Under Fire : Soviet Women Combat Veterans of WW II 2004
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Produced by Noel Jules-Dehner
Directed by Sergei Linkov
VHS, color, 27 min.
Jr. High - Adult
World War II, Women's Studies, Asian Studies
Date Entered: 10/13/2005
Reviewed by Michael Fein, Coordinator of Library Services, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VAThe horror and death of the Eastern Front in the Second World War was such that the Soviet Union mobilized nearly a million girls and women to serve in their armed forces, the largest such mobilization in history. Besides what many would see as the more traditional role of medic/nurse, these women served in communications (and did very well) as pilots, and even as snipers. This short production gives a cursory introduction to their contribution to the victory over National Socialist Germany. The viewer is shown several veterans relate their wartime experiences. Let’s just say that these women had, and doubtless still have, a lot of chutzpah. The stories they tell still bring back the pain of loss as well as the exhilaration of conquest. Besides the scenes we have of the veterans speaking, there are still photos of these brave women in their youth. In addition, there is archival film footage, both Soviet and German. The sound is very good and the music very appropriate. All in all a top-notch production.