DE ASIS, Carl Rodrick G.

Reaction paper in Russian film “Battle for Sevastopol”

It's a weird time to see a joint Ukrainian and Russian film project to come out,
considering the breakdown in relations between the two countries. The production apparently
begun before the conflict, and it's an achievement in itself that it's been seen through, since a
project like this probably wouldn't be possible today.

Coming in the wake of Russian WWII-themed schlock like Stalingrad (2013), I didn't
expect too much, and there was a somewhat similar, almost gaudy quality present, but overall the
movie was much more decent, particularly considering that its budget was about 5 times smaller
than Stalingrad's. The actors were well cast, with Yuliya Peresild's performance creating a main
character that can grow on you, and some interesting supporting characters. This brings me to the
point that, despite the title, the movie's focus isn't as much on the port city of Sevastopol as it's
on the Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, and the movie being called "Battle for Sevastopol"
betrays an apparent lack of confidence in selling a biopic of a female sniper. There's a fair
amount of action in the movie, however, so I don't think that the kind of people who wouldn't go
for a biopic would come away disappointed or feeling mislead.Lyudmila Pavlichenko is a good
student who can never match the ideals of her austere NKVD, Officer father. Then war breaks
out and it is discovered that she is a crack shot. So, she is made to join the snipers after the
Germans invade in 1941 through Operation Barbarossa. She is also a woman with the needs of
such and has already attracted a few suitors, one is aspiring doctor – however, she is more
enamoured with her commanding officer.

The fates of war mean that you must seize today what may be gone tomorrow and that is
a theme that is a constant throughout this. It follows the plight of the Russians as they retreat
across their vast country until they can build up their forces to give the invading Nazi's the
righteous kicking they so keenly deserve. This though ends with the stand at Sevastopol and
Lyudmila's personal and actual battles on and off the field of battle.

Now the action scenes are all very good, the character development is fine too. The
acting is all above average and the CGI is good in most parts. Some of the Americans are dubbed
though which I always find annoying but that is a small gripe for what is in the main part a good
war film with full on emotions thrown in for added pathos and drama; this is not up to the caliber
of say 'The Admiral' but is still deserving of a watch.