I don't particularly like Tarantino. My husband does. It reminds you more of a spaghetti western as it goes on, as the music slightly changes to the western twang soundtrack of Clint Eastwood movies.

However.... I found some of the other criticism here unjustified. I didn't think the acting was that wooden. Nazi soldiers in rank aren't going to show much character. People freezing to death in the snow are likely to be a bit stiff-faced. The humour wasn't way out ridiculous slapstick humour (like Tarantibo's deadly Western saloon turning into a vampire den. Instead, it was little things which could actually happen. As for the translations being wrong...I speak German and didn't think they were incorrect. I thought the young soldiers forced to translate death and bodily harm threats were actually Paraphrasing intentionally to try to help and calm people. In fact, I found THEIR acting really great. With very little change in facial expression, only their eyes, they managed to convey their horror and grief at at atrocities they were required to do.

And give them credit, it looked awfully cold!

Last, there was a good twist or two in the film

I liked it. Much much better than the last couple films I've seen.

I was quite impressed with every aspect of this production. I seen a number of Russian films and they do seem to insist on quality work. Artistic, realistic abilities are not short here. The plot is straight forward but the directing makes it so interesting, one yearns for the next scene, trying to anticipate upcoming action. Sets are real looking because there's no stage shooting, all on location. Props are as real as you can get but I'm sure someone can find a discrepancy. Wardrobe is accurate to the time and place as far as I can tell. But isn't that what the director wants? A believable story. One that just might be true?

I had fun watching it. I was expecting your usual Russian war flick with an invincible hero. Well it is that but with an Anthony Mann western approach with a touch of Sergio Leone. The tension was extremely high throughout with well placed humor. Very well done!