Following the advice of Nundanket and Roger l sought out the Finnish film “ Unknown Soldier” on you tube.
The version I found was three hours long with English subtitles. It is beautifully filmed and very moving. I felt a lot of cultural references were going over my head but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the film. It has left me with a desire to read more about the Continuation War . I would thoroughly recommend the film. I was pleased to read elsewhere that the director has a new film about the Lapland War premiering in 2026, one to look out for.
It's a very good movie based upon real events and characters. I read the original book. It's very interesting to read about the 'real' "Antti Rokka":
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/finnish-forces/37006/the-real-life-%22rokka%22-of-the-%22unknown-soldier%22
I will read the book l think when I finish my current novel l am reading. Thanks for the interesting link.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Glad you enjoyed it Alan. I assume it was the 2017 one. The version I watched was the extended release at closer to 5 hours if I recall correctly. My only quibble was the inclusion of the senior officer and his mistress: don’t remember that at all from the book. It doesn’t really add anything in my opinion. I’d recommend reading the book as it will add to your understanding because it can be more direct about the cultural references.
ReplyDeleteAnd if that leads you into finding out about more, there’s a TV miniseries of Under the Northern Star (based on a novel by the same author). This gives more socio-political background (with Lt Koskela’s family as the main thread).
Chris/Nundanket
Book is certainly on my to do list. I was interested in the Lutheran aspect in terms of the hymns we heard. It reminded me of the fatalism/bravery or whatever of the Swedes under Charles xii and the idea of if it is your day to be shot etc…
ReplyDeleteNot that l am comparing the two times and places rather it was a detour my mind took.
I have tried to find the tv series you mentioned online but to no avail yet. I might try the novels if I can’t find it.
Alan Tradgardland