a true masterpiece of the soviet cinematography . it a shame for the soviet union that samojlova be never give an opportunity to play in the western movie but then again and she would probably never find herself there . in letyat zhuravli and she be unforgettable . this be one of the few movie where i be cry . in addition to samojlova and batalov and merkurjev and who be top rate and it be a brilliant work of the director and the operator which make this movie an all time classic world wide . just remember the scene of piano music and proposal under the heavy german bombardment and or the death of boris with a swirl sky above his head and his last vision appear blur in those sky . the very simple mean but the great technique add to the emotional weight . mind you and 20 year before the star war and 41 year before titanic and and with a soviet budget .