Eternal Call (Vechnyy zov)

DVD Cover

Country	USSR
Language	Russian
Channel	Central Television of the USSR
Creator	Vladimir Krasnopolskiy Valeriy Uskov
Genre	Historical Drama Romance War
Broadcast	1983
No. of Episodes	7 (Ep.13-19)

Main Cast
Character	Actor

Anton Silantievich Saveliev	Valeri Khlevinsky
Fyodor Silantievich Saveliev	Vadim Spiridonov
Ivan Silantievich Saveliev	Nikolay Ivanov
Polikarp Matveevich Kruzhilin	Pyotr Velyaminov
Yakov Nikolaevich Aleinikov	Vladlen Biryukov
Anna Mikhailovna Savelieva	Ada Rogovtseva
Semyon Fyodorovich Saveliev	Vladimir Borisov
Anfisa	Tamara Syomina
Pyotr Petrovich Polipov	Yuri Smirnov
Kiryan Inyutin	Andrey Martynov

Eternal Call (Vechnyy zov) is a Soviet 19761-1983 TV series directed by Vladimir Krasnopolskiy and Valeriy Uskov and based on the eponymous novel by Anatoly Ivanov. The epic family saga depicts the life and fate of Savelievs family from a Siberian village through the events of half a century, from 1906 to 1961. First six episodes were released in 1976, and 6 more in 1979; these 12 episodes form Season 1 that is set in 1906-1941. Season 2 was released in 1983. It consists of seven episodes (13-19), set in 1942-1961.

The DVD release of the series is truncated in comparison with the original TV release. This page is based on full TV version.

The following weapons were used in the film Eternal Call (Vechnyy zov) - Season 2:

Pistols

Tokarev TT-33

Tokarev TT-33 pistols are widely used by Soviet Army officers, notably Yakov Aleinikov (Vladlen Biryukov), in Eps. 13-17, set in 1942-1944. Both pre- and post-1947 versions are seen.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Pre-1947 version.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Post-1947 version.

A Soviet official, further commander of partisan unit (Oleg Mokshantsev) holds a TT during the retreat of Soviet troops in Summer 1942 (Ep.13).

Maj. Yakov Aleinikov (Vladlen Biryukov) draws his TT on Abwehr agent Valentik (Nikolay Penkov) (Ep.14).

Another view of the same scene. The pistol is of correct pre-1947 version.

Capt. Vasily Khlebnikov (Vladimir Sergienko) leads his soldiers with a TT in hand (Ep.15).

Artillery Lt. Ruzheynikov (Nikolay Merzlikin) carries a TT in holster (Ep.15).

Valentik (Nikolay Penkov), disguised as a Soviet Lt. Col., holds a TT (Ep.15).

Aleinikov holds a TT during the shootout with Ukrainian nationalist fighters in flashback scene, set in 1944, in Ep.19.

Another view of Aleinikov's pistol. This is a post-1947 version.

Luger P08

Abwehr officer Oberstleutnant (Lt. Col.) Arnold Milhailovich Lakhnovsky (Oleg Basilashvili) carries a Luger P08 in Eps.15-16.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

Lakhnovsky takes a run when Soviet commandos attack Abwehr base (Ep.16).

Wounded Lakhnovsky with a Luger in hand.

Walther P38

Abwehr senior officer Oberst (Col.) Rudolf Berger (Nikolai Brilling) carries a Walther P38 in Ep.14.

Walther P38 - 9x19mm

Berger puts his P38 back in holster.

Submachine Guns

PPSh-41

PPSh-41 SMGs are used by numerous Soviet soldiers and officers, notably Yakov Aleinikov (Vladlen Biryukov) and Ivan Saveliev (Nikolay Ivanov), in Eps.13-17.

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Tank crewmember Alifanov (Yevgeni Bezrukavy) holds a PPSh in a scene of Kursk battle (Ep.15).

Capt. Khlebnikov's soldiers stand in formation with PPSh-41s (Ep.15).

Sr. Lt. Ruzheynikov with a PPSh and Ivan Saveliev with MP40 (Ep.15).

Aleinikov and his driver Grigory Yeryomenko (Vasiliy Mishchenko) with PPSh-41s (Ep.16).

Ivan Saveliev, a member of Aleinikov's commando group, with a PPSh on rest (Ep.16).

Brothers Ivan and Fyodor Savelievs meet as enemies (Ep.16).

The bitter final.

One of Aleinikov's commandos fires a PPSh in flashback scene, set in 1944, in Ep.19.

Aleinikov with a PPSh in the same scene.

MP40

MP40 SMGs are used by German soldiers and Ukrainian nationalist fighters in Eps.13-17. Some Soviet soldiers are also seen with MP40s.

MP40 - 9x19mm

German soldiers encircle wounder Fyodor Saveliev (Ep.13).

A closeup of MP40 in the same scene.

Tank crewmember Ivan Saveliev (Nikolay Ivanov) with a captured MP40 during the Kursk battle (Ep.15).

A German soldier with MP40 (Ep.15).

Valentik (Nikolay Penkov) fires his MP40 during the attack of Soviet commandos on Abwehr base (Ep.16).

Fyodor Saveliev (Vadim Spiridonov), currently serving in Hilfspolizei, holds his MP40 during the shootout with Soviet commandos.

A closeup of MP40.

The bitter end of the meeting of Saveliev brothers.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891/30

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles are seen in hands of Soviet soldiers in Ep.13.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R

A guard on military factory carries an M91/30 rifle.

Soviet soldiers with M91/30 rifles, M38 Carbines and DP-27 machine gun rise in attack.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbines are used by Soviet soldiers in Eps.13-15.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R

A Soviet officer at the right holds an M38 Carbine (Ep.13).

Grigory Yeryomenko (Vasiliy Mishchenko) reloads his M38 Carbine (Ep.13).

Yeryomenko aims.

A Soviet soldier (Aleksandr Lebedev) in attack with M38 Carbine.

M38 carbines are seen when Capt. Khlebnikov's soldiers are on rest (Ep.15).

Soldiers of penal battalion with M38 carbines cross the swamp (Pyotr Zubov (Yuri Gusev) at the foreground, unnamed soldier (Anatoly Balchev) behind him) (Ep.15).

A native girl Lika Shinova (Tatyana Lebedeva) is a guide during the crossing of the swamp.

Pyotr Zubov in action.

Karabiner 98k

Karabiner 98k rifles are used by German soldiers, Hilfspolizei personnel and Ukrainian nationalist fighters in Eps.13-17.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Guards with 98k rifles at the German commandant's office (Ep.14).

A Hilfspolizei (Igor Buchko) holds a 98k rifle.

A 98k rifle is seen (at the right) in trench during the Kursk battle (Ep.15).

A Hilfspolizei (Vyacheslav Bogachyov) with 98k rifle (Ep.16).

An SS guard in Buchenwald concentration camp aims his 98k rifle in a flashback scene in Ep.17.

An Ukrainian nationalist female sniper (Larisa Negreeva-Tseslyak) aims her 98k rifle in flashback scene in Ep.19.

Vz. 24 Czech Mauser

Most SS guards in Buchenwald concentration camp are seen with Vz. 24 Czech Mauser rifles (Eps.16-17).

Czech vz. 24 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The groove on stock allows to differ Vz.24 rifle from Karabiner 98k.

Shotguns

Mosin Nagant/Frolov Shotgun

A "Frolovka" shotgun is seen in Pankrat Nazarov's house in one scene in Ep.18, set in 1957.

"Frolovka" shotgun (converted Mosin Nagant rifle) - 28 gauge

"Frolovka" is seen on the wall.

Machine Guns

Degtyaryov DP-27

Degtyaryov DP-27 light machine guns are used by Soviet soldiers, notably Fyodor Saveliev in Ep.13. In flashback scene, set in 1944, in Ep.19 Yakov Aleinikov (Vladlen Biryukov) and one of commandos of his group, Sergei (Sergei Samojlov), use DP-27s during the shootout with Ukrainian nationalist fighters.

Degtyaryov DP-27 - 7.62x54mm R

Fyodor Saveliev in attack with DP-27.

Destroyed Saveliev's DP.

A soldier at the left holds a DP-27.

Sergei with DP-27.

Aleinikov with DP-27.

Degtyaryov DT

A Degtyaryov DT machine gun is seen inside a T-34 tank, manned by Vakhromeev (Valeri Kuksin).

Degtyaryov DT - 7.62x54mm R

PMK (visually modified)

In several scenes in Eps.15 and 16 German soldiers use PKM machine guns, visually modified to resemble MG34.

A picture of the original MG34 and PK conversion

Fake MG34 in action.

Another view of the machine gun.

Fake MG34 fires from a house.

Maxim M1910/30

A Maxim machine gun, probably M1910/30, is briefly seen in several scenes in Ep.13.

Maxim 1910/30 - 7.62x54mmR

A Maxim is seen at the right.

A Maxim is seen at the background.

Other Weapons

PTRD-41

A PTRD-41 AT rifle is briefly seen on Soviet positions in Ep.13.

PTRD-41 Anti-tank rifle - 14.5x114mm

A PTR is seen in center.

SPSh Flare Pistol

In one scene in Ep.15 a Sovier officer fires a flare pistol, probably an SPSh.

SPSh Flare Pistol - 26.5mm

RGD-33

In Ep.15 Semyon Saveliev (Vladimir Borisov) uses a bundle of RGD-33 hand grenades against a German tank.

RGD-33 high-explosive fragmentation stick grenade, shown with the diamond-patterned fragmentation sleeve.

RGD-33 (mockup)

In several scenes in Eps.13-15 Soviet soldiers use hand grenades that appear to be mockups, resembling RGD-33.

A grenade is seen next to M91/30 rifle at the right.

Pyotr Zubov (Yuri Gusev) pulls the pin with his teeth (commonly seen but unrealistic feat).

A grenade is seen next to PPSh and MP40 on Soviet positions.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

Model 24 Stielhandgranates are seen in several scenes.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" stick grenade with fragmentation sleeve

A German soldier carries an Stielhandgranate in Ep.14.

An Ukrainian nationalist fighter carries an Stielhandgranate in flashback scene in Ep.19.

Pineapple Grenade

What appears to be a mockup of a pineapple grenade is carried by an Ukrainian nationalist fighter (Vladimir Myshkin) in a flashback scene in Ep.19. Possibly it impersonates a Mills Bomb.

S-Mine

Training mockups of S-Mine are seen in Aleinikov's commando group (Ep.14).

S-Mine 35.

TM-46 AT Mine

What appears to be a training version of Soviet postwar TM-46 anti-tank mine is seen in abovementioned scene.

TM-46 anti-tank mine

7.5 cm Pak 40

7.5 cm Pak 40 AT guns are seen in Ep.15.

7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun - 75x714mm R

German Pak 40 on position.

A Pak 40 in action.

Trivia

Holsters

A good view of TT-33 holster of a Soviet officer in Ep.13.

Lakhnovsky (Oleg Basilashvili) carries a holstered Luger (Ep.15).

SS officers and NCOs in Buchenwald concentration camp: ones at left (Andreas Schmidt-Schaller) and right (Arno Wyzniewski) carry Luger P08 holsters, while the commendant (Klaus Gehrke) has a holster for Walther PP.

Valentik (Nikolay Penkov) carries a P08 holster. He isn't seen holding a Luger in the series.

Artillery

Starshina (Sgt.Maj.) Magomedov (Radner Muratov) at his 76.2mm ZiS-3 field gun (Ep.15).

ZiS-3 in action.

"Katyusha" on road. These are most likely BM-13s but BM-31 is also possible.

Tanks

T-34-85 under command of Lt. Yegor Dedyukhin (Leonid Kharitonov) in Ep.13 (anachronistic for 1942). Ivan Saveliev (Nikolay Ivanov), Semyon Saveliev (Vladimir Borisov), Alifanov (Yevgeni Bezrukavy) and Vakhromeev (Valeri Kuksin) are crewmembers of this tank.

Alifanov loads the gun of T-34.

T-34-85 tanks in attack.

A T-44 (identified by the chassis), mocked up as a German tank. The barrel of frontal MG34 Panzerlauf is fake.

Scale models of destroyed German Pz.III and Pz.IV tanks.

BTR-40 stands for a German APC.

BTR-152 stands for German APC.

Footage

Mauser C96

A Soviet officer fires a Mauser C96 in air in salute for the victory. This is a well known photo of soldiers and officers of 1st Battalion in the 756th Regiment of the 150th Rifle Division, under command of Capt. Stepan Neustroev.