The events through her drawings, for history. But yes her character, and drawings didn't really have an impact on the movie. The lead character should lead the story. I was left disappointed I still liked it but I wish it wouldn't have changed so much. Besides the performances from the actors and actresses.The film is good, although I must say that a lot of the original material was cut out in this movie. In general, the film is nice and I think it fulfills something very important. It reveals, especially to those who don't have much knowledge of these facts, that this part of the history also existed. Main reason why the book was written.

'Ashes in the Snow' is a war drama that tugs at the heartstrings. Note, this is not a film about soldiers on the battlefield. Instead, it concentrates on how it affects the people, and in particular Lithuanians.

One can only cringe at the inhumane things humans did during war, simply because their government expected it of them. It turned ordinary men into coldblooded killers. This film also showed us the reluctant soldiers. Men who found themselves in situations they dreaded. Yet, they still had orders to follow...

The acting is very good, especially Bel Powley as heroin Lina. We follow her family as they are taken from the comfort of their home, to a six-week long harrowing journey on a train, to a prison camp in Siberia, and finally to the freezing Laptev Sea. This is an emotional and heartfelt journey sure to set emotions in motion.