Batalion

It's 1917, and the First World War has been going on for three years. In Russia, the Tsar has been overthrown and the provisional government led by Kerensky has taken power. But the Russian Army is completely demoralized. The Communists aren't yet in power (that would await the second revolution) but "Soldiers' Committees" have been formed that have essentially taken command of entire battalions. Officers aren't obeyed and the soldiers are refusing to fight. All is chaos. The Kerensky government decides to "boost morale" by forming an all-women's battalion under the command of Maria Bochkareva. This movie tells their story.

I always appreciate a movie that fills me in on some history that I wasn't previously familiar with and I had never heard of this story before. Bochkareva's battalion became known as the "1st Women's Battalion of Death" and although there were several women's battalions formed after them, they were the first of only two to go into battle against the Germans. Now, as far as history is concerned - from what I've read since watching this I realize that there's a lot of dramatic licence taken with the story, but the portrayal of Bochkareva - a tough, no nonsense battalion commander who had served in the Russian Army since the outbreak of the war and who refused to allow the formation of a "Soldiers' Committee" in the battalion - by a Russian actress named Mariya Aronova seemed authentic enough and was compelling. Bochkareva believed - and Kernesky agreed - that an all womens' unit (of women willing to fight) would shame the men into doing their duty as well.

It takes a while for the women's battalion to see combat, but once combat is introduced, it's portrayed pretty well and there are a lot of graphic scenes. I will say that it's sometimes difficult to tell the Russians from the Germans - although in some ways I suppose that adds to the chaotic feeling that must be a part of any battlefield. The film is in Russian with well done English subtitles; there's no need to dub it. If I could compare this movie to something western audiences might be familiar with, it struck me as similar in tone and purpose to "Glory" - the story of the first black regiment in the Union Army during the US Civil War. (8/10)

Surviving WWI was a feat in itself, yet here we have a story where Russia sent woman into battle against German forces depicted here in the film to the point I found myself wondering how close on the brink of madness was the world at that time, not that woman were in battle but seeing those very woman and their dire situation while emotional integrity still prevailed against unfathomable duress, pointedly stated with the best line from the film when Evdokiya Kolokolchikova, spoke, 'We're going there to die.' Very good acting and filming direction, with tense trench warfare. A noted point in history hopefully not forgotten.

Entertainment rules this action splashed flick with the backdrop of history giving it a slight nod. Great acting, dialogue and scenes make it a lively watch, but if you are looking for a docu-history film, then you'll have a lot to criticize.

During the First World War, Russia indeed recruited and formed some 5,000 women into a handful of battalions and detachments in hope of creating a catalyst for the war-weary male military units on the front. In fact, two all-female battalions entered into combat but not to the extent that we enjoy in this 2015 remake of fighting on the front.

Battalion, however, doesn't disappoint as we ride the action-packed train realizing that it was never an attempt to rewrite history, but rather something, perhaps 2 hours that will be worth the viewing.

I thought this movie was quite comedic in parts . . .mum arriving to take Nadya home etc

Nonsense. Looked ok but didn't appear realistic. In reality the main character was executed ages 30. The actor playing the role looked about 50.

The scenes on the obstacle course and the subsequent punching each other reminded me of a scene from Benny Hill.

This is an actual true history with an awesome performance from the actor, a very realistic depiction of the situation of that time Russia. Image, FX, acting, historic accuracy, scenarios, guns, uniforms, all to the perfect reproduction. The story is amazing and it will make you care about the people on it, you will really suffer with their death in the horror of the trench and open field charges of WWI. You will follow the formation of a female battalion in the awakening of the soviet revolution. Created to encourage the Russian men in the front who were refusing to fight after years of dying and fail to push the Germans back, in a war they didn't care for a ruthless dictator that was the zar. The women were there for idealism or revenge for the loss of their loved ones. They went, and fought proving themselves truly warriors inspiring other women to fight for their land and people, not the rulers. With this scenario, you will find that with all the reason the men had to not fight, here, they look like a bunch of cowards and more girls than the girls of the story.

Piece of art, a truly one. The kind of war movies i like.

Recommended, not a second of waste.