A bit heavy-handed

Rating: 6/10 (6 December 2007)

As a war film it was a nice change from the more Western variety I usually see. Good compositions of war's surreal nature and the consistent style of camera work in showing reactions and not the source was a good touch. What special effects that were used- not so good. But the explosions were first-rate.
I guess I was expecting a Peckinpah-esquire twist on "Cross of Iron." What I got was the tired Germans bad, Soviets good theme. The Russian perspective on Partisan warfare and its consequences was nice, however. Let's just not forget the Soviet's rampage through Eastern Europe soon after. -Guess that wouldn't make as entertaining a movie.