The Unknown Soldier
Tuntematon sotilas

Movie Poster

Country	Finland
Directed by	Edvin Laine
Release Date	December 23, 1955
Language	Finnish Russian
Studio	Suomen Filmiteollisuus
Distributor	Suomen Filmiteollisuus

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Lt. Koskela	Kosti Klemelä
Sgt. Hietanen	Heikki Savolainen
Cpl. Rokka	Reino Tolvanen
Cpl. Lahtinen	Veikko Sinisalo
Cpl. Lehto	Åke Lindman

The Unknown Soldier is a 1955 Finnish war drama movie directed by Edvin Laine based on the novel of the same name by Väinö Linna. It tells the story of a Finnish machine-gun company that is full of young recruits in the Continuation War 1941-1944, from the days just before the war began to the end of the war. Summer 1941. A machine gun company of the East Finnish garrison receives orders to hand over surplus equipment. The company is moved to the border. The next morning, the men wake up to the sound of cannon fire, the war has begun. The Finnish troops attack and advance rapidly across the border. The nervous first-timers of the troop get their baptism of fire. The men become familiar with death and the relentless daily grind of war. Outnumbered and ill-equipped, they fight against an overwhelming enemy.

Edvin Laine's interpretation of Väinö Linna's war novel is a piece of the bravest Finnish film history. It is undoubtedly the most beloved Finnish film of all time and has been sold in over 40 countries. By 1989, The Unknown Soldier had been seen in Finnish cinemas by 2.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched film ever in Finnish cinemas. Due to this success, two more film adaptations followed; in 1985 and in 2017.

The following weapons were used in the film The Unknown Soldier:

Pistols

Luger P08

Finnish officers use Luger P08s. A Soviet officer is also briefly seen with a Luger at the end.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

Captain Kaarna (Pentti Irjala) holds the pistol while leading his men.

Lahti L-35

2nd Lieutenant Kariluoto (Matti Ranin) uses a Lahti L-35 pistol.

Lahti L-35 - 9x19mm

The Lahti pistol can be seen in his holster.

Kariluoto holds the pistol during an attack on Soviet trenches.

A promotional Picture.

A Finnish officer with his pistol in his holster.

Rifles

Mosin-Nagant M/28

Some Finnish soldiers use Finnish Civil Guard M/28 rifles. Soviet soldiers also use this rifle standing for correct Mosin Nagant M91/30s.

Mosin-NagantM/28 "Suojeluskuntain Pystykorva" - 7.62x53mmR

Cpl. Lehto's rifle on the ground.

He reaches the trigger.

Private Hauhia (Veli-Matti Kaitala) aims his M/28.

Mosin-Nagant M/39

The majority of the Finnish soldiers wield Mosin-Nagant M/39 rifles.

Mosin-Nagant M/39 "Ukko-Pekka" - 7.62x54mmR

A Finnish soldier with a slung rifle over his back.

A soldier fires his rifle next to Kariluoto.

The left side of the M/39.

Another Finn aims the rifle.

The rifle on the right.

Submachine Guns

Suomi KP/-31

Finnish soldiers are armed with Suomi KP/-31s.

Suomi KP/-31 - 9x19mm Parabellum

Cpl. Rokka (Reino Tolvanen) waits with his KP/-31 to open fire.

While escorting a prisoner, Rokka carries the Suomi over his back.

Soldiers await an incoming Soviet charge.

The rifle is seen on the left.

PPSh-41

PPSh-41s are briefly used by Soviet soldiers during a trench raid.

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

A Soviet soldier holds the PPSh-41.

Machine Guns

Maxim M/09-21

Finnish and Soviet MG teams use Maxim M/09-21s.

Maxim M/09-21 - 7.62x54mmR

A Finn picked up the Maxim.

The soldier transports the machine gun.

A first person view while the gunner shouting "Fire at their nuts!".

The MG-team in action after the river crossing.

Soviet soldiers fire the Maxim.

Lahtinen (Veikko Sinisalo) awaits a Soviet attack.

Soviet soldier: "Sons of Finland, come and get some bread!"
Vanhala: "Why don't you come get butter for your bread!"
The Finnish Maxim position of Vanhala (Leo Riuttu).