All language subtitles for Velikiy perelom (Fridrikh Ermler, 1945).english

THE TURNING POINT

The city is burning.
What about the 7th?

No news yet. At 1 AM the Germans pierced
the front again. In Dachny district.

They're counting on blitzkrieg before
there's a second front. I'm afraid if

we surrender the city, tomorrow we'll
have a second and even a third front.

What do you mean?

Friends. In the Far East
and in the Near East.

The fall of the city shall be
a signal for action to them.

They wouldn't dare.

They won't dare if we
survive this onslaught.

Yes.

When we stop it depends
on many things.

When we find people who can take
control of the situation.

Well, Vinogradov is
a strong general.

He's not in command
of this front anymore.

Since when?
Since today.

And who is?

Ivan Andreyevich, I recall you
had an encounter with Von Klaus

during winter campaign.
I have some questions for you.

Comrade Commander,
commander of 21st Army

Lt Gen Krivenko
insists upon his plan.

What do we do, my friend?
We don't have sufficient reserves.

I recommend to compensate
the shortage of forces

with additional weapons.
You are neglecting defence.

- Comrade Commander, permission...
- Thank you. I will send for you.

Take a seat, Pyotr Mihaylovich.

Now it'll be easier for you to
explain yourself openly.

Vladimir Nikitich, pardon me. I've
just met General Batalov in your HQ.

It turns out that his units
are already being unloaded.

Yes, reserve forces are
being shifted to the front.

But I have no orders from supreme
command on this subject.

We have orders to save the city.

Its fall is equal to death.

It is necessary to shift all
reserves to this objective immediately.

To beat them in order to stop them.

It'll be too late tomorrow.

Vladimir Nikitich, circumstances
shall justify our initiative!

No. I'm used to carrying
out my orders precisely.

What concerns the front
reserves, have a look...

There are 10 divisions
grouped near Mikhaylovka.

Today or tomorrow...

we might have to deal with the new
breach and flanking of the 7th.

I have to spare these
reserve forces in order

to prevent a catastrophe
and withdraw the army.

To defend the city is what we've got to
do, instead of withdrawing the army.

General Krivenko,
that is my final decision.

New commander of the
front arrives today.

- Colonel General Muravyov.
- Muravyov?!

- Comrade Commander?
- Yes.

Colonel General Muravyov asked
to contact him at 7th Army.

He went across the farms
straight from the airfield.

- What?
- To the site of the breach.

What are you doing here?

Searching for my regiment,
Comrade Colonel General.

And where's the subdivision
under your command?

Perished during the
defence of the hill.

And you?

At the appointed hour I left the
encirclement together with 3 soldiers.

Where's the third one?

I'm here, Comrade Colonel General.
Been assisting in dousing fires.

We've met before,
you're a seasoned soldier.

That's correct.

We've been fighting from the
very border and then back again.

- Back again?
- Correct.

Good.

I'm not leaving this room until
you restore the administration!

But the HQ without cov...

- Shut up. [incomprehensible rant]
- But, Comrade Commander...

Shut up! Where's Orlov?
Why isn't he attacking? Why?

Good day.

Comrade Colonel General, the situation
is such that I'd bawl my head off.

Comms bombed... losing control.
Allow me to report the situation.

Let's go to your place
first, General. To undress...

Here, please.

- It's bad, Minute.
- It'll get better.

Since we've arrived,
it's just a matter of minutes.

Minute... we shall have to endure much.

My god! Kiril! Honey!

- Hello.
- Well, how's the girl?

Seen her. She's healthy.

- I have a seriously wounded man...
- I'm in a hurry as well.

- Wait, why are you here?
- I came to see you.

Well, how is she?
Walking around?

Walking around, being naughty.
Got a letter for you.

Really?

What else?

- Are you really in command?
- Why "really"?

That's bad, Kiril. So bad.
It would be better if you weren't here.

- I can't stay any longer.
- I will come by. Where's your camp?

I don't know, Kiril.
I don't know anything.

- I'll find you, I'll see you.
- See you.

Major Korshunov.

- Whose car is that?
- Lt General Panteleyev's.

And where is he?

Atop the hill,
Comrade Colonel General.

Commander of local defences,
Lt Gen of engineering troops Panteleyev.

How do you do!

- With whom do I have the honour?
- I'll be in command over the front.

I thought so.

It's customary to look by
yourself and think over...

To have a look at what?

Well, see...

This line.
The so called centre defence line.

Batallions, units, positions...
this is it.

And there's the city.

The last frontier.
And it's already burning.

We won't make it?

If we don't make it...
I'll burn the plains.

Yes, this requires some heavy thinking.
What's been decided in Moscow?

I assumed you'd bring
General Staff's plans.

It's a good city.

But, dammit,
if encounters were decided by

analysis, there would
be no encounters.

Measure, calculate and
decide who's victorious.

But there is also
will and necessity.

We must win. We cannot lose. In order
to do that we must hold the city.

Yes, General Staff demands that.
But there

are also mistakes, miscalculations...

We have to look for the
slightest fallacy,

Klaus's miscalculation
and hold on to that.

Well, there's no need to look
for long to find the 1st one.

It's sufficient to look at the map.

Here!

It's as if Klaus is entering a pocket!

He's exposing his flanks to an attack.

- If we had vast reserve forces...
- Let's take flanks into account.

But,
it's probably not a miscalculation.

He's not worried for his flanks.

He's certain that the overwhelming
vehicle superiority will

allow him to deal with
the city so fast,

that we won't have
enough time to gather

sufficient forces for an
attack on their flanks.

Once the city is snatched from
us, they either destroy the

defending army or drive them across
the river, neutralizing them.

Thus Klaus frees all his main forces.

He turns the front northwards,
and any flank danger is gone.

On the right, the river,
which hampered our

defence, now helps them,
covering the flanks.

And the whole huge fist can
strike at the armies threatening

them, which...
we won't even be able to concentrate.

That is an infallible calculation
for time and speed.

So, first off... let's find
a flaw and gain some time.

That's correct, but the front
reserves are not sufficient for that.

We would have to use strategic reserves
for that purpose, and then we won't

have the forces to use
against the German flanks.

It's a bewitched circle.

Secondly and most importantly.
Do not touch the strategic

reserves under any circumstances.
And that's sacred.

What news have you brought
about the second front?

Are you counting on being
rescued by the second front?

I want only to caution,
that if we manage to stop the Germans,

they would transfer new divisions
until they achieve the result.

Well then...
let's draw another conclusion.

It's not enough to stop,
we need to smash them.

It's not enough to smash, we must rout
them, so that they don't recover soon.

To set such a task
under current circumstances...

You know who sets such tasks for us!

- Now they're yours to deal with.
- Right. Ours.

And still, Klaus once again overrates
his capabilities and underrates ours.

- First of all, artillery.
- Yes, that's our strongest point.

- But we're short of it.
- Don't worry, there'll be more.

Meanwhile...

It's necessary for every
army to reserve no less

than 30 to 40 heavy
cannons for the front,

to create a front unit of
long-range artillery.

In the decisive moment,
fire's in a fist.

Kiril Stepanovich, what about ammo?

For now we're transporting it
using the only available road.

But it'll be cut off as well.

- And the new route?
- It'll be ready in a month.

Evacuation from factories deprives
us of a considerable inflow, and takes

freight cars from us as well, thus
further slowing ammunition supply.

Vladimir Vikentyevich, you are
the very inexorable fact.

That's a sad role. It's very hard for
me to leave you such an inheritance,

and I can say nothing to console you.

Vladimir Vikentyevich,
you are my teacher

and were in command of this front.

I understand it's going to be
hard, but it has to be so.

I propose you stay as my second
in command or as chief of staff.

If it's necessary, I'm ready
to do my duty in any capacity.

Hello, Comrade Lavrov.
How are you feeling?

What a feeling!

Over 5000 of our workers
are fighting with you.

We will give you twice as
many sturdy, trained men.

Just untie our hands.
We must make haste to

evacuate the largest
factories of the Union.

And we still have no insight into
how many days, how many echelons...

Evacuation of factories is cancelled.

Has the danger been averted?

Vladimir Vikentyevich, how much
ammunition can we count on?

Gradual destruction of factories
during the 1st week...

Due to repairs, we get...

Due to a loss of a certain percent
of the labour force, we get...

I think the factories will be totally
destroyed by no sooner than a month.

We used to calculate like that.
How production rates would go up

with every week, how these factories
would grow, fill with power...

Why are you still wearing
civilian clothes?

I've brought the orders appointing
you to the war council.

But we've evacuated the Ukrainian
industry, factories of the west...

An empty city won't defend the armies.

By the way, move the front's
HQ out of the city immediately.

How far?

So that the cannonade won't be
heard. We need to think inside the HQ.

Yes? For you.

Yes-yes.
Right.

It has begun. Mikhaylovka
is under attack. Yes. What?

Impossible!
Came himself?

Alright. I'll be right there.

7th has captured a staff officer.

Klaus.

Nerves.

Your name.

I won't say anything.
That's enough.

I haven't slept for three days.
I raced 600 km in a car, then on foot...

I can't stand it anymore.
I'll tell everything.

I know everything.
But first of all... to sleep.

- What, have you beaten him?
- How could we, Comrade Colonel General?

We know the intelligence. Conversely,
he was scratching like a cat,

see how he bit my hands. Well, he
did get a little, that's for sure.

How did you capture him?

In the morning Germans
drove us out of Mikhaylovka.

Our lieutenant said this won't do.
We've driven them back...

and kept them there. Then he just
burst in, driving his car.

Our lieutenant says: get him to HQ ASAP!
I went, but there were no cars.

We had to go on foot.
And here I really...

I didn't really give him any rest.
Heavy devil.

So, the German is heavy?

Well, yeah. Heavy when angry.
And if you walk him

like that without rest, his fuel tank
empties at once. Our men are tougher.

- Well done. You've done a great job.
- Right. Our lieutenant is a real hero.

Wake him up and get the essentials,
while he's in such state.

More about von Klaus. Then let him get
his sleep and bring him to me.

I want to see him fresh.
Let's go!

- Affirmative.
- Come on!

You'll translate. Let him think I don't
speak German. I want to observe.

Affirmative.

I speak Russian.

Superb!
So we'll speak entirely openly.

Sit down.

- Well...
- I won't tell anything.

And what could you tell?
You brought a map of the General HQ.

What possessed you to drive in, Major?
And what will General von Klaus say?

- I was following orders to the letter.
- What a guy!

It's noted on the map that Mikhaylovka
will be taken before the 12th...

and he runs head over heels without a look
back because these are the regulations.

And what if the situation does not
go according to regulations?

It's not you laughing, it's me.

The German offensive machine
has been launched.

Very soon you'll be sitting
before me like I sit before you.

You're insolent!
Leave!

Carry on the interrogation. You, look.
They're giving us only six days.

Mikhaylovka's marked
for taking today, the 19th,

city on the 25th (6 days), then Saratov
on August 10, Kuybyshev on the 15th,

and Arzamas on September 10.
That's another blow on Moscow.

Do you understand?

We are just a short episode.
To deal with us outright,

turn north, cut communications with
Moscow and somewhere there,

in some conclusive battle, in one blow,
win Moscow, the campaign,

perhaps even the war. This major shows
the style of whole strategy. Insolent!

Klaus is insolent!
Hitler is an insolent gambler!

Germans have taken Mikhaylovka...

- When?
- Two o'clock.

105th repelled all the
attacks, but tanks

burst in and came
from the rear...

All the same they're insolent!

Today is the 20th.
We shall gain two hours.

And so at every step... to yank
out an hour, a day, a week. Time!

- That's the essential link now.
- I'd recommend to pull out the army.

No way! Defend every line
until the final opportunity.

Counterattack without stopping,
anywhere it's possible.

Walk them, walk these
scoundrels without any rest.

They're encircling me. The 105th
division is already in a pocket.

All the same. Other armies will
take care of this wedge.

Here's where you've dug yourself in!
Hello, Petron. Hi, pal!

- You?
- Me.

Hello, Kiril.

- Yura, the wine!
- No-no, I'm not drinking now.

Well, I'm not talking about vodka.
Come on, take your coat off.

You know, nobody is as happy as me.
Have you seen Lisa?

I did,
met her accidentally on the road.

- Could you please feed my driver?
- Minutka's with you? Bring him here!

What news did you bring from Moscow?
When's the second front starting?

To hell with that.
What did they tell you in General HQ?

Don't give up the city,
smash the Germans.

But we are giving up the city, Kiril.

Our Vinogradov trembles over the
reserve forces. He puts hope

in his defence zones, but has
given up the city in his heart.

Defence general!

- It's good that at least you've come.
- May I enter?

- Come on in!
- Hello, Minutka-Golden-Hands!

I wish you health!

Take a seat by the table.

Proud officer.

Here, drink up.

To victory.

He's not a driver. He's the
general amongst drivers.

And feed him as a general.
Understood?

- Permission to be relieved?
- Go on.

You know, Kiril, it's right.
For now Klaus has the

overwhelming dominance in
terms of forces and machines.

Besides, mobility... eat, eat, brother.
And to hope to stop

him using measured forces of
the whole front is stupid.

They're breaching
anywhere they please.

That is correct. You won't get
far on stupid linear tactics.

No, you'll go far. God forbid,
over the Ural. Look.

Look at what my army can do! Just give
us divisions, especially tank divisions.

Is that the new commander?

They change frequently.
Harsh front.

I'd sooner lose my head
than they change him.

Invincible?

Give me pepper.

Here you go, Comrade Driver General.

Here, do you understand?
To attack with all

the available forces, compensate
shortages by manoeuvres.

Risky? Yes.
But it'll get hopeless further on.

But here's what's bitter, Kiril.
An inflated figure, that Klaus.

Not by operative skill, but by sheer
force is he driving like that.

Let's attack their flank, smash them,
and they'll roll back to Kraut's mother.

Well, then, let's do so.

- When?
- Right away.

- Today.
- You're joking?!

I'm not.
Perhaps, you were joking?

But when will reserve
divisions make it?

There won't be any reserve
divisions for now.

Last night the Germans
broke through at Mikhaylovka.

And they're surrounding the 7th.

- And it's pulling back?
- No, it's not pulling back.

They're fighting at the final
frontiers, and waiting

for you to immediately
strike at the German flanks.

If you won't defeat them,
then at least stop them.

You have enough forces for that.

- So to work for the Uncle [Sam] again?!
- No.

Not for the Uncle, but for the victory.

Listen, Kiril, I may be
confusing something.

I'm a soldier,

I want victory for our nation,
for the whole of our front,

but I'll tell you the truth:
I want, with all my guts,

I want this to be the
victory of my army!

My victory! Understand?
For everyone, but mine.

You bet! A general who doesn't
want fame isn't worth a damn.

Do you think I don't want it?

Yet, what you've in mind is too little.
I want more.

Too little? What do you promise?

General Krivenko, I haven't come to
propose, but to demand.

Why have you gotten so sour?

It's shameful.
I've been preparing

an attack and believed it
would save the city.

Now to spread the forces again
and save the situation.

But what's next?

Celebrations shall come
to our streets, as well.

Good, good. Move 113th.
Oh, it'll take it.

To Rudenko at once.
Tell him, I'll skin him.

Where is Golosovsky?
I've taken sovkhoz, (?) aviation.

Comrade Commander,
the Germans have engaged new divisions.

- Attack, Krivenko, attack.
- Give me just one division.

No. I've given you all I had.

- Regroup and attack.
- The attack is failing.

They're sending division after division.
We won't get through.

Comrade Commander, General Vinogradov
requests to the line.

Listen, Kiril, the victory is out there.
Couple of divisions, and here it is...

Attack!

Vinogradov? Me.

How? What?

Allo! Vinogradov?

Get the line in order at once!

Damn!

Shut the door!

Leave it to the devil!

Why feed the devil sandwiches,
if we can eat them ourselves?

Will there be communications?!

Comrade Commander,
the rupture's been found.

We can't approach it yet,
they're firing mortars.

I'm giving you 5 minutes, otherwise
you'll crawl there by yourself.

- Stop that! General Krivenko and a map.
- Yes, sir.

Comrade Commander, allow me...
I'll be back in a minute.

Go, Minutka.

The Germans have breached the 7th.
A little over a 100 tanks

are rushing towards the city.
There's nothing to stop them.

Alright, I'll attack non-stop.
Will you give me reserves now?

No, not now. I can't decide on
that under such circumstances.

You know, it's as if I'm going mad!

Feels like it's
Vinogradov talking, not you.

I'm going to remind you
who's talking to you.

Victory, Victory, Victory...
Victory? There!

Vinogradov? Yes. Me.

By all means... in short... faster!

...mine the approaches!
Where there's no time,

use smoke screen to fool the enemy.
Allo-allo! Vinogradov?

Yeah-yeah-yeah, it's Vinogradov.
Understood, it'll be done.

Here's hoping we can hang on
until the reserves arrive

I threw a brigade towards the breach.
I'm afraid it won't make in time.

Got it. Contact with Lavrov.
Who else is there?

General Panteleyev.
Utter lack of artillery.

Long-range group to the left bank,
the river will act as cover.

Understood.

For now use all of the city's flaks.
I'm heading over myself.

Fine, fine. Krivenko is
commencing the attack.

105th has breached the siege.

Colonel Voronkov is expecting you.
He had brought

- ...documents and your wife's belongings.
- What?!

What? You told him already?

What happened?

Comrade Colonel General,
Commander of the

7th sent me directly to the Commander.

Let's go. Meanwhile report to me.
Commander's wife has been killed.

Then she said: "I feel sorry for
the girl. I'll never see her."

She was buried in the plains.
I levelled the place,

so that it wouldn't get desecrated,
and I marked in on the map.

In what condition was the
division brought out?

Losses up to 60%.
We salvaged the material.

- Where are you quartered?
- Arabat villages.

You deserve a rest, but you're
standing closest to the breach.

Put division in cars and transfer them
to the city, to the factories.

- Proceed to the strategic unit commander.
- Affirmative.

Kiril Stepanovich...

I understand it's hard for you.
I wouldn't dare to bother you...

You're wasting time. Report!

An Officer from Studentsov has flown in.
The whole 7th front has been

driven north of the city. As such,
there are only factory squads there.

Comms with the city have been
interrupted, yet there are

reports that the Germans have
already entered the city.

Excuse me, Vladimir Vikentich...

Perhaps we've really gone too far.

Have you called in the commanders
of the reserve armies?

Yes. Meeting is at 00:30.

Is it really the end?

Kiril Stepanovich,
these are the final hours.

You know I rarely agree
with General Krivenko,

but if it is possible
to save the city,

it's only by
immediately sacrificing

strategic reserves.
If it's possible at all.

Alright. It may be so.

Nevertheless, verify this report.

The city has fallen.

After a many weeks
of bloody battles...

breaking the vehement
Bolshevik resistance...

the armies of General
von Klaus conquered one

of the last bastions
of Russian defence.

The meeting will probably be delayed.
Commander's

been requested to the
line by General Staff.

General Muravyov report city situation

and fulfilment of General Staff's plan.

Germans have rushed.

Nobody knows how it would've ended
up if not for Krivenko's manoeuvre.

It's not over yet.
The Germans are in the city.

Attaboy, Krivenko.

- There's a candidate for his post.
- Whose, his?

Commander!

Proceed.

Please, be seated.

Comrade Commander, according to
your order, people receiving

- ...decorations have been summoned.
- This is not the time.

It's exactly the right time.

We are responsible for the situation.
They have done their duty.

Report on the situation.
I want to know opinions

of those in attendance.
Keep it brief, please.

Alright, I will try.

Tanks advancing during the night towards
northern industrial regions were met

and held up for more than ten hours by
factory privates' persistent resistance.

By that time the Germans
had driven the 7th Army

south and engaged the infantry...

Comrade Commander,
let me explain.

Do you think it would
improve the situation?

By that time the 105th
division had arrived,

and a long-range artillery unit
was on the eastern riverbank.

Its fire had held up the enemy.
Sure, it was already in the city,

between Koltsevaya street
and the factories.

Yes, a small ravine.

Finally, continuous attacks
of General Krivenko's

21st Army from the north
played the decisive role.

It covered a section of the breach
and is holding it for now.

Excuse me for being late.
I've been held up by the Germans.

Only your stalling of
the Germans excuses you.

Go on!

Germans have been stopped,
but they have breached

the city and are in control
of a substantial part.

General Krivenko's success
gives us some rest,

but there is no doubt
it won't be a long one.

We must use this rest to soberly
evaluate the situation and lighten

the consequences of a potential
catastrophe as much as possible.

Heavy conditions in the city
and the position of the 21st Army,

which is about to be
driven into the river

urge us to consider a series of measures
in case of abandonment of the city.

I have prepared an order to collect all
barges, motorboats, and all the other...

Did you discover the source of false
information about the fall of the city?

- I'd say "inaccurate".
- Remove and court-martial him.

- Do you wish to continue?
- No.

Allow me! The 21st Army declines these
reserves of transport and barges.

Courage of a commander is not
in a cavalryman's bravery,

but in the ability to fearlessly
assess the situation.

No use arguing.
Circumstances themselves dictate

who was right and what
must be done now.

It's clear that the
city can still be saved

through an immediate
attack by all forces.

- What forces?
- Two generals here.

Their two intact armies are enough to
drive the Germans out of the city.

Supreme command's plans
are not known to me,

but it is clear that reserves
are drawn for a counterattack.

And it is also clear to me that
any attack plan would crumble,

pardon, if we give up the city.

Summon him. So, you're saying
"a little ravine", Ivan Anisimovich?

Correct.

I venture to put it as a paradox:
regrettably, but by letting

the Germans into the city we've
acquired defence strength.

Firstly,
in the city the Germans lose the

advantage of highly
manoeuvrable tanks.

Defence of the burning suburban
outskirts was hellishly difficult.

Stone buildings in the centre
are less susceptible to fire,

they form a good sector for
surveillance and bombardment,

and urban ruins particularly
make it a solid position.

The French, by giving up Paris,
lost an irreplaceable anti-tank position.

But this is no Paris! Just a thin strip
of rubble, thoroughly bombardable.

Precisely! Precisely no Paris. One has
to be Russian to make such a sacrifice.

But the rear?

The rear? If you walk along the

riverside, in vicinity
of the blue kiosk,

the bank is high and abrupt, and during
a bombardment it creates... dead space,

where it's possible to accommodate HQs,

reserves and even manoeuvre
along the front.

It's tight, it's tight,
but it can be done.

Time passes by,
and we talk about the

decisive engagement as
if about a new flat!

I agree, I'm not arguing... I suppose
if there's need... it's possible.

Allow me.
Lieutenant Fyodorov has arrived.

Lieutenant Fyodorov reporting
in response to your summons.

For the heroic defence
of house No. 48...

you have earned a decoration.
I congratulate you.

Yet this is not all.
From now on every house will be

deciding the fate of the city's
defence, of the whole front.

I warn you: for surrendering a house
you will answer with your life.

Comrade Commander, I am responsible for
my position as long as I'm holding it.

I'm asking you to order not to
call me to HQ without necessity.

It's tough, my friend, I know.
And I can't promise

it'll get better soon.
It'll be even worse.

We won't leave here. There's no
land for us on the other shore.

You can go.

This splendid officer
will never be executed.

If he can't fulfil his
task, he will die a hero.

Highest-ranking officers don't
have such an opportunity.

I'm recalling the order for
actions in case of the

city's abandonment.
Such a case is ruled out.

General Studentsov,
you must hold the beachhead

on the western shore
by any means possible.

Or you'll be responsible for everything.

I'm assigning the city's defence
to the 21st Army.

Comrade Commander,
if everything stays as

it is,
I can't vouch for the city's fate.

Lt General Panteleyev, I order
you to take command over the 21st Army.

Are you displacing me as a commander
who has failed to accomplish his task?

No, as a man who might
not be able to handle it.

I'm asking General Panteleyev and war
council member Lavrov to stay.

Excuse me.

Pyotr!

General Krivenko!

You wanted to stay at my place.
Pyotr, you know what happened?

Comrade Commander, allow me to
go dress a wound I received

- ...while in command of the 21st Army.
- You are wounded?

Go.

Ivan! A car!

Home! To the farm.

Pyotr Mikhailovich,
you can't ride for 35 km unbandaged.

- You'd better...
- No time! To the Army! Quickly!

Go and take over the army
without further ado.

Relocate HQ to the city.

Anyone who shows up on the eastern shore
without an order shall go on trial.

Good luck, Ivan Anisimovich.

Vladimir Vikentich, Krivenko
is wounded. Take care of him.

Kiril Stepanovich...

If a change of command were needed,

it would've been possible
to do it differently.

You unjustly insulted
him in everyone's presence.

He is loved, the army believes in him.

If General Krivenko doesn't
believe it's possible to

hold the city, better not to
believe General Krivenko.

Well, well...

You'd better think about it.

Vladimir Vikentich,
nominate Krivenko for

decoration for a brilliantly
executed operation.

Kiril Stepanovich, I do
understand that all you've said

and decided today has also
been directed against me.

Why haven't you drawn your conclusions?
I ask you not to reckon with me.

It's hard, Vladimir Vikentich.

Assuming we had abandoned the city,
the river would have served

as a mighty defensive frontier
behind which it would

have been easier for
us to hold the front.

I concede we won't hold the city.

Then it's tough for me to think about the
sacrifices we're going to make.

Do you reckon we've lost the war?

I haven't said that. The war
is already won. But only the absence

of the second front has created
the present situation.

And only the second front can solve it.
It should form sooner or later.

Correct. Correct as always.

Then, having saved the army,
we will regain the city. And advance!

Along with allies...

Oh, dear Vladimir Vikentich...

Each one of us can be
displaced and put elsewhere,

where we would be more useful.

Krivenko is right in a way.
And you are right.

And the Germans and our friends
throughout the whole world.

And many of us think in our hearts it
is impossible to grab hold on this bank.

But we need to. To correctly judge
and use the circumstances,

to draw feasible objectives... any
talented military leader can do that.

But only a true general
sets an objective and

creates the necessary
circumstances himself.

You are withholding something.

I don't understand what you want to say.

What I'm about to tell
you is an absolute secret.

Only you and few people selected
to work with you will know this.

I mean the supreme
command's overall plan.

Hey, fellow, you're
all covered in blood.

Fetch the doctor immediately.

Lady, hot water.
Help me.

Oh, you already.
I'll get up soon.

- I will get up. Army...
- Sure, sure. But first, fellow...

Easy... easy... easy...
Scissors! Call the staff commander.

I'll turn over...
I'll turn over the army.

You won't dare...

You won't dare to give up the city.

- How will you hold it?
- I'll hold it, fellow, I'll hold it.

- You alive?
- Alive.

Well, fine, fine.
The house is collapsing,

that's good,
our cover will be heavier.

Comrade Lieutenant,
Sidorov and Ivanov have been killed.

Return to your post.
Litvenko, take my place!

Stay here.

Hold it until your last breath.
Clear?

More accurate fire. Let them
come closer. More accurate!

Affirmative.

Drowned?

The cutter's made it to the other shore.
But on the way here they got us.

You'd better get dry.
And get some sleep.

Well, then. You'll have to go
back to your division now.

Comrade Commander, German
machine-gunners slipped through!

They're shooting grenades
from the precipice.

Everybody, up!

Comrade Commander,
you'd better relocate.

Have a look,
Pyotr Stepanovich, at what's

happening and report back to me.
We'll resume.

Permission, Comrade Commander?

Huh? Go with them, darling,
until we prepare the order.

Take a machine gun, grenades.

No, this is not Shura, but Panteleyev.
It's nothing, I understand.

Go on. I'll write it down.

30 tanks a day?
Thanks, mate, you've cheered me up.

Report to the colonel that General
Panteleyev has heard nothing about

the railway station. When it's
regained, then let him report it.

Comrade Colonel General, how soon?

For 2 months we've been sitting in
the woods without a thing to do.

We intend to organize mass storage for
mushrooms and quail hunting.

Vinogradov called.

A great misfortune has happened.
Gotta drive off.

They say,
Army Supply has been tormenting

you with canned food
and millet porridge.

Well, let's move.

Well, what happened?

- The defensive front's been breached.
- What?

At 5:30 the Germans breached
it in the vicinity of

the factories and came out
at the riverbank.

They moved a fresh
division from Cherbourg

and another on vehicles
from Mikhaylovka.

Panteleyev asks for support.

Shouldn't have! Shouldn't
have let them near the river.

Why say that? Where they've come
through, not a soul has been left alive.

What a force!

Heh, if all this was
moved into the city,

it would have become
easier right away.

Well, move it. You're the boss.

A division from Cherbourg, you say?

Today I saw a damaged German
tank, still in desert colours.

Yeah, they've moved everything
from Africa, from France to us.

Tanks, planes... that's why
the English whipped Rommel.

That's right. Some people have

their hopes solely on
the 2nd front, but the

2nd front itself is
being decided here.

Right. It's not just the fate of the
city. It's the centre of everything.

Success in Africa, the second front,
the duration of war... it's all here.

But most important... to be or not
to be for the Soviet order.

What's there to think?
Relocate one division

to Panteleyev,
I won't give anymore.

We can't go for light success.
Only decisive defeat.

We must break
the course of war here.

Break its spine and stop
it once and for all.

Yes, yes.

Oh, come on in.
I've been expecting you.

Has the wound healed?

Pictures...

Old ones.

Don't you take interest?
Here's von Klaus...

Conqueror of Belgium, hero of Dunkirk.

- Are you preparing for your own Dunkirk?
- Yes, but with a different follow-up.

Forgive me, I didn't know then that...
Lisa had died.

You didn't know many things.
And didn't understand.

I haven't come to talk as a
general, rather as a friend. May I?

Yes.

No, not as a friend.
I can't and I won't pity you.

Alright. Let's talk as a
communist to a communist.

I've been lying for months and waiting.
Not my wound, but my

soul's been hurting. What have
you achieved during this time?

Held the city.

I was there and looked at
the maps. There is no city.

You have a narrow strip of land
and ruins by the riverside.

Some units are in fact blocked...
this shouldn't be tolerated for long!

Shut up! It can't be tolerated
according to orders, but people do.

Because they've decided
to stand till the very end.

People order us to stand.

They, not you, have
accomplished this miracle!

And surrendering the city
now would be a crime.

Yet all is slowly but
steadily coming towards it.

It wouldn't have been so
if you had thrown in all

the forces then.
Von Klaus is dreaming about it.

- You're joking!
- All their calculations assume

we're going to engage
our strategic reserves.

Here, a secret order from
Hitler dated October 14th.

The Russians, who've spent their
forces in the latest battles,

won't be able to replicate
the harsh winter of 1941.

Klaus is imposing this on us, and you're
thinking of it as your offensive dash.

So what are you waiting for?

There's a limit to human strength.
What have you decided?

To take a stand! And it's not I who's
decided it, but the people! Let's go!

Look. This is more
dreadful than you thought.

22 German divisions.
12 of them pushing towards

a narrow strip of
ruins near the river.

Only a handful defending it.

These divisions only exist on the map.

You wouldn't even count
1500 soldiers in some of them.

They're not only holding the line,
they've broken German plans and terms,

they've drawn the German main
forces and reserves to themselves.

They've obtained the most
important thing for us... time.

Klaus had sent his best
divisions to the city.

Just to get over with it sooner.

He's in such hurry that he has taken
almost all divisions from the flanks.

Now, here are the Romanians.
But we...

look, what we've accumulated on
the German flanks during this time.

2 tank corps,
cavalry corps, not to mention

infantry divisions.
There are more to the north.

Tank corps, another tank corps,
3 tank corps. Not enough?

2 cavalry corps.
These are only mobile forces.

So, now you're gonna strike?

No, wait.

You see, Klaus is saving several
elite divisions near Mikhaylovka.

But he'll draw...
draw them in as well.

There are 2 to 3 weeks
left until winter.

If they don't manage
to take the city now,

they will have to either retreat through
the frost or spend the winter in a pocket.

- Either option is risky with such flanks!
- Wait, wait, wait...

That means you want him
to storm the city?

Sure!

Just got to take care
not to miss the boat!

To capture the moment

when their main forces
are gathered within the city,

and then we'll burst onto their
flanks from the north here!

And attack from the south here.

We'll come together
at Mikhaylovka, hug them,

smother them and won't let anyone out.

Do you understand?
Nobody.

How have you endured?
Have you had enough strength?

For sure,
there hadn't been enough.

I remember those days. Only you
held on and didn't give up the reserves.

No, not me.

Why didn't you tell me then?

You could have hinted.

If only we could tell
people everything during wartime...

how much easier would it be?

And you still can't forgive
me for displacing you?

In vain. You didn't believe in it.

Consequently, you would've lost
the city and died yourself.

But I love you, brother.

But that's another matter.

I knew then already,
you restless soul,

...that you have big
things ahead of you.

Excuse me!

Yes, yes, it's time to start.

Make yourselves comfortable, comrades.

- Permission to leave, Comrade Commander?
- Stay here.

General Krivenko has recuperated
and had some rest.

He is appointed as a commander
of one of the new squads.

The supreme commander has ordered
me to explain to you the plan

of our decisive attack
developed by the General Staff.

The plan of our offensive is based
on the assumption that German

attacks will intensify during the
final weeks before the winter,

and Klaus will certainly
try to take the city.

Consequently...

...yet the unforeseen happened.
The Germans ceased attacks

and an ominous silence has set in
throughout the whole front.

Comrade Commander,
house No. 48 entrusted to me...

I know.

Thank you.

It's silent...

It's silent, Comrade Commander.
I'm not used to it and can't fall asleep.

I too have insomnia, brother.

...also...

Here's how German Junkers sound:

"Kiiill, kiiill, kiiill".
Whereas ours:...

Stand up! Attention!

- Comrade Colonel General...
- Rest, rest.

I remember.

Oh, friend, if you'd
get me another major like that...

I need them this much.

It's unlikely we'll get another
such fool riding in here by himself.

They're well schooled by now,
Comrade Colonel General.

But that's nothing. We ourselves
will create an encirclement.

Then we'll find an
enemy to interrogate.

- An encirclement?
- Correct.

We have been schooled by now as well.

Well, well,
I'll be looking forward to it.

Uncomfortable silence.
It's not without reason.

Read the directive from General Staff.

Hour X is the time for our decisive
offensive. So, in a few days...

Glory to you!

We will endure the ordeal.

- It's tough, Ivan Anisimovich.
- Whatever happened is past.

What has he got in mind?

Could he really have gotten wind
of our offensive?

Or is he retreating?
Forget it, they won't retreat.

They have announced
throughout the world:

"We've conquered!
We'll take it tomorrow!"

It's the final bite.
How not to bite it?

Strawberry?

Home-made, consider.
My old lady is a big expert at this stuff.

What happened?

Comrade Commander, 3 days ago Klaus
held a meeting in Mikhaylovka woods.

Apparently, Hitler attended.
Here, correlate with this.

This gentleman wouldn't come to
quarter the troops for winter. No.

Yes, fear! Fear for his prestige
has driven Hitler here!

Fear of the mad Fuhrer shall
drive Klaus toward the city.

Fear of spending the winter in a pot
shall drive the soldiers.

- They will make an assault.
- This was the calm before the storm.

- So we'll forestall it?
- It turns out so.

No, nothing turns out.
They have the advantage of internal

operative lines. If we commence
our attack before theirs,

Klaus will be able to
transfer divisions moved for

the city's assault to the
location of our attacks.

No, no, as tough as it is, we must
bide our time. Let them attack.

They will cling even more to
the city. Then we should strike.

So we have to postpone the
time of our offensive.

Do you understand what happens
if we don't endure?

If we hadn't understood,
we wouldn't have endured.

The onslaught will be much
tougher then we've expected.

We should move more
divisions to the city.

Where from? To pull out offensive
divisions and weaken the blow?

Not to weaken it, Comrade Commander,
but strike it surely.

Putting all power into this attack,
that would do it for sure!

Panteleyev doesn't have
to withstand for long.

We'll commence our
offensive at once.

Then Klaus won't have
the city on his mind.

That's exactly how
von Klaus reasons.

He will also engage all his
forces in one blow,

and he can be through with the
city even before our offensive.

I know, I know...

How much do you need,
Ivan Anisimovich?

Let's not talk about how much
I need. How much can I get?

3... 2 divisions sufficient?

I counted on 3...

Comrade Commander,
for Panteleyev to hold on, it is

necessary to either strengthen
him or weaken the Germans.

The main objective is
indeed to withstand

this first German wave.

We have amassed enough shells in hope
of a lasting increase in their attacks.

- What if...
- Alright!

Unleash all at once,
in half an hour!

Yes, yes, yes. We'll do that.

My fault, Comrade Commander,
I don't quite understand.

I will explain.

I won't give you 3 divisions, I can't.
I'll give you 2. I know,

I know that's too little, but we'll
weaken Klaus's attack by half. How?

1 hour before the German assault,
all of our artillery will

strike their batteries and
forces prepared for the attack.

A whole month's worth of
shell stock will be fired

in half an hour.
So that feathers shall fly!

Klaus won't be able to hold
off his offensive half an

hour before the start.
Like it or not, he'll strike,

yet he'll strike with
half the strength.

Yes, at the root.
If so, we can manage.

Yes, but for that we
must know the exact day

and hour for the German attack.
Awfully risky.

If we delay or are just an hour
ahead of schedule, all is lost.

A bright head you got,
Vladimir Vikentich,

but if you're afraid of wolves,
don't venture into the forest.

Intelligence! Do you realize
what responsibility lies upon you?

Day and hour of the German attack.
Exactly.

Affirmative.

Let's go. We must get in
touch with General Staff.

I have come to really like
you during these tough days.

We've only met, like, 4 times.

I feel your support every minute.

Take care of yourself.

Anyway, take care when possible.

Ivan Anisimovich, I was afraid
you'd wangle 4 divisions from me.

I was certain you'd
give me just one.

Comrade Commander.

A package from General Panteleyev.

Kiril Stepanovich,
the Germans commence at 4 AM.

Sending a German for an interrogation.
Panteleyev.

Sapper.
Captured while demining the passage.

He confirms that
the attack is at 6 AM.

Preliminary bombardment
begins at 4.

Take him away.

It's all confirmed.
We must contact General Staff.

We don't have time. If that's the
truth, we must start immediately.

Well, god of war,
will you not fail us?

No way, Comrade Commander.
We'll make it.

Klaus will strike at half strength.

- Prepare all the artillery!
- Affirmative.

Such a decision without a
confirmation from General Staff...

What if the reports are false?

I said... prepare!

...yes, and stay by the phone.

If we miss the moment, General Staff
won't stroke our heads either.

We must not miss. If we don't open
fire in time, Panteleyev won't hold.

What if we open fire, but there
is nothing going on at 4 AM?

Silence. The Germans do nothing.

God forbid! We'd use up all of
our ammunition, and tomorrow

or in couple of days the
city will no doubt be taken.

But there will be no
such opportunity again.

Missing this moment
means losing as well.

Everything is at stake.

Time is passing by.

May I be beaten. Open fire!
Call them.

Go ahead. Yes, right away.

Ours have finished.
The Germans will start in 20 minutes.

If only they would start...

I vouch for the Germans
to start at 4 AM sharp.

We should hear it now.

Now.

10 past 4...
Nothing's going to happen.

These ten minutes are worth a life.

I knew. I saw how Klaus
hesitated these 10 minutes

from surprise, now he's
advancing like a wounded bull.

- Well, Stepan...
- Alright.

Let's go.

Guys, wounded.

Nikolayev, to Stepan!

We'll make it, we won't die.

- Hold on, Styopa, hold on, hold on.
- I promised...

I got the sapper, but the major...
couldn't get the major.

Hold!

Guys...

They've breached at Koltsevaya.
House No. 48 has been taken.

Wait some more.

Let them bog down more.

Comrade Commander,
3 unidentified divisions have emerged.

What divisions? Nonsense!

Where from?

General Panteleyev has been wounded.
It's serious, legs shattered.

Ivan Anisimovich...

Where did these divisions come from?

Car! Get the best divisions to the city!
The Guard division. I'll go myself.

Well, Minutka, it won't be long now.
Soon. Do you hear, Minutka?

You talking to me,
Comrade Commander?

Faster! Can't you go faster?

But Klaus has lost.

It's simply hysterics now.

Those were the divisions taken
from the flanks.

It's time.

It's time.

- What a march! How Krivenko's tanks go.
- Offensive!

- Vinogradov has broken into Mikhaylovka.
- So, the circle is closed.

Now... to finish them off!

Don't try so hard!

I wish to see the commander.

General von Klaus can negotiate
terms of capitulation only

with a high-ranking officer
authorized by Soviet command.

There will be
no terms of capitulation.

The house is surrounded with artillery
and tank guns aimed at it.

Now you will hear my authorization.

"Victory"? "Victory"? "Victory"?

Lieutenant Fyodorov speaking from
von Klaus' HQ. Is this Pinchuk?

Pinchuk, ask Colonel to
let himself be heard.

Comrade Commander,
he's been brought in.

Take care of him yourself.
I'm interested in Manstein now.

Affirmative.

Permission?

He's sitting out there.

- Thank you, Krivenko.
- Thank YOU, Commander.

Permission?

Well? Did I fail?

It came together like clockwork.
Surrounded and squashed.

I congratulate you, comrades!

The Great Turn has been achieved.

Today at dawn the front
has been breached.

South and centre.

We are just a part of the great
offensive of the whole Soviet front.

To the west! To Berlin!

Moscow speaking.
Order from the supreme commander...