Talvisota (film)

Infobox_film | name = The Winter War


caption = The Finnish DVD cover for "The Winter War".
director = Pekka Parikka
producer = Marko Röhr
writer = Pekka Parikka,
Antti Tuuri
starring = Taneli Mäkelä,
Vesa Vierikko,
Timo Torikka,
Mika Heikki Paavilainen,
Antti Raivio,
Esko Kovero,
Martti Suosalo,
Markku Huhtamo,
Konsta Mäkelä
distributor = National-Filmi
released = flagicon|Finland flagicon|Sweden November 30, 1989
runtime = Original: 195 min
US version: 125 min
TV series: 250 min
country = flag|Finland
language = Finnish
imdb_id = 0098437Infobox movie certificates
United_States = R
Norway = 18 (1990)
Sweden = 15
Finland = K-11

"The Winter War" (Finnish: "Talvisota", Swedish: "Vinterkriget") is a Finnish 1989 film directed by Pekka Parikka, based on "The Winter War", a novel by Antti Tuuri. It tells the story of a Finnish infantry regiment "JR 23", which consists almost solely of men from Southern Ostrobothnia, focusing mainly on a platoon of reservists from Kauhava. The movie was released in Finland and Sweden on the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Winter War, which took place from November 30, 1939 to March 13, 1940.

The movie uses a wide array of genuine wartime vehicles and artillery, and when not possible, replicas are used. These include the T-26 light tank, the SB-2 fast bomber, the Polikarpov I-16 and the 37 mm PstK/36 anti-tank cannon. Animated special effects were used to simulate tracer projectiles.

Awards

Pekka Parikka was nominated for a Golden Berlin Bear in the category of Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1990.

On the Jussi Awards the same year, it received 6 awards in the the following categories:
* Best Actor (Taneli Mäkelä)
* Best Co-ordinator (Raimo Mikkola)
* Best Direction (Pekka Parikka)
* Best Music (Juha Tikka)
* Best Sound Recording (Paul Jyrälä and team)
* Best Supporting Actor (Vesa Vierikko).

The movie received an award in the category of Best Actor at the Rouen Nordic Film Festival as well.

TV series

An extended TV version was also made, consisting of 5 episodes, each with a running time of approximately 50 minutes. The series has been aired twice on Finnish TV (1991 & 1999), and will be aired for the 3rd time in spring 2009.

Cast

* Taneli Mäkelä – "Martti Hakala"
* Vesa Vierikko – "Jussi Kantola"
* Timo Torikka – "Pentti Saari"
* Heikki Paavilainen – "Vilho Erkkilä"
* Antti Raivio – "Erkki Somppi"
* Esko Kovero – "Juho Pernaa"
* Martti Suosalo – "Arvi Huhtala"
* Markku Huhtamo – "Aatos Laitila"
* Matti Onnismaa – "Veikko Korpela"
* Konsta Mäkelä – "Paavo Hakala"
* Tomi Salmela – "Matti Ylinen"
* Samuli Edelmann – "Mauri Haapasalo"
* Vesa Mäkelä – "Yrjö Haavisto"
* Aarno Sulkanen – "Battalion commander Sihvo"
* Kari Kihlström – "Jorma Potila"
* Esko Nikkari – "Yrjö 'Ylli' Alanen"

ee also

*Winter War

External links

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