Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0014381269925
Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Label: Image Entertainment
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Image Entertainment
Region Code: 1
Release Date: June 21, 2005
Running Time: 157 minutes
Sales Rank: 90023
Studio: Image Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: 1972
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Editorial Review:
Description:
During World War II, five anti-aircraft gunner women discover that a German subversive detachment has landed and must fight for their lives to get the news to headquarters.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Do you miss the USSR?
This is a film for the lovers of the good old days of the USSR. It's the kind of movie we'd have today if George Bush had a man sitting behind the director of every movie made in Hollywood. Having said that, it is a pretty good film, especially for those who like war films. It looks back at WW2 from the vantage point of 1972. The events dealt with in the movie are realistic and the soldiers are presented in a realistic manner. So there's two things different from what you'd find in an American film of that time. The way the story unfolds is predictably Soviet. This film is more accurate historically than the typical American movie of the war made back then. The uniforms and military protocol, as far as I can tell, are on the money. The Germans are also depicted accurately. There is a very interesting scene with one of the girls at her anti-aircraft gun shooting down a German plane. Also accurate. Best of all, there's a great party in the banya with the girls getting steam cleaned. The film has good sound in Russian and subtitles in at least English and French, maybe more. Anybody who collects war films should have this one.
Rating:  - Must see
Here is another great piece of Russian cinema about WW2, alongside Klimov's 'Come and See' and Alekseyev's 'Destiny Of A Man'. There are no high production values to speak of in 'The Dawns Here Are Quiet', the cinematography is workmanlike but the direction is deft and the performances solid. 'The Dawns..' is the compelling story of a raggle taggle artillery unit and their wartime misadventures. Yuri Sorokin plays the hard bitten sergeant who is lumbered with a new unit to knock into shape - to his horror it turns out to be entirely made of women. Imagine Clint in Heartbreak Ridge having to adopt a crew of girl rookies into his crack recon unit....that gives you a good point of reference for the humour and drama that unfolds in this highly under-rated movie. Enjoy.
Come and See
Destiny of a Man
Rating: - A poignant, lyrical film
This film, made in 1972, harks back to an era when, in war movies, emotion and character development were more important than gore and military hardware. This is Soviet Russian film at its finest, with great acting, luminous cinematography, lyrical music, human warmth and empathy, and a bittersweet feeling that infuses joyous and tragic, humorous and heroic events. Although the film clearly isn't a critique of Stalin's blunders and the brutality of communism (it wouldn't have been made otherwise), it still manages to give a feel of the unimaginable sacrifices ordinary Russian people had to make to win the war of annihilation that the Nazis unleashed on them, with very little of the jingoism of official "socialist realism."
The story is set in remote northwest Russia, and starts with the complaints of the village commandant, sergeant-major Vaskov, about the drunken, womanizing crews of anti-aircraft gunners the Red Army keeps sending him. He gets his wish soon enough, when a group of young women gunners arrives to replace the last sad lot. Vaskov at first does not know how to deal with them, then grumpily starts bonding with them.
The story focuses on five of the women, using ironic/stylized romantic flashbacks (shot in color--apart from flashbacks, daydreams and a flash-forward the film is black and white) to acquaint us with their personal stories. Soon enough, one of them discovers two German paratroopers in the woods, and Vaskov sets off with the five women volunteers ... Read More
Rating: - Almost unknown fine WWII Soviet Film
A zori zdes tikhie (1972) ...aka The Dawns Here Are Quiet - is an honest, realistic and very fine Soviet War film which is sadly un-known to the Western audiences. It was directed by a very talented director Stanislav Rostotsky who also made two of my favorite films, Belyy Bim - Chyornoe ukho (1970) ... aka White Bim Black Ear and Dozhivyom do ponedelnika (1969) aka We'll Live Till Monday .
Rostotsky chose perfect cast - the young and unknown performers who all shone in his movie. I also highly recommend the book by Boris Vasilyev of the same title - I still remember the day when I first read that rather short but unforgettable story about five young girls and their corporal Vaskov who was much older and who was not used to deal with the women-soldiers. What started as a comedy, soon became a compelling and gripping drama depicting an unequal fight of the group of five women and their leader against 16 Nazi paratroopers, specially trained and deadly dangerous that penetrated deep beyond the front-line.
Rating: - A Masterwork...it should be viewed by all....
I cannot top the above review for detail or passion. I can add to it by saying this filmed should be viewed and studied by all...especially old, corrupt men who send youngsters thousands of miles to do their bidding.
This film is one of defense, loyality, love of country and culture and is also a striking example of WWII Soviet womanhood. The characters are so rich and thoughful and the direction expands their emotions and fears, hopes and dreams. Absolutely first rate.
Russian cinema is not about happy endings...because war, even in victory, is tragic. Yet it is about hope and courage, two things sadly missing from todays society.
It is also a chance for others to see how advanced Soviet culture was concerning things as common as simple nudity. Here it's celebrated and cultivated, in Western cinema it would've been considered evil or base. By the same token the film chooses not to gush blood from wounds etc...something Western cinema relishes and finds 'acceptable.' One has to wonder who's culture is truly rich and natural...and non explotive.
I adored this film...one of my favorites now. Please give it a chance and I'm quite sure you'll learn something both rich and valuable. If I could give this film 10 stars I gladly would....
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