> 00:12:50.458 WITH TROOPS FROM THE KIEV, MOSCOW, 00:12:50.625 --> 00:12:53.125 AND TRANSCAUCASIAN MILITARY DISTRICTS 00:12:57.333 --> 00:13:03.333 KURSK 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:07.000 JULY 5, 00:10 00:15:12.375 --> 00:15:17.625 GENERAL OF THE ARMY ROKOSSOVSKY, COMMANDER OF THE CENTRAL FRONT 00:15:26.292 --> 00:15:30.750 A private in the 6th Sapper Battalion was clearing lanes in the minefields. 00:15:30.875 --> 00:15:32.958 What did you get an Iron Cross for? 00:15:36.750 --> 00:15:37.750 Stalingrad? 00:15:38.958 --> 00:15:41.375 You're in luck. The war is over for you. 00:15:56.667 --> 00:16:00.083 You may shoot me, but your Stalingrad begins tomorrow. 00:16:00.250 --> 00:16:01.708 We'll make it to Moscow. 00:16:02.542 --> 00:16:05.667 - We heard the Fuhrer's order. - What kind of order? 00:16:15.750 --> 00:16:19.292 This morning, you will be dealt a massive blow at Kursk. 00:16:19.458 --> 00:16:21.958 It will be the final, deciding blow. 00:16:22.958 --> 00:16:24.750 When does the offensive begin? 00:16:29.833 --> 00:16:31.917 On July 5, at 03:00. 00:16:34.417 --> 00:16:36.250 So, 03:00. 00:16:36.333 --> 00:16:39.083 MARSHAL ZHUKOV, DEPUTY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 00:16:40.625 --> 00:16:44.167 If that's true... we have two hours. 00:16:46.417 --> 00:16:48.958 But is it fact or fiction? 00:16:51.208 --> 00:16:53.083 First of all, HQ did warn us 00:16:53.250 --> 00:16:57.292 that the German offensive would fall between July 3 and 6. 00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:02.542 Secondly... as we know, yesterday, Field Marshal Manstein 00:17:02.708 --> 00:17:05.833 made a reconnaissance-in-force of the Voronezh Front. 00:17:10.375 --> 00:17:15.875 And, finally, Field Marshal von Kluge, Commander of Army Group Center... 00:17:16.417 --> 00:17:18.083 What do we have on Kluge? 00:17:18.708 --> 00:17:22.000 Partisans report him moving his headquarters yesterday, 00:17:22.958 --> 00:17:25.167 out of Orel and closer to the front. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:30.083 So everything points to them being... ready to start. 00:17:30.333 --> 00:17:34.708 At 03:00, if we're to believe the prisoner. 00:17:35.875 --> 00:17:39.542 Yes... if we're to believe the prisoner. 00:17:42.250 --> 00:17:44.375 What measures do you suggest? 00:17:44.958 --> 00:17:47.583 A surprise barrage from all artillery. 00:17:47.875 --> 00:17:49.958 Preemptive counter-battery strikes. 00:18:01.250 --> 00:18:02.583 Issue the orders. 00:18:02.917 --> 00:18:06.292 But we haven't identified the enemy's assembly areas yet. 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:09.375 MAJOR GENERAL TELEGIN - Do we fire at the bushes? 00:18:11.042 --> 00:18:12.917 What if the prisoner is right... 00:18:13.208 --> 00:18:16.917 and the German attack will start in 1 hour and 55 minutes? 00:18:21.375 --> 00:18:25.208 Then we really do need an artillery strike, Comrade Marshal. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.375 Artillery Commander, 00:18:29.083 --> 00:18:30.250 go ahead. 00:18:31.750 --> 00:18:32.250 LT. GENERAL KAZAKOV 00:18:32.250 --> 00:18:33.333 LT. GENERAL KAZAKOV - Sir! 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:25.375 03:10 00:19:35.583 --> 00:19:36.583 There you go... 00:19:37.333 --> 00:19:39.833 "An uncertain silence hung in the air," 00:19:40.042 --> 00:19:41.542 as a writer would say. 00:19:43.583 --> 00:19:44.875 Why are you whistling? 00:19:45.375 --> 00:19:46.625 Enjoying yourself? 00:19:48.542 --> 00:19:50.042 Why not, Comrade Captain? 00:19:50.333 --> 00:19:52.625 We're moving forwards, trophies await. 00:19:53.167 --> 00:19:55.208 I bet there's a depot in Orel. 00:19:55.583 --> 00:19:56.792 A depot... 00:19:57.333 --> 00:20:00.083 - We might be running back to Kursk. - Come on. 00:20:00.250 --> 00:20:01.250 Well, we might. 00:20:01.667 --> 00:20:03.500 Captain, the colonel wants you. 00:20:04.208 --> 00:20:07.250 Remember, a lot can happen in a situation like this. 00:20:07.708 --> 00:20:11.000 LT. COLONEL LUKIN, COMMANDER OF THE 206TH RIFLE REGIMENT 00:20:11.667 --> 00:20:14.333 The infantry will let tanks through, 00:20:14.750 --> 00:20:17.667 so they'll head right for you. Keep that in mind. 00:20:17.917 --> 00:20:20.000 I am, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. 00:20:20.458 --> 00:20:24.417 "I am" what? What an airheaded answer. 00:20:24.958 --> 00:20:27.625 You can't keep everything in mind, Tsvetayev. 00:20:27.917 --> 00:20:30.625 Will it be 10 tanks charging at you or 50? 00:20:30.792 --> 00:20:33.375 At any rate, plan for 50. 00:20:34.333 --> 00:20:38.958 Your ridge is right where Maximov's and Orlov's battalions meet. 00:20:39.125 --> 00:20:41.042 - Orlov! - What? 00:20:41.458 --> 00:20:43.625 - Nothing. - I got all of that. 00:20:44.375 --> 00:20:47.083 - Am I free to go, Comrade Colonel? - Go. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:52.500 You too, back to your battalions. 00:20:54.958 --> 00:20:57.042 - Keeping that in mind? - I am. 00:21:17.875 --> 00:21:19.083 They're silent. 00:21:22.833 --> 00:21:24.458 Weirdly silent. 00:21:26.167 --> 00:21:28.000 Maybe they had second thoughts. 00:21:28.625 --> 00:21:31.792 - Break a leg, Maximov. - Oh, go to... you know where. 00:21:36.083 --> 00:21:38.750 Hey Orlov, what's wrong? Your teeth hurting? 00:21:38.833 --> 00:21:39.792 Is it nerves? 00:21:39.958 --> 00:21:42.292 No idea. They're really wearing me out. 00:21:42.417 --> 00:21:45.458 Like how lousy soldiers get diarrhea before battle. 00:21:58.667 --> 00:22:02.208 Ah, Zoya, dear! I'm awfully glad to see you. 00:22:02.375 --> 00:22:05.250 - Go straight on and don't look back. - Yes, sir. 00:22:10.375 --> 00:22:11.792 What are you doing here? 00:22:16.583 --> 00:22:18.083 I'm a little scared. 00:22:20.583 --> 00:22:22.333 I have a bad feeling. 00:22:23.292 --> 00:22:25.083 Nothing will happen to us. 00:22:26.208 --> 00:22:27.833 Everything will be alright. 00:22:31.875 --> 00:22:35.958 03:55 CENTRAL FRONT HEADQUARTERS 00:22:44.167 --> 00:22:48.083 It's strange, a German attack would feel like a relief. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:23:01.625 It's now... 03:56. 00:23:04.792 --> 00:23:07.500 - Are they going to begin or not? - They must. 00:23:09.375 --> 00:23:10.417 They must. 00:23:11.542 --> 00:23:16.167 It's clear there's no stopping their war machine, now that it's in motion. 00:23:19.208 --> 00:23:21.667 Connect me to the Voronezh Front. 00:23:24.583 --> 00:23:27.292 Silent as the grave here, Comrade Zhukov. 00:23:27.375 --> 00:23:28.458 MARSHAL VASILEVSKY 00:23:28.542 --> 00:23:31.250 No, no sign of them actually beginning. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:37.083 Maybe we'll be in luck and it'll start soon. 00:23:38.750 --> 00:23:39.833 Take care. 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:48.500 GENERAL OF THE ARMY VATUTIN, COMMANDER OF THE VORONEZH FRONT 00:23:48.667 --> 00:23:49.500 What? 00:23:50.875 --> 00:23:53.542 - Are they waiting? - They are, too. 00:23:56.833 --> 00:23:59.000 Quiet enough to make your ears ring. 00:24:04.542 --> 00:24:05.375 Well? 00:24:05.667 --> 00:24:09.667 Same as it was, Comrade Vatutin. Zero movement on the front line. 00:24:11.833 --> 00:24:13.125 Comrade Vasilevsky... 00:24:14.417 --> 00:24:16.542 should we alert the next-in-command? 00:24:17.333 --> 00:24:18.375 Let's do it. 00:24:18.750 --> 00:24:20.417 Connect me with Katukov. 00:24:34.167 --> 00:24:40.167 LIEUTENANT GENERAL KATUKOV, COMMANDER OF THE 1ST TANK ARMY 00:24:42.125 --> 00:24:44.042 Comrade General, red alert! 00:24:46.417 --> 00:24:47.542 Got it. 00:24:48.083 --> 00:24:50.333 - Let me help you. - Go. 00:24:51.667 --> 00:24:52.833 I'm coming. 00:24:53.875 --> 00:24:54.875 Go on. 00:25:40.958 --> 00:25:41.958 Damn it. 00:25:42.625 --> 00:25:46.083 - What is it? - Red alert, Comrade Lieutenant. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.500 Fine. 00:25:48.958 --> 00:25:50.958 Get on your motorcycle, Dorozhkin. 00:25:51.333 --> 00:25:54.917 And don't get too inquisitive. You know I don't like that. 00:25:55.333 --> 00:25:56.417 Yes, sir. 00:26:26.750 --> 00:26:28.667 What is this, the crew? 00:26:29.958 --> 00:26:32.375 The crew of Tank 13, Comrade General! 00:26:32.958 --> 00:26:34.583 So where's your tank? 00:26:35.917 --> 00:26:37.375 Where's your commander? 00:26:40.417 --> 00:26:41.833 [speaking Polish] 00:26:53.458 --> 00:26:55.583 Did you understand what he said? 00:26:55.792 --> 00:26:58.500 - No sir, Comrade General! - Well, I did. 00:26:59.417 --> 00:27:02.833 This crew always tries valiantly to protect its commander. 00:27:05.042 --> 00:27:06.583 So where is the commander? 00:27:08.292 --> 00:27:10.708 General, Lieutenant Vasiliev is arriving! 00:27:22.708 --> 00:27:24.458 So you do speak Russian. 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:26.042 Are you Polish? 00:27:26.667 --> 00:27:28.708 Yes sir, Comrade General, Polish. 00:27:28.833 --> 00:27:31.333 From Warsaw. Been in the Red Army 3 years. 00:27:31.667 --> 00:27:33.917 So why were you still speaking Polish? 00:27:35.250 --> 00:27:37.333 I think in Polish, Comrade General. 00:27:37.792 --> 00:27:40.667 I see you always have an answer on hand. 00:27:47.583 --> 00:27:50.958 - Lieutenant Vasiliev reporting... - Hold the reporting. 00:27:51.125 --> 00:27:55.500 Tired of those shoulder stripes, are you, Lieutenant Vasiliev? 00:27:55.792 --> 00:27:58.125 I want a straight answer. Well? 00:27:58.667 --> 00:28:02.583 No sir, Comrade General. I am not tired of my shoulder stripes. 00:28:03.083 --> 00:28:04.375 Well, he should be. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:10.333 Fine. We'll see if your stripes are too heavy for you after the battle. 00:28:10.667 --> 00:28:13.000 - Off to your platoon! - Yes sir! 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:23.958 04:30 00:28:37.125 --> 00:28:42.625 COLONEL GENERAL MODEL, COMMANDER OF THE 9TH ARMY 00:29:02.792 --> 00:29:08.500 FIELD MARSHAL VON KLUGE, COMMANDER OF ARMY GROUP CENTER 00:29:22.375 --> 00:29:23.750 Field Marshal, sir. 00:29:25.458 --> 00:29:29.833 Our whole plan was based on the element of surprise. Now we've lost that. 00:29:30.708 --> 00:29:32.875 Their artillery has disrupted comms 00:29:32.958 --> 00:29:35.333 and caused serious losses at the front. 00:29:38.667 --> 00:29:40.125 So what do you propose? 00:29:41.167 --> 00:29:42.667 Call off the operation. 00:29:44.042 --> 00:29:45.250 That's not possible. 00:29:51.083 --> 00:29:54.083 Did you inform the Fuhrer of last night's events? 00:29:57.667 --> 00:29:59.292 I didn't find it necessary. 00:30:00.333 --> 00:30:02.250 It will be too late, if we wait. 00:30:03.083 --> 00:30:04.375 So what do you want? 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:08.958 Field Marshal, please call the Fuhrer. 00:30:13.042 --> 00:30:15.292 This is a decisive military operation! 00:30:15.417 --> 00:30:17.333 The fate of Germany is at stake! 00:30:32.292 --> 00:30:34.125 We're starting the battle 00:30:34.417 --> 00:30:35.917 that will decide the war. 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:39.250 - When can you attack? - In an hour. 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:46.000 Do it. 00:30:57.375 --> 00:31:01.583 JULY 5, 05:30 00:32:52.083 --> 00:32:54.583 Leontiev, man the guns! 00:33:20.208 --> 00:33:21.417 To your posts! 00:33:51.708 --> 00:33:52.708 Forward! 00:34:38.875 --> 00:34:42.000 The time has come for you too to face reality. 00:34:42.458 --> 00:34:47.667 Almost all the countries in Europe have become part of Germany. 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:51.583 Here you have them. 00:34:51.750 --> 00:34:54.667 Portugal, Spain, France, 00:34:54.833 --> 00:34:59.083 Italy, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, 00:34:59.250 --> 00:35:01.750 Finland, the entire Balkans. 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:06.917 Soon new states will be set up 00:35:07.083 --> 00:35:10.500 on the land conquered by Germany 00:35:10.667 --> 00:35:13.792 in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, 00:35:13.958 --> 00:35:16.250 Belorussia, and Ukraine. 00:35:16.958 --> 00:35:20.292 What is left in Europe? 00:35:21.292 --> 00:35:24.167 A strip of Russian land 00:35:24.333 --> 00:35:28.292 whose fate is already set. 00:35:28.750 --> 00:35:34.875 Today, German troops broke through the Soviet line 00:35:35.042 --> 00:35:37.833 at the base of the Kursk Salient, 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:42.500 trapping ten Soviet armies in a ring of fire. 00:35:42.833 --> 00:35:45.833 Bolshevik Russia will not withstand 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:49.958 SACHSENHAUSEN CONCENTRATION CAMP - such a massive blow. 00:35:50.250 --> 00:35:55.750 As you can see, our uniforms bear the RLA insignia. 00:35:56.417 --> 00:36:00.500 That stands for Russian Liberation Army. 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:04.833 You, too, may join this army... 00:36:05.417 --> 00:36:09.375 if you want your wives and children, 00:36:09.542 --> 00:36:11.667 your mothers and fathers, 00:36:11.833 --> 00:36:15.500 to greet you as their liberators. 00:36:15.958 --> 00:36:17.750 I invite any of you 00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:22.542 who want to join the Russian Liberation Army 00:36:22.708 --> 00:36:24.667 to step forward. 00:36:31.250 --> 00:36:34.417 My name is Arthur von Kristman. 00:36:35.083 --> 00:36:38.667 I represent the International Red Cross. 00:36:39.583 --> 00:36:42.542 I have here a news report from Swiss newspapers. 00:36:43.750 --> 00:36:47.583 A delegation of the Red Cross set out to Moscow from Switzerland 00:36:47.750 --> 00:36:50.875 to discuss potential aid measures for Russian POWs 00:36:51.250 --> 00:36:53.583 with the Soviet authorities. 00:36:53.875 --> 00:36:58.000 After much difficulty, the delegation secured an audience with Stalin. 00:36:58.417 --> 00:37:01.750 After listening to a delegate from the Swiss Red Cross, 00:37:01.917 --> 00:37:05.042 he said, "There are no Soviet POWs. 00:37:05.208 --> 00:37:07.708 There are only traitors." 00:37:08.958 --> 00:37:12.833 Now you know what awaits you at home. 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:14.833 Once more, I invite 00:37:15.167 --> 00:37:17.625 those who want to join us 00:37:17.792 --> 00:37:19.167 to step forward! 00:37:35.875 --> 00:37:37.083 Anyone else? 00:37:48.667 --> 00:37:51.583 Take Vlasov's men away... 00:37:51.917 --> 00:37:53.417 give the rest a lashing. 00:38:23.375 --> 00:38:25.208 Are you Stalin? 00:38:27.917 --> 00:38:29.875 - No. - Who are you, then? 00:38:31.750 --> 00:38:33.083 Yakov Dzhugashvili. 00:38:33.250 --> 00:38:36.167 What difference does it make? You're Stalin's son. 00:38:38.167 --> 00:38:39.875 You and I have met before. 00:38:40.458 --> 00:38:41.625 I don't remember. 00:38:41.792 --> 00:38:44.583 At training exercises in Kiev, before the war. 00:38:44.833 --> 00:38:47.167 I was in the blue team HQ then. 00:38:48.542 --> 00:38:49.875 Now where are you? 00:38:51.667 --> 00:38:53.917 Don't forget your place, Yakov Stalin. 00:38:54.708 --> 00:38:57.792 I'm trying to help you, and you're getting cocky. 00:38:58.500 --> 00:39:00.208 How long have you been a POW? 00:39:00.875 --> 00:39:02.583 Since August '41. 00:39:02.750 --> 00:39:04.083 Almost 2 years. 00:39:04.708 --> 00:39:07.792 Well, now you have a chance to return home. 00:39:08.583 --> 00:39:09.958 With your army? 00:39:11.708 --> 00:39:15.500 I was instructed to tell you that Hitler wants to 00:39:15.667 --> 00:39:18.417 exchange you for Field Marshal Paulus, 00:39:18.833 --> 00:39:21.042 who was captured at Stalingrad. 00:39:21.750 --> 00:39:25.208 But for that to happen, you must write to your father. 00:39:26.250 --> 00:39:28.250 I'm not writing anything. 00:39:28.417 --> 00:39:30.083 You may want to think again. 00:39:32.417 --> 00:39:35.458 I'm not writing Stalin anything. 00:39:36.083 --> 00:39:39.000 If the exchange with Paulus doesn't work out... 00:39:39.250 --> 00:39:40.625 you'll be shot. 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:47.708 JULY 5, 15:00 00:40:33.250 --> 00:40:35.208 COMMANDER, 381ST RIFLE DIVISION 00:40:35.292 --> 00:40:37.417 COLONEL GROMOV - Colonel, our tanks. 00:40:38.250 --> 00:40:39.875 Those don't look like ours. 00:40:42.333 --> 00:40:44.750 Back up! Go left! 00:40:45.458 --> 00:40:48.042 Go left, quick! Come on, hurry! 00:40:48.625 --> 00:40:49.625 Come on! 00:40:57.458 --> 00:41:00.458 Hang in there! Orlov, my boy, hang in there! 00:41:00.833 --> 00:41:04.917 The anti-tank guys are on their way. I know, I know- 00:41:05.083 --> 00:41:07.583 Did you know, Colonel, I was just fired on 00:41:07.750 --> 00:41:10.542 by German tanks behind your lines?! 00:41:10.708 --> 00:41:13.042 - Yes sir. - "Yes sir", what?! 00:41:13.917 --> 00:41:15.792 So how come they broke through? 00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:19.167 Forty tanks broke through Maximov's defenses. 00:41:19.333 --> 00:41:23.125 - Look, it's Major Maximov. - What? What's he doing here? 00:41:32.167 --> 00:41:34.042 Where did you come from? 00:41:34.208 --> 00:41:36.500 Abandoning your battalion, your men! 00:41:36.667 --> 00:41:38.583 Let me find out what happened. 00:41:38.750 --> 00:41:40.917 Well, why are you here? Why?! 00:41:41.083 --> 00:41:42.917 A shell wiped out the dugout. 00:41:43.417 --> 00:41:46.250 I came to and saw Germans in the trench. 00:41:47.375 --> 00:41:48.833 My men weren't there. 00:41:49.250 --> 00:41:50.292 I couldn't. 00:41:50.917 --> 00:41:51.958 I just couldn't! 00:41:55.042 --> 00:41:58.042 Your men are on the ridge! Over there! 00:41:58.208 --> 00:42:01.375 Get to the ridge! Fight to the bitter end! 00:42:01.833 --> 00:42:06.000 Get to your battalion immediately! Go on, on the double! 00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:09.708 His men are fighting to the last breath, and he's... 00:42:09.875 --> 00:42:11.000 a coward! 00:42:29.417 --> 00:42:31.833 Maximov, where are you going?! 00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:35.125 He's gone crazy. Maybe he's shell-shocked. 00:42:52.375 --> 00:42:54.125 Anti-tank guns, fire! 00:43:05.417 --> 00:43:09.375 Comrade Captain, Comrade Captain, the 2nd Battalion is retreating! 00:43:10.042 --> 00:43:12.000 Look, there! They turned tail! 00:43:12.167 --> 00:43:13.500 - Where? - There! 00:43:24.292 --> 00:43:28.042 Orlov is retreating. Those rogue Slavs couldn't take it! 00:43:30.083 --> 00:43:32.333 Halt! I'll shoot whoever's in front! 00:43:32.500 --> 00:43:35.417 - Back! Go back! - Back! 00:43:35.708 --> 00:43:39.250 - Halt! Halt! - To the trench! 00:43:39.417 --> 00:43:42.417 The tanks got around us. We're done for here! 00:43:42.583 --> 00:43:43.667 Where's Orlov? 00:43:45.000 --> 00:43:46.792 Where is Orlov? 00:43:47.583 --> 00:43:50.042 Get down in the trench and return fire. 00:43:51.750 --> 00:43:54.083 All you wimps can go to hell. 00:43:55.750 --> 00:43:56.750 Go back! 00:43:59.500 --> 00:44:02.917 Go back! Dig in here! 00:44:04.625 --> 00:44:07.750 - Orlov, you alive? - It's not my day to die yet! 00:44:08.083 --> 00:44:10.250 I'm still here, and they're running! 00:44:11.542 --> 00:44:12.542 Go back! 00:44:12.958 --> 00:44:16.292 Go back, blast you! Dig in here! 00:44:57.417 --> 00:44:58.708 Savchuk, you wounded? 00:44:58.792 --> 00:45:00.375 Load! 00:45:40.417 --> 00:45:41.458 Get me a shell! 00:45:41.750 --> 00:45:44.833 A shell! A shell! 00:46:52.000 --> 00:46:53.375 Load! 00:47:00.500 --> 00:47:03.583 Hang in there, Comrade Captain! I'll get the shells! 00:47:03.667 --> 00:47:05.792 - Hurry! - Yes sir! 00:47:07.125 --> 00:47:09.708 Comrade Captain, we have five shells left. 00:47:10.333 --> 00:47:12.708 Go, Sashka. Run! 00:48:04.917 --> 00:48:07.750 - Darling boy! Get us a dozen shells. - I will! 00:48:07.833 --> 00:48:10.292 - A dozen! - I will! We should have them. 00:48:10.375 --> 00:48:13.458 Sunflower, come in. We all died carrying out orders. 00:48:13.542 --> 00:48:15.500 We all died carrying out orders. 00:48:15.667 --> 00:48:18.250 What are you talking about? We didn't die. 00:48:18.417 --> 00:48:20.833 - We didn't die! - We all died... 00:48:21.000 --> 00:48:23.500 You're shell-shocked. Shell-shocked. 00:48:25.000 --> 00:48:29.042 Sashka, my boy, we have two shells. Just two shells left. 00:48:29.250 --> 00:48:32.083 Get back to the rear! Please, my boy, hurry up. 00:48:38.792 --> 00:48:40.167 They won't kill him. 00:48:42.917 --> 00:48:44.500 They can't kill him. 00:48:45.750 --> 00:48:47.125 They won't kill him. 00:48:47.292 --> 00:48:49.250 Nurse! Nurse! 00:49:01.000 --> 00:49:03.833 It'll all be fine, sweetheart. One second. 00:49:04.500 --> 00:49:07.250 It'll all be fine. Hang on one second. 00:49:09.542 --> 00:49:10.833 Hang on, sweetheart. 00:49:13.667 --> 00:49:15.292 It'll all be alright. 00:49:26.542 --> 00:49:28.417 Hang on a second, hang on... 00:49:28.833 --> 00:49:30.208 Hang on, sweetheart. 00:50:21.333 --> 00:50:24.583 Oh God, let this be over soon. 00:50:25.125 --> 00:50:27.375 It has to end sometime, doesn't it? 00:50:28.042 --> 00:50:29.833 It has to end. 00:50:31.583 --> 00:50:33.417 Nurse! Nurse! 00:50:56.125 --> 00:50:58.083 Zoya! 00:51:01.417 --> 00:51:02.583 Zoya! 00:51:38.208 --> 00:51:39.042 Sergei! 00:52:33.417 --> 00:52:36.000 You must be Major Gennady Maximov, 00:52:36.542 --> 00:52:41.292 commander of the 2nd Battalion, 206th Rifle Regiment, 381st Division. 00:52:42.125 --> 00:52:43.250 You speak Russian? 00:52:43.417 --> 00:52:46.167 Major, the general has a few questions for you. 00:52:46.375 --> 00:52:48.833 Your answers may save your life. 00:52:49.000 --> 00:52:50.417 You know Russian. 00:52:50.917 --> 00:52:52.000 Are you Russian? 00:52:52.250 --> 00:52:53.500 I'm German... 00:52:54.333 --> 00:52:55.750 but I lived in Russia. 00:52:56.583 --> 00:52:58.458 The general has one question: 00:52:58.625 --> 00:53:01.958 how deep are the Soviet defenses around Ponyri Station? 00:53:07.125 --> 00:53:08.667 I'll ask you again. 00:53:10.750 --> 00:53:12.000 Are you listening? 00:53:13.292 --> 00:53:14.292 I'm waiting. 00:53:39.250 --> 00:53:42.083 Is it true that Zhukov has arrived at the front 00:53:42.167 --> 00:53:43.833 and is now among the troops? 00:53:55.542 --> 00:53:57.708 We know Russian soldiers like to say, 00:53:57.792 --> 00:54:00.417 "When Zhukov arrives, we start the attack." 00:54:00.583 --> 00:54:01.583 Is that so? 00:54:03.458 --> 00:54:04.458 It is. 00:54:06.292 --> 00:54:08.542 And now you can shoot me. 00:54:19.750 --> 00:54:23.083 We Germans don't shoot captured Russian officers. 00:54:23.250 --> 00:54:26.750 As a soldier, your life belongs to Zhukov and Rokossovsky. 00:54:26.833 --> 00:54:27.958 You're free to go. 00:54:37.333 --> 00:54:39.708 If you happen to see them, tell them 00:54:40.000 --> 00:54:43.000 that German tanks will be in Kursk in 3 days. 00:54:54.333 --> 00:54:57.333 Here's my advice, Major: don't get captured again. 00:54:57.500 --> 00:55:00.875 A brave officer would choose a bullet to the head instead. 00:55:26.625 --> 00:55:27.708 Run along now. 00:55:30.458 --> 00:55:32.375 We've let you live, Major. 00:55:32.542 --> 00:55:34.625 Rejoice... Run. 00:55:35.500 --> 00:55:36.500 Go on, run. 00:55:37.167 --> 00:55:38.625 I've been let live... 00:55:39.583 --> 00:55:40.583 by you Krauts? 00:55:42.500 --> 00:55:45.167 And you're coming to Kursk? Never! 00:55:45.333 --> 00:55:48.542 Your tanks are burning right there! Look at them burn! 00:55:49.083 --> 00:55:53.375 You should have your necks wrung like rats! Why I oughta... 00:55:55.833 --> 00:55:58.292 Run, you Red bastard! 00:56:00.542 --> 00:56:01.667 Shoot. 00:56:02.500 --> 00:56:06.625 I'll show you how Major Maximov the Russian dies! 00:56:07.958 --> 00:56:10.083 Shoot, you German whore! 00:56:10.750 --> 00:56:13.833 For the last time, run! 00:56:14.000 --> 00:56:16.750 - Run! - Shoot! Shoot! 00:56:42.792 --> 00:56:47.000 CENTRAL FRONT HQ, JULY 9TH - And so, throughout July 5th, 6th, 00:56:47.167 --> 00:56:49.292 8th, and all of the 9th, 00:56:50.000 --> 00:56:52.292 General Model's strike force 00:56:52.458 --> 00:56:55.000 tried to penetrate our troops' defenses 00:56:56.000 --> 00:56:59.250 in the area of the 13th, 48th, and 70th Armies. 00:57:00.125 --> 00:57:02.458 The enemy advanced up to 10 kilometers, 00:57:02.958 --> 00:57:05.875 but ultimately failed to penetrate our defenses. 00:57:09.792 --> 00:57:13.042 Today's report from the Voronezh Front, if you please. 00:57:15.000 --> 00:57:17.875 The Germans cut through the defenses 00:57:18.042 --> 00:57:20.333 of Chistyakov's 6th Guards Army, 00:57:20.625 --> 00:57:22.958 advancing 30 kilometers towards Oboyan. 00:57:23.125 --> 00:57:26.042 The second defense belt is seeing heavy fighting. 00:57:27.667 --> 00:57:30.917 Katukov's tank army took the brunt of the attack. 00:57:32.958 --> 00:57:35.958 That is the situation as at July 9. 00:57:39.625 --> 00:57:41.250 They cut through! 00:57:44.875 --> 00:57:45.708 Yes... 00:57:46.333 --> 00:57:48.042 Vatutin has it pretty rough. 00:57:49.208 --> 00:57:51.625 So do we, Comrade Zhukov. 00:57:51.792 --> 00:57:53.042 It's not as bad here. 00:57:54.125 --> 00:57:56.208 We were all expecting the main blow 00:57:56.292 --> 00:57:59.042 to fall on the Central Front, not on Vatutin. 00:58:00.750 --> 00:58:01.750 Then again... 00:58:04.292 --> 00:58:05.958 In war, every general thinks 00:58:06.042 --> 00:58:08.375 he's the target of the main blow. 00:58:18.000 --> 00:58:19.750 It's Moscow, Marshal. 00:58:24.458 --> 00:58:25.708 Comrade Zhukov? 00:58:25.875 --> 00:58:28.083 Yes, Comrade Stalin. Good evening. 00:58:29.708 --> 00:58:32.250 - What is it, sir? - How are things? 00:58:33.417 --> 00:58:37.000 Rokossovsky and I believe the enemy is losing steam. 00:58:37.708 --> 00:58:41.833 We identified their units regrouping in the Tyoploye-Ponyri 2 area. 00:58:42.625 --> 00:58:44.708 The enemy lacks the strength... 00:58:45.208 --> 00:58:46.792 for a breakthrough. 00:58:46.958 --> 00:58:49.708 It looks like they will go on the defensive. 00:58:50.000 --> 00:58:52.958 Maybe it's time for Rokossovsky to attack. 00:58:53.333 --> 00:58:54.750 What do you think? 00:58:55.208 --> 00:58:59.958 I think it's time to bring in troops from the Bryansk and Western Fronts, 00:59:00.125 --> 00:59:02.542 as we outlined in Operation Kutuzov. 00:59:03.167 --> 00:59:04.708 Without their support, 00:59:05.333 --> 00:59:08.667 Rokossovsky's counterattack cannot succeed. 00:59:09.042 --> 00:59:11.583 When do you think we can start? 00:59:12.375 --> 00:59:13.792 I think... 00:59:14.458 --> 00:59:16.875 the 12th at the earliest. 00:59:18.167 --> 00:59:21.333 Let's make that the deadline. 00:59:27.458 --> 00:59:29.292 The Chief is rushing us. 00:59:32.750 --> 00:59:34.708 What is it now, Comrade Antonov? 00:59:38.417 --> 00:59:40.750 The International Red Cross approached 00:59:41.542 --> 00:59:43.750 our military attaché in Sweden. 00:59:43.917 --> 00:59:47.417 Trying to impose their morals on us again, I bet. 00:59:47.583 --> 00:59:50.000 It's about your son... 00:59:50.750 --> 00:59:52.833 about Yakov, Comrade Stalin. 00:59:53.708 --> 00:59:55.875 The Germans propose you exchange him 00:59:56.042 --> 00:59:58.833 for Field Marshal Paulus through the Red Cross. 01:00:03.917 --> 01:00:06.417 I don't exchange privates... 01:00:07.958 --> 01:00:10.875 for field marshals. 01:00:29.917 --> 01:00:31.417 Our motto is: 01:00:32.292 --> 01:00:34.125 "Victory or Death." 01:00:35.000 --> 01:00:36.417 The Fuhrer has said: 01:00:37.375 --> 01:00:39.375 "I am starting from the beginning." 01:00:39.542 --> 01:00:42.542 And his words are now being shown to be true. 01:00:42.708 --> 01:00:45.833 The great German army has launched an attack 01:00:46.000 --> 01:00:48.125 of unprecedented ferocity on Kursk. 01:00:48.292 --> 01:00:50.833 One more decisive push, and the Bolsheviks 01:00:51.000 --> 01:00:54.000 LONDON - will be overrun. 01:00:55.583 --> 01:00:58.875 May the Lord bless and keep our weapons! 01:01:03.292 --> 01:01:04.625 Turn that thing off. 01:01:05.167 --> 01:01:09.250 I can't stand listening to that scoundrel talking about the Lord. 01:01:09.542 --> 01:01:12.458 Even if only half of what Goebbels said 01:01:12.625 --> 01:01:16.083 about Kursk was true, I do think the situation is serious. 01:01:19.083 --> 01:01:23.125 According to our intelligence, the German strength in this offensive 01:01:23.208 --> 01:01:27.625 is about a million men, with up to 3,000 tanks there. 01:01:37.917 --> 01:01:42.167 I'm afraid that this time the Russians may not hold out. 01:01:49.083 --> 01:01:51.458 We're approaching a very serious crisis. 01:01:52.375 --> 01:01:55.583 Perhaps we should revise Operation Overlord 01:01:55.750 --> 01:01:57.875 and invade Normandy sooner? 01:02:06.167 --> 01:02:10.917 For my part I consider the best way to be through the Balkans. 01:02:15.333 --> 01:02:18.583 Especially since the situation of the Yugoslav partisans 01:02:18.958 --> 01:02:20.333 is very serious indeed. 01:02:23.458 --> 01:02:26.958 I'm afraid, sir, that there's practically no hope for them. 01:02:30.708 --> 01:02:33.125 YUGOSLAVIA 01:03:12.000 --> 01:03:16.417 JOSIP BROZ TITO, SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMY OF YUGOSLAVIA 01:03:16.583 --> 01:03:19.417 Captain, how is the mountain march treating you? 01:03:20.167 --> 01:03:22.833 It's easier to bear if one knows the aim. 01:03:33.500 --> 01:03:34.708 If we manage to join 01:03:34.792 --> 01:03:37.625 the partisan forces operating in Eastern Bosnia, 01:03:37.708 --> 01:03:39.167 our forces will double. 01:03:39.667 --> 01:03:40.708 I hope so. 01:03:40.875 --> 01:03:44.292 Perhaps, by that time the Allies will land in the Balkans. 01:03:48.583 --> 01:03:51.542 Mr. Churchill wants to beat the Russians 01:03:52.250 --> 01:03:54.292 to the Balkans and shut them out. 01:03:54.875 --> 01:03:57.375 He calls it the second Balkan front. 01:03:57.667 --> 01:04:01.792 That front has already been opened by the People's Army of Yugoslavia. 01:04:01.958 --> 01:04:05.292 We're seeing heavy combat here. We're fighting. 01:04:06.208 --> 01:04:07.917 I'll do my best to help, sir. 01:04:08.667 --> 01:04:10.875 I know that, Captain. Thank you. 01:04:16.542 --> 01:04:20.208 Comrade, there are German vehicles ahead, we're surrounded. 01:04:20.292 --> 01:04:21.917 We'll try to break through. 01:05:21.208 --> 01:05:24.583 LIEUTENANT GENERAL SHTEMENKO - General, a radio intercept. 01:05:24.667 --> 01:05:29.458 "Attention! Attention! The People's Army of Yugoslavia has 01:05:29.625 --> 01:05:32.333 broken out of the encirclement. It fights on." 01:05:34.667 --> 01:05:37.292 It's essential you maintain the connection. 01:05:37.458 --> 01:05:38.458 Yes sir. 01:05:39.125 --> 01:05:40.750 General Rybalko is here. 01:05:48.208 --> 01:05:53.500 LIEUTENANT GENERAL RYBALKO, COMMANDER OF THE 3RD TANK ARMY 01:05:54.167 --> 01:05:56.167 Glad you're here, Comrade Rybalko. 01:05:57.000 --> 01:05:58.000 Thank you. 01:05:58.250 --> 01:06:00.500 Come on, let's talk. 01:06:02.542 --> 01:06:07.250 Here we have the situation as at 18:00 on July 10th. 01:06:07.833 --> 01:06:10.542 Field Marshal von Kluge has managed to dig 01:06:10.625 --> 01:06:14.542 as deep as 10 or 12 kilometers into Rokossovsky's defenses. 01:06:16.000 --> 01:06:18.875 And at Vatutin's front, the enemy moved 01:06:18.958 --> 01:06:21.542 40 kilometers into our defenses. 01:06:21.708 --> 01:06:23.792 Today, our intelligence reports, 01:06:23.958 --> 01:06:28.000 that Field Marshal von Kluge sent in his last reserves: 01:06:28.458 --> 01:06:32.417 the 12th Panzer Division and 10th and 36th Motorized Divisions. 01:06:32.583 --> 01:06:36.542 In so doing, Comrade Rybalko, he's weakened his left flank. 01:06:37.125 --> 01:06:41.000 Headquarters believes it's time to launch Operation Kutuzov, 01:06:41.375 --> 01:06:45.625 to strike at the Germans' flank, right here. 01:06:46.792 --> 01:06:50.125 Comrade Shtemenko, explain the task to General Rybalko. 01:06:51.083 --> 01:06:55.000 As your tank army advances through the Bryansk Front zone, 01:06:55.917 --> 01:07:00.083 you should take the city of Orel, if conditions permit. 01:07:04.167 --> 01:07:06.750 I... will not take Orel. 01:07:08.917 --> 01:07:10.208 What do you mean? 01:07:10.917 --> 01:07:15.333 The streets there are narrow, no turning around. They'll fry my tanks. 01:07:15.500 --> 01:07:17.042 So what do you propose? 01:07:18.792 --> 01:07:20.292 I'll go around it... 01:07:21.083 --> 01:07:23.500 and let the infantry take all the glory. 01:07:25.042 --> 01:07:28.042 Alright, we'll divide up the glory after the war. 01:07:28.458 --> 01:07:29.625 Good luck to you. 01:07:30.625 --> 01:07:33.583 ON JULY 11, AT 05:35, 01:07:33.750 --> 01:07:38.542 THE BRYANSK FRONT AND THE LEFT WING OF THE WESTERN FRONT 01:07:38.708 --> 01:07:41.500 BEGAN THE ADVANCE TOWARDS OREL. 01:08:39.750 --> 01:08:43.250 About an hour ago, the Russians' Western and Bryansk Fronts 01:08:43.417 --> 01:08:44.833 went on the offensive... 01:08:46.167 --> 01:08:48.000 against my left flank. 01:08:56.250 --> 01:09:00.375 This puts Model's entire strike force at risk of being encircled. 01:09:08.083 --> 01:09:10.667 In these conditions, I have no alternative 01:09:10.833 --> 01:09:13.583 but to give up attacking Kursk from the north. 01:09:13.875 --> 01:09:15.625 FIELD MARSHAL GENERAL MANSTEIN 01:09:15.708 --> 01:09:18.375 Don't inform the Fuhrer of your decision yet. 01:09:18.542 --> 01:09:21.583 Operation Citadel is entering its final stage. 01:09:22.000 --> 01:09:24.708 I'm sending in all the Panzer divisions today. 01:09:25.917 --> 01:09:27.625 Yes, all eleven of them. 01:09:27.750 --> 01:09:29.708 The division commanders are here. 01:09:31.292 --> 01:09:33.583 They are determined to take Kursk. 01:09:35.250 --> 01:09:36.417 I wish you success. 01:09:48.042 --> 01:09:49.042 Gentlemen, 01:09:50.125 --> 01:09:54.125 Field Marshal von Kluge is confident we will be in Kursk tomorrow. 01:09:55.000 --> 01:09:56.917 Or even today, Field Marshal. 01:09:57.083 --> 01:10:00.167 We men of the Adolf Hitler Panzer Division will be. 01:10:00.333 --> 01:10:03.458 Those are worthy words, Obergruppenfuhrer. Thank you. 01:10:06.500 --> 01:10:09.750 You need to see that the enemy's situation is dire. 01:10:10.292 --> 01:10:13.375 The battle is starting to look like a tight string. 01:10:13.958 --> 01:10:15.375 It's bound to snap. 01:10:16.125 --> 01:10:20.458 Much, if not everything, depends on what our divisions do. 01:10:23.792 --> 01:10:26.750 The SS Reich Panzer Division is ready to attack. 01:10:27.833 --> 01:10:31.375 My SS Totenkopf Panzer Division will fight its way to Kursk. 01:10:31.542 --> 01:10:34.750 The 19th Panzer Division will do its duty. 01:10:35.375 --> 01:10:37.500 Our duty unites us all: 01:10:37.917 --> 01:10:40.250 victory or death. 01:10:42.333 --> 01:10:44.917 Yes, Field Marshal, I won't forget it. 01:10:49.542 --> 01:10:51.542 One firm push towards Kursk... 01:10:52.167 --> 01:10:53.708 and the string will snap. 01:10:55.042 --> 01:10:56.375 Gentlemen, you may go. 01:11:14.500 --> 01:11:19.500 THE VORONEZH FRONT JULY 11 01:12:03.875 --> 01:12:08.000 Well, I'd cross myself if I believed in God. 01:15:36.542 --> 01:15:37.917 - Let's go! - Yes sir! 01:15:47.333 --> 01:15:50.208 Platoon... Do as I do! 01:15:51.708 --> 01:15:52.708 Forward! 01:16:23.125 --> 01:16:24.125 The machine gun! 01:16:38.875 --> 01:16:40.458 - Janek! - Yes? 01:16:41.125 --> 01:16:42.625 A sub-caliber shell, now! 01:16:46.125 --> 01:16:46.958 Sir! 01:16:47.292 --> 01:16:48.292 Fire! 01:16:50.667 --> 01:16:53.625 Come on! Come on, damn it! 01:16:54.750 --> 01:16:55.750 Fire! 01:16:59.542 --> 01:17:02.208 Only fools say there's no such thing as hell! 01:17:49.458 --> 01:17:52.208 Comrade Lieutenant, the 15th isn't responding. 01:18:12.500 --> 01:18:13.542 Forward! 01:18:57.333 --> 01:19:00.000 Say hello to Auntie Motya, Krauts! 01:19:50.875 --> 01:19:52.417 - Everyone OK? - Gorokhov! 01:19:52.500 --> 01:19:53.542 What about him? 01:19:53.625 --> 01:19:55.333 Looks injured. He can't see. 01:19:55.417 --> 01:19:58.333 Get the tank to the river! We need to put it out! 01:19:58.500 --> 01:20:01.167 Gorokhov, can you hear us? Get to the river! 01:21:18.625 --> 01:21:19.833 Bastard! 01:23:49.500 --> 01:23:50.542 Chistyakov... 01:23:51.625 --> 01:23:54.500 eliminate the breach on your own, you hear me? 01:23:55.792 --> 01:23:57.542 Retake Kazachye. 01:23:58.667 --> 01:24:01.750 Don't call me until you take Kazachye. 01:24:05.208 --> 01:24:07.000 How are things at Prokhorovka? 01:24:08.250 --> 01:24:09.875 Bad, Comrade Vasilevsky. 01:24:10.250 --> 01:24:14.000 The enemy broke the 183rd Division and 2nd Tank Corps' defenses. 01:24:14.083 --> 01:24:17.042 They're barging their way through to Prokhorovka. 01:24:20.292 --> 01:24:23.833 - What about elsewhere? - They're giving it all they've got. 01:24:24.375 --> 01:24:26.167 Our reserves are all deployed. 01:24:37.167 --> 01:24:38.542 Comrade Vasilevsky... 01:24:39.625 --> 01:24:41.875 ask Stalin for the 5th Tanks. 01:24:42.542 --> 01:24:44.458 It's high time, God knows it is. 01:24:44.792 --> 01:24:46.208 I know, Comrade Vatutin, 01:24:46.375 --> 01:24:49.917 but the 5th Tank Army belongs to Konev's Steppe Front. 01:24:50.958 --> 01:24:52.667 and the Steppe Front... 01:24:53.792 --> 01:24:56.500 is HQ's reserve in case of an offensive. 01:24:58.792 --> 01:25:02.583 Don't you see that a crisis is brewing in the enemy's offensive? 01:25:02.750 --> 01:25:06.000 A counterattack by the 5th could make the difference. 01:25:07.167 --> 01:25:09.250 Comrade Vasilevsky, ask Stalin. 01:25:15.667 --> 01:25:16.667 I'll try. 01:25:23.375 --> 01:25:25.500 Connect me with Headquarters. 01:25:56.708 --> 01:26:01.750 COLONEL GENERAL KONEV, COMMANDER OF THE STEPPE FRONT 01:26:03.917 --> 01:26:07.750 The Steppe Front was the Headquarters' reserve front. 01:26:08.208 --> 01:26:10.833 It was meant to be sent into battle 01:26:11.000 --> 01:26:15.000 should our counteroffensive at the Kursk Salient be successful. 01:26:15.958 --> 01:26:20.292 But Stalin, anxious about the situation south of Kursk, 01:26:20.458 --> 01:26:24.333 gave two armies from the Steppe Front to Vatutin: 01:26:24.625 --> 01:26:27.208 General Zhadov's 5th Guards Army 01:26:27.375 --> 01:26:30.417 and General Rotmistrov's 5th Tank Army. 01:26:50.583 --> 01:26:55.125 LIEUTENANT GENERAL ROTMISTROV, COMMANDER OF THE 5TH TANK ARMY 01:27:04.292 --> 01:27:05.292 To the plane. 01:27:14.125 --> 01:27:17.167 General, the 5th Tank Army was ordered to destroy 01:27:17.250 --> 01:27:20.125 the enemy forces that have pushed into our lines. 01:27:20.833 --> 01:27:23.667 Their line of deployment is west of Prokhorovka. 01:27:24.167 --> 01:27:26.292 The enemy is already in Prokhorovka. 01:27:26.458 --> 01:27:29.625 - Turn the army back immediately. - Yes, General, sir! 01:27:31.458 --> 01:27:34.000 JULY 12 01:28:45.500 --> 01:28:48.333 The Battle of Kursk has hit a crisis point. 01:28:50.958 --> 01:28:53.792 Perhaps our whole operation in the East has. 01:29:29.417 --> 01:29:31.000 Field Marshal, sir. 01:29:33.125 --> 01:29:35.250 My division is no more. 01:29:52.333 --> 01:29:54.417 But I haven't forgotten my duty. 01:30:19.708 --> 01:30:20.708 What was that? 01:30:37.375 --> 01:30:38.458 Senseless. 01:30:41.083 --> 01:30:42.667 Tell the troops... 01:30:43.708 --> 01:30:45.500 to hold on at any cost. 01:30:47.083 --> 01:30:48.667 I'll prepare the order. 01:30:51.042 --> 01:30:54.417 There's nothing for us to say to our soldiers, General. 01:30:54.875 --> 01:30:57.125 Hold on! Hold on! 01:30:57.500 --> 01:30:59.958 But the German troops could not withstand 01:31:00.125 --> 01:31:03.208 the Soviet armies' powerful counteroffensive. 01:31:04.000 --> 01:31:06.583 The tank battle at Prokhorovka, 01:31:06.750 --> 01:31:09.417 the greatest in World War II, 01:31:09.583 --> 01:31:12.917 had turned the tide of the Battle of the Kursk Salient. 01:31:13.917 --> 01:31:17.583 It was the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, 01:31:17.917 --> 01:31:21.000 although there remained two long years 01:31:21.167 --> 01:31:27.500 of fighting, suffering, bravery, and loss until the final victory. 01:31:30.010 --> 01:31:35.859 Restoration Producer: KAREN SHAKHNAZAROV 01:31:36.750 --> 01:31:40.750 © MOSFILM CINEMA CONCERN, 2020 01:31:41.333 --> 01:31:45.583 END OF FILM ONE