Overview
Two brothers face the harsh realities of war as they defend their homeland against an invading force.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- harrowing
- immersive
- historical film night
- war cinema marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows Finnish reservists, especially farmers Martti and Paavo Hakala, serving in a platoon during the Winter War.
Finnish troops fight through the frozen landscapes and severe conditions of the Winter War.
The Finnish platoon resists the Soviet attack on Finland while defending homes and communities.
Brothers Martti and Paavo Hakala leave their rural home together and serve in the same wartime formation.
Films like The Winter War, and why
The Unknown Soldier
shared grounded war drama, infantry combat, and emphasis on ordinary soldiers under extreme battlefield pressure
Come and See
shared bleak historical war realism, ensemble military perspective, and focus on endurance rather than individual heroics
Saving Private Ryan
shared immersive combat drama, brotherhood among soldiers, and harsh depiction of wartime survival
All Quiet on the Western Front
shared anti-romantic war perspective, mud-and-blood battlefield realism, and institutional disregard for soldiers
Movie Details
- Director
- Pekka Parikka
- Release Date
- 1989-11-30
- Runtime
- 189 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (100)
Cast
- Taneli Mäkelä
- Vesa Vierikko
- Timo Torikka
- Heikki Paavilainen
- Antti Raivio
- Esko Kovero
- Martti Suosalo
- Markku Huhtamo
- Matti Onnismaa
- Konsta Mäkelä
Common questions
- What is The Winter War about?
- Finnish reservist brothers endure the brutal Winter War as ordinary farmers transformed by combat, loss, and national resistance.
- What is The Winter War like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Winter War as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Winter War violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Winter War as graphic.
- Which films are like The Winter War?
- Films with a similar feel include The Unknown Soldier, Come and See, Saving Private Ryan, and All Quiet on the Western Front.
- How long is The Winter War?
- The Winter War runs 189 minutes.
