The Cranes are Flying

The Cranes are Flying Летят журавли Original Poster Country Soviet Union Directed by Mikhail Kalatozov Release Date 1957 Language Russian Studio Mosfilm Main Cast Character Actor Veronika Tatyana Samoylova Boris Aleksey Batalov Fyodor Ivanovich Vasiliy Merkurev

The Cranes are Flying is a 1957 Soviet drama directed by Mikhail Kalatozov starring Tatyana Samoylova, Aleksey Batalov, and Vasiliy Merkurev. Released after the death of Stalin and de-Stalinization, the film was one of the first Soviet films to venture outside of the limits that had been imposed by Stalin's censors and paint a complex picture of the men that went to war and the loved ones they left behind. Western audiences were pleasantly surprised, and the film was the first, and so far only, Soviet/Russian film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1958.

The following weapons were used in the film The Cranes are Flying:

Small Arms

PPSh-41

Most of the Soviet troops, including Boris (Aleksey Batalov) and Volodya (Konstantin Kadochnikov), are armed with PPSh-41 submachine guns.

Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Soviet troops have a laugh when Boris knocks Volodya on his ass.

Boris and Volodya on a recon mission with their PPSh's.

Boris with both PPShs as he's forced to carry Volodya to cover.

Mosin Nagant M91/30

Some Soviet troops are seen with Mosin Nagant M91/30 rifles slung.

Full-length, Soviet Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mm R

Soviet troops with their Mosin Nagants. The bayonets have been affixed backwards for storage.

Trivia

T-34 Model 1942

In a famous shot, Veronika (Tatyana Samoylova) hops off a bus, runs through a crowd, and through a parade of T-34 tanks in search for Boris in one unbroken take, seamlessly transitioning from a handheld camera to a crane shot.

Veronika is seen between the two columns of T-34s.

5 cm Pak 38

Volodya takes over behind a disabled 5 cm Pak 38 to rest, forcing Boris to carry him the rest of the way.

5 cm Pak 38 anti-tank gun - 50x419mm R