1944

1944 Movie Poster Country Estonia Finland Directed by Elmo Nüganen Release Date February 20, 2015 Language Estonian German Russian Studio Taska Film Matila Röhr Productions (MRP) Distributor Atlantic Film Main Cast Character Actor Aino Tammik Maiken Schmidt Karl Tammik Kaspar Velberg Jüri Jõgi Kristjan Üksküla Captain Evald Viires Ain Mäeots Ants Saareste Gert Raudsep Prohhor Sedõhh Rain Simmul

1944 is a 2015 Estonian war drama film directed by Elmo Nüganen (Names in Marble). In occupied Estonia, Karl Tammik, stationed at the Tannenberg Line, fights in the Waffen-SS while Jüri Jõgi has to serve as an officer in the Red Army. Like thousands of their compatriots, the young Estonians have been forced into the war and simply want to survive. Either they join the Russian occupiers or stand under Hitler's banner in the Waffen-SS. The fate of the two soldiers exemplifies the story of a whole country that was almost crushed between the grindstones of two great powers.

The movie was selected as the Estonian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards but it was not nominated.

The following weapons were used in the film 1944:

Handguns

Walther P38

The Walther P38 is briefly used by Leonhard "Talu" (Kristo Viiding) after he has no more machine gun ammunition.

Walther P38 - 9x19mm Parabellum

The Walther P38 lies under the MG 42.

Talu takes the pistol as Soviet soldiers approach his position.

Tokarev TT-33

The Estonian NKVD commissar Kreml (Peeter Tammearu) is armed with a Tokarev TT-33.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

The TT-33 cleaned by Kreml during a meeting with Jüri Jõgi.

Kreml is about to take aim his pistol at Captain Viires for disregard of a command.

Submachine Guns

MP 38

The MP 38 is used by Estonian SS soldiers, including Karl, Raadik, and Voldemar 'Piir' (Henrik Kalmet).

Maschinenpistole 38 - 9x19mm Parabellum

Piir aims his MP 38 and waits to open fire.

A close-up of Raadik firing his MP 38.

After reaching the Soviet trench, Piir holds his submachine gun at the ready.

MP 40

An MP 40 is very briefly seen being reloaded by the medic SS-Oberschütze (private first class) Elmar 'Säinas' (Pääru Oja). Due to a continuity error, the MP 40 turns into an StG 44 when he gives it to Ants Saareste.

Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm Parabellum

The MP 40 in his hands. Note the different charging handle, muzzle, and slab-sided magazine well. The latter is a feature of an early version.

PPSh-41

Soviet Soldiers are armed with PPSh-41 submachine guns while Estonian SS soldiers use captured ones.

PPSh-41 with 71-round drum magazine - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Ants Saareste and other Estonians soldiers infiltrate a trench with their captured PPShs.

The brother of Anton Käärid (Priit Pius) with PPSh-41.

"Heraus! Hände hoch!"
Jüri Jõgi (Kristjan Üksküla) forces German soldiers to surrender.

Jüri and Captain Evald Viires with PPSh-41s during the search for German soldiers in the woods.

Captain Evald Viires (Ain Mäeots) takes aim at commissar Kreml.

PPS-43

The PPS-43 is also used by Vladimir Kamenski (Karl-Andreas Kalmet), Abram Joffre (Kristjan Sarv), Alfred Tuul (Martin Mill), and several Soviet soldiers.

PPS-43 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Vladimir Kamenski rests his PPS-43 after a Soviet assault.

Soviet soldiers resting in Tallinn. The soldier in the center is armed with a PPS-43.

Abram Joffre taking cover behind a T34/85 with his PPS-43.

After committing a war crime, he changes the magazine.

The PPS in his hands while searching for Germans.

During the dispute with the commissar, he takes aim with his PPS.

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

Karl Tammik (Kaspar Velberg), Anton Käärid (Märt Pius), Raadik (Priit Strandberg), and several other Estonian soldiers wield Karabiner 98ks equipped with hooded front sights. German soldiers are also seen with Kar98ks.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Karl Tammik runs through trenches to repair a telephone cable. Note the hooded front sight.

Anton Käärid's Karabiner next to him.

Raadik is about to push forward the bolt handle during a firefight.

Anton aims the Karabiner at Soviet soldiers.

German soldiers with Kar98ks flee from approaching Soviet forces.

Mosin Nagant M91/30

Soviet soldiers and members of the Estonian civil defense squad are armed with Mosin Nagant M91/30 rifles. A scoped Mosin Nagant is used by Prohhor Sedõhh (Rain Simmul).

Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mmR

The bolt is seen on the left, which means that this scene is mirrored.

The leader of the defense squad encountering the soldiers carries the rifle over his shoulder.

Anton Käärid aims the rifle while in a German trench.

A closer view of the bolt and the hex receiver.

Mosin Nagant M91/30 with PU 3.5x sniper scope and bent bolt handle - 7.62x54mmR

Prohhor Sedõhh aims the rifle at an Estonian soldier.

He holds his rifle at Alfred and wonders if he lost his mind.

Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine

A Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine is briefly seen carried by Rudolf Kask (Ivo Uukkivi).

Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR

The M44 Carbine slung over Rudolf Kask's shoulder.

The dropped carbine offers another view of the barrel.

Mosin-Nagant M/28-30

Some Soviet soldiers are armed with Finnish Civil Guard Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 rifles. These rifles are also seen carried by Estonian Civil Guard members.

Mosin Nagant M/28-30 - 7.62x54mmR

A clear view of the protected front sights.

Four Civil Guards with slung rifles are given captured weapons.

Soviet soldiers marching in Tallinn with their shouldered Mosins.

Tokarev SVT-40

The Tokarev SVT-40 is seen by carried Soviet soldiers. Estonian SS-Oberschütze Vladimir Kamenski (Karl-Andreas Kalmet) uses an SVT equipped with a PU sniper scope to defend the Tannenberg Line.

Tokarev SVT-40 with PU sniper scope - 7.62x54mmR

Vladimir Kamenski targets an advancing Soviet soldier.

A view through the scope.

Tokarev SVT-40 - 7.62x54mmR

A dead Soviet soldier with a Tokarev SVT-40.

Another soldier wields the SVT during a charge.

Assault Rifles

Sturmgewehr 44

The Sturmgewehr 44 is used by Estonian soldiers, especially the leader of the squad SS-Oberscharführer (technical sergeant) Ants Saareste (Gert Raudsep) and SS-Rottenführer (corporal) Kristjan 'Põder' (Hendrik Toompere Jr.) during the trench fighting. After his Sturmgewehr 44 runs empty, he exchanges it with a PPSh-41.

Sturmgewehr 44 - 7.92x33mm Kurz

An Estonian soldier on the left aims his StG 44.

The medic fills empty magazines with new 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridges.

Ants Saareste takes a sip from his hip flask before climbing over the parapet during the night.

Disengaging the safety before the assault on the Soviet trenches.

He empties his StG 44 during the trench raid.

Machine Guns

MG 42

The MG 42 is used by Danish and Estonian SS soldiers. Near the end of the movie, German soldiers use this machine gun as well.

Maschinengewehr 42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Karl Tammik loads a 7.92x57mm Mauser belt in the MG 42.

SS-Sturmmann Leonhard awaits Soviet soldiers with his prepared machine gun.

Danish SS-Rottenführer Carl Madsen (Magnús Mariuson) of the Division "Nordland" mans an MG 42.

A German Unterfeldwebel (staff sergeant) fires the MG 42 at approaching Soviets. The Landser on the right has a Kar98k with an unhooded front sight.

The front view of the same soldier firing at Soviet soldiers is clearly mirrored.

MG 34

An abandoned MG 34 is briefly seen in a German trench.

MG 34 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The MG 34 next to its dead user while Soviet soldiers passing by.

Degtyaryov DP-27

The Degtyaryov DP-27 is used by the support gunner Oskar Lepik (Andero Ermel) in the Estonian-Soviet squad.

Degtyarov DP-27 - 7.62x54mmR

Oskar holds his DP on a Lend-Leased American 1943 GMC CCKW 353 cargo truck.

During the heat of battle, he deploys the bipod...

...and suppresses German soldiers.

A Soviet soldier next to Capt. Viires carries a DP-27.

Having cleared out the German position, Oskar fires at retreating German soldiers.

Maxim M1910

A Maxim M1910 is also briefly seen as some Civil Defense Guards desert.

Maxim 1910 - 7.62x54mmR

The Maxim in the center towed by the deserters.

Degtyaryov DT

Soviet T-34/85 tanks are armed with Degtyaryov DT machine guns.

Degtyaryov DT - 7.62x54mm R

A T-34/76 rolls toward the Estonian position.

Handgrenades

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

Estonian and German soldiers use Model 24 Stielhandgranates.

Stielhandgranate Modell 24

Leonhard readies a Stielhandgranate.

A box of stick grenades being dragged by Raadik. Note the different types of the sticks.

Karl unscrews the cap before the trench raid. His collar matches an SS-Sturmmann (acting corporal).

A German soldier throws a grenade.

F-1 hand grenade

Some F-1 hand grenades are thrown by Soviet soldiers, including Anton Käärid.

F-1 hand grenade

An F-1 thrown by a Soviet soldier in front of the Estonians.

Model 39 Eihandgranate

A German soldier commits suicide with a Model 39 Eihandgranate.

Eihandgranate Modell 39

The German shows Alfred a parting gift.

Launchers

Panzerfaust

Various Estonian soldiers are seen with Panzerfausts.

Panzerfaust - 44mm with 149mm warhead

Firing the Panzerfaust at a Soviet tank.

Ants Saareste with a shouldered Panzerfaust.

Panzerschreck

A German soldier fires a Panzerschreck to knock out a T34/85.

RPzB 54 "Panzerschreck" - 88mm

The rocket launcher being fired by the soldier.

Other

Stockmine M43

The Estonian SS squad has to cross a field during the night where several Stockmine mines are buried in the ground.

Stockmine Modell 43 "Betonmine"

5 cm Pak 38

A 5 cm Pak 38 is operated by Dutch SS soldiers at the beginning.

Panzerabwehrkanone (Pak) 38 - 50x419mmR

A flyover shot of the AT gun.

Note the Nederland wristband on the SS-Rottenführer's uniform.

Ejecting a spent shell.

A clearer view of the receiver.

45 mm anti-tank gun M1937 (53-K)

A 45 mm anti-tank gun M1937 (53-K) is also seen manned by SS soldiers.

M1937 (53-K) - 45mm (1.77 in)

82-PM-41 mortar

Two 82-PM-41 mortars (BM-41, further development of the BM-37) can very briefly be seen fired by Estonian soldiers.

BM-37 Mortar - 82mm. The BM-41 has generally the same design except for the removable wheelbase and the arched construction base plate.

122 mm Howitzer M1938

Soviet soldiers are supported by several 122 mm M1938 (M-30) howitzers.

121.92 mm (4.8 inch) howitzer

T-34/85