sick of the current cinema output and particularly american cinema and i have be make an effort to see the oscar win foreign film . that when i come across this gem . slow to start and it pick up nicely once war be declare . basically an old fashioned girl wait for boy to return from war story and the performance and the cinematography make this so very much more . why tatyana samojlova a the young woman do not become an international star after this be beyond me ( though she have remain successful in her own country ) . you take the journey with her represent young and defiant impetuous young girl and who and through the ravage of war become a very sober and somber woman who keep a glimmer of hope ( her final scene be devastate ) . we love her as much a the camera do . and the camera work . be this the pioneer in hand hold camera work . it truly add an immediacy to the story . and the beauty of it ( like when tatyana character be run up stair and next to a slatted fence ) . i be humble and grateful to see this film .