Velikaya Otechestvennaya

In its time, this was an absolutely extraordinary project in terms of scale and depth of processing, which aimed to provide information to the American public about the Eastern Front, as during the Cold War, knowledge about the former ally during World War II was minimal. American and Western society in general believed that the victory over the Axis powers was secured by the Western allies, and they knew almost nothing about the suffering and heavy battles in the Soviet Union. There was also widespread misinformation from the Wehrmacht, which downplayed the crimes committed by German soldiers on the Eastern Front and, on the contrary, emphasized the barbarism of the Red Army. The series consisted of 20 episodes, which covered all periods of the war from its political causes to the victory. For example, one episode was dedicated to the massive movement of people and technology in the deep rear during the retreat to preserve economic production, while another depicted the fate of American convoys and economic aid to the Soviet Union. All important battles and operations on the Eastern Front were mapped out. Previously unknown material was used thanks to the collaboration of Soviet and American filmmakers and the opening of film archives. It is one of the most significant documentary projects of its time, but it is necessary to emphasize that, logically, it is significantly ideologically influenced and undeniably propagandistic... Overall impression: 70%. (03.06.2009)