The Unknown Soldier
Tuntematon sotilas
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Movie Poster
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| Country
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 Finland
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| Directed by
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Aku Louhimies
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| Release Date
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October 27, 2017
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| Language
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Finnish
Russian
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| Studio
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Elokuvaosakeyhtiö Suomi 2017
Kvikmyndafélag Íslands (co-production)
Scope Pictures
(co-production)
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| Distributor
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SF Studios
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The Unknown Soldier is a 2017 Finnish war drama movie directed by Aku Louhimies (Tears of April) based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Väinö Linna. Set in the Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet Union in 1941-1944, the film follows a Finnish machine gun company through the war. Summer, of 1941, Russia and Finland are at war. For three years, the Finnish machine gun company around Major Lammio and Corporal Rokkaan fight the front. The men of diverse backgrounds go into battle with equally diverse attitudes. Between the fatal mistakes of their commanders and the never-ending attacks of their adversaries, Lammio and his followers get to know the war from its dirtiest side. The war changes the lives of each of the soldiers as well as the lives of those on the home front and also leaves its mark on the entire nation.
The film is the third film adaptation of Tuntematon sotilas after 1955 Edvin Laine and 1985 Rauni Mollberg filmings and is also the basis for a five-part television series. It was released for the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence (December 6, 1917) and was shot almost entirely with natural light in a manner similar to the 2015 movie The Revenant.
The following weapons were used in the film The Unknown Soldier:
Pistols
Luger P08
2nd Lieutenant Kariluoto (Johannes Holopainen) and a few other Finnish officers use Luger P08s.
Luger P08 - 9x19mm Parabellum
Kariluoto takes cover with his Luger during the first battle.
Kariluoto leading his squad with his Luger in a promotional picture.
The superior officer shouting to his men holds his P08.
Angry about his retreating soldiers, Lt. Colonel Karjula (Janne Virtanen) points his Luger at one of them.
Col. Karjula desperately brandishes his pistol at advancing Soviet tanks. A scene later, it turns into a C96.
Mauser C96
A Mauser C96 is wielded by Captain Kaarna (Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, who played Hietanen in the 1985 version) as his personal firearm.
Mauser C96 - 7.63x25mm Mauser
Kaarna with his holstered C96 as he sees the situation of Kariluoto's unsuccessful attack. Note the WWI German
Stahlhelm M16 worn by him and his adjutant.
"Cut them down, son of the North!"After drawing his Mauser, he goads Kariluoto's men into a new charge.
Wounded Lt. Col. Karjula holds the pistol. A few moments earlier, he is seen brandishing a Luger.
Tokarev TT-33
During the night raid, the leader of the Soviet raiding party draws a Tokarev TT-33. Cpl. Rokka (Eero Aho) disarms him and fires the pistol at the rest of them.
Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
The soldier struggles with Rokka for the pistol.
Rokka fires the TT-33 at a Soviet soldier.
Submachine Guns
Suomi KP/-31
Many Finnish soldiers are armed with Suomi KP/-31s. It is used by Antti Rokka (Eero Aho), Lt. Kariluoto (Johannes Holopainen), Viirilä (Jarkko Lahti), Vanhala (Hannes Suominen), Lt. Koskela (Jussi Vatanen), and Lt. Autio (Turkka Mastomäki). Both 71-round drum and 50-round quad-stack "coffin" magazines are seen. Due to continuity errors, many KP/-31 magazine types switch between some scenes.
Suomi-konepistooli m/31 - 9x19mm Parabellum
Suomi-konepistooli m/31 - 9x19mm Parabellum
Antti Rokka waiting with his KP/-31 for a grenade explosion to storm a Soviet trench.
After reaching the last trench, he empties his KP at retreating Soviet soldiers.
Inspireded by Rokka's combat instructions, Kariluoto does the same with his KP equipped with a drum magazine.
Rokka aims at a Soviet squad during the night.
Kariluoto takes cover during the last charge.
Rokka watches a gunfight throughout the woods with his KP/-31 at the ready.
Private Asumaniemi (
Eemeli Louhimies, son of director Aku Louhimies) fires his KP/-31.
MP 40
A German soldier is seen with an MP40 while driving a motorcycle with an officer.
Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm Parabellum
Rokka eyes a German soldier with his slung MP40 when he drives past the truck.
PPD-40
Some Soviet soldiers are armed with PPD-40 SMGs.
PPD 40 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
"Don't point your weapon at me, it will be the death of you."Rokka removes the drum magazine from a dead Soviet soldier's PPD-40.
PPSh-41
A PPSh-41 is briefly used by a Soviet Captain and Antti Rokka during the night trench raid.
PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
The wounded Captian tries to reach his PPSh.
Rokka aims the PPSh at the rest of the soldiers.
He fires blindly at retreating Soviets.
Rifles
Mosin-Nagant P26
The Finnish Mosin-Nagant P26 variant is the Finnish Army's most used rifle. The P-Series is the final step of the Finnish overhaul program of old imperial Russian Mosin-Nagants. Notable users are Rokka, Susi (Arttu Kapulainen), and Honkajoki (Juho Milonoff).
Mosin-Nagant M1891 3rd configuration - 7.62x54mmR.
The Finnish P26 looks identical.
The muzzles are seen as the soldier are briefed by Lt. Koskela.
Susi holding his rifle while following Rokka.
Rokka with a slung P26 rifle.
Parading Finnish soldiers including Rokka carry P26 rifles in Petrozavodsk.
Many Mosin-Nagant P26 (and other variants) rifles in the barracks.
Kariluoto holds a Mosin-Nagant after the ambush of Soviet soldiers in a deleted scene.
Susi aims his rifle during the retreat.
Mosin-Nagant M/28
Vanhala (Hannes Suominen) and some other Finns are seen with M28 Finnish Mosin-Nagant Rifles. A marching German column that Rokka encounters appears to also carry these rifles instead of Karabiner 98ks.
Mosin Nagant M/28 "Suojeluskuntain Pystykorva" - 7.62x54mmR
The slung M28 over his back.
Another view of the barrel.
He exchanges his M28 with a KP/-31 for close-combat.
Mosin-Nagant M/39
Some Finnish M39 rifles are also used by Finnish troops, including Corporal Hietanen (Aku Hirviniemi), Lehto (Severi Saarinen), and Private Hauhia (Robin Packalen).
Mosin-Nagant M/39 "Ukko-Pekka" - 7.62x54mmR
Two Finnish soldiers with the rifles getting on a truck on the right.
Lehto (second from left) and Hietanen (far right) hold their M/39 druing the briefing.
A Finn on march carries his M/39 upside-down.
Pvt. Hauhia passes by a trench toilette with his rifle.
A close-up of Hietanen's M/39 during an engagement with a T-34/76.
Shocked by the injured soldiers, Hietanen stops marching, which offers a view of the barrel, front sight, and muzzle.
Mosin-Nagant M91/30
Unlike the two predecessor films, Soviet soldiers use correct Mosin-Nagant M91/30 rifles.
Mosin-Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mmR
Some abandoned M91/30s lie in a cleared-out Soviet foxhole. The one in the foreground shows a blurry view of the rounded receiver, while the other one seen in front of Cpl. Hietanen has a hooded front sight.
Mosin-Nagant M/27
At least one Finnish soldier is seen with a Mosin-Nagant M/27, which is a special version for Ski Troopers.
Mosin-Nagant M/27 - 7.62x54mmR
The soldier walking in front of Hietanen carries his rifle. Note the sight protector for the bayonet.
Lahti L-39
Finnish soldiers use a Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle against a T-34/76.
A Finn manning the AT rifle.
Kariluoto gives the order to fire.
A rear view of the L-39 as it targets the T-34.
Tokarev SVT-40
A Tokarev SVT-40 is briefly seen held by a Finn.
Tokarev SVT-40 - 7.62x54mmR
The Tokarev's muzzle is seen behind Sihvonen covered by snow.
Another soldier (far left) in a retreat column lugs an SVT-40 over his shoulder.
Machine Guns
Degtyaryov DP-27
Finnish and Soviet soldiers use the DP-27.
Degtyaryov DP-27 - 7.62x54mmR
A Finn on the right advances with his carried DP-27 into Soviet territory.
Another Finnish soldier on the left marching with the MG.
The abandoned DP behind Vanhala.
Lahti-Saloranta LS/26
Lahti-Saloranta LS/26 light machine guns are used by Finnish soldiers.
Lahti-Saloranta LS/26 - 7.62x54mmR
A Finnish on an open field fires the LS/26 during the first charge.
The same soldier now fighting in the woods aims at a Soviet position.
Another machine gunner awaiting a Soviet attack.
A closer view of the muzzle as Lieutenant Kariluoto instructs the soldier to hold the line.
The soldier picks up his light machine gun to withdraw.
Maxim M/09-21
The Maxim M/09-21 is widely used by the Finnish machine gun company.
Maxim M/09-21 - 7.62x54mmR
"Fire at their nuts!"Finnish soldiers start firing with their M/09-21.
The Maxim in action by Lehto while suppressing a Soviet MG position.
Lehto still shooting his same Maxim to support his comrades.
Rokka deploys the Maxim on a fallen tree after the river crossing.
He tries his luck to hit the gunner of a Soviet machine gun .
Left view of his Maxim's receiver as he gives order to attack the trench.
A view of Lahtinen's (Joonas Saartamo) M/09-21 in January 1942.
Sihvonen (Kimi Vilkkula) is responsible for the ammunition belt.
Maxim M1910
A Maxim M1910 is briefly seen carried by a Finnish soldier during the first battle.
The Finn holds the Maxim.
Degtyaryov DS-39
The Finnish squad encounters an entrenched Soviet MG team that is armed with a Degtyaryov DS-39 machine gun after the river crossing.
Degtyaryov DS-39 - 7.62x54mmR
A Soviet soldier greets the landed Finns with the DS-39.
Rokka rushes by the MG position and takes some shots to be sure it is silenced.
Maxim M1910/30
A Soviet foxhole has a stationed Maxim M1910/30.
Maxim 1910/30 - 7.62x54mmR
Rokka next to the Maxim position.
Degtyaryov DT
Soviet T-34/76 and T-34/85s are armed with Degtyaryov DTs.
Degtyaryov DT - 7.62x54mmR
The T-34/76 fires the DT.
Hand Grenades
Harjoituskranaatti M/41
Instead of Varsikranaatti M/32 stick grenades, which look very similar to the German Model 17 Stielhandgranate, Finnish soldiers use Harjoituskranaatti M/41 ("practice grenade M/41"). This stick grenade is based on the Model 16 Stielhandgranate.
Model 16 Stielhandgranate, the Harjoituskranaatti M/41 looks identical.
Kariluoto unscrews the cap of a stick grenade.
Three M/41 hanging on the trench wall behind Rokka as he reports to an inspecting Colonel (Robert Enckell).
Two grenades tucked in Rokka's belt.
Kasapanos Explosive Charge
Finnish soldiers use improvised "Kasapanos" explosive charges made of four bricks of TNT around Varsikranaatti M/32 stick grenades.
Lieutenant Koskela (Jussi Vatanen) takes a Kasapanos.
Two improvised Kasapanos on the ground.
Koskela crawls with a Kasapanos and a muddy KP/-31 to get closer to a T-34/85.
Having made it far enough, he prepares the satchel charge.
Käsikranaatti M/32
Some Finnish M32 Egg grenades are used by Vanhala (Hannes Suominen) during the last battle.
Vanhala takes a swing to throw a grenade in a Soviet trench.
Shorty after, he ducks while clinging to his other grenades.
Other
76.2 mm Putilov m/02
A 76.2 mm divisional gun model 1902 is briefly seen drawn by horses.
Putilov m/02 - 76.2x385mmR
Unknown Mortar
Two unknown mortars are briefly seen during the fighting.
Canon de 155 C, mle. 1917 Schneider
The squad is supported by French mle. 1917 Schneider howitzers.
Tellermine 35
One Finn tries to approach the T34/76 with a Tellermine 35. The same Tellermine is then thrown by Corporal Hietanen after the first carrier was unlucky.
Corporal Hietanen approaches a T34/76 with the Tellermine picked up from his fallen comrade.
Bofors 40mm
The Finns stationed a Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun after the occupation of the city of Petrozavodsk.
Bofors 40mm L/60 in a wheeled trailer mounting - 40x311mmR
OSP-30 Flare Pistol
Rokka fires an OSP-30 Flare Pistol during his night watch.
T34/76
T-34 Model 1943 (unofficially known as the T-34/76D, E and F) with a 7.62cm F-34 main gun)
T34/85
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