This isn't a deep movie; and I'm honestly tired of reading that it's somehow a Russian propaganda flick. After all, it was the USSR - the Soviet Russia and its fellow Republics - who broke the Nazi back at tremendous cost to itself, through an existential struggle, and the Russians should make more movies about that horrendous war to make their side of the story heard, if you ask me. When I say "Russians," I mean all the nations of the USSR of course - including the Ukrainians, Belorussians, Georgians, Kazakhs and many others.

By the same token, every war movie is propaganda... and it's worth watching such stories made by many countries and not just one.

This particular movie feels quite customised for the modern western audience, what with the love story and the choice of ending. But the action kept me on the edge of my seat, and the main story arc of the complex relationship between the Russian and the Nazi officers is genius, I thought. The scenes filmed in the German countryside are humorous and clever, and a nice break from the horror of the tank warfare. The battle scenes are detailed, cruel, and exciting. They're also a welcome relief from the Hollywood cliches.

My verdict - great entertainment, and a wonderful story of human perseverance and an almost routine, humble heroism. One star off for the love story that I personally didn't care for.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable WW II movie, with excellent acting, direction and special effects.

The story is about the struggle of a brave and determined Russian tank commander and his handful of men, and a courageous woman he met in a Nazi POW camp. A single Russian T-34 tank has to get past multiple German Tiger tanks for the group to survive.