The Germans bombed a barge, it sank, and 800 or so people, mostly civilians, drowned. In the process, a few soldiers opened fire from rifles and downed both German fighters that attacked the barge. Seems like fantasy? Well, that's probably because it is. The barge in question did indeed sink, but not because of German attack. Mind you, the Germans did occasionally bomb vessels crossing the Ladoga lake, but this one was not bombed. It sank because it was overloaded and in somewhat poor shape, and because weather conditions were unfavourable. But instead of making a powerful drama about civilians fleeing starvation inside a besieged city, and drowning in the process, the film makers thought this should be an action movie with Russian supermen who down planes with a single bullet... Twice! It is also a poorly written love story, and yet another story of reconciliation, as NKVD captain becomes friends with the guy he was going to have shot along with his father. You see, recent Russian war films are obsessed with the message of reconciliation between Russians, despite ideological and other divides that existed in 1941. In the end, the film ends up being a manipulative mess that provides no payoff. It is also disrespectful towards the people who died.

Howcome russian filmakers has become that good?? i just saw tank-34 and now spasti leningrad, about the evacuation of leningrad on the lake ladoga in september 1941 . it shows just a small part of the operations , but its a marvellous story, and darn impressive use of cgi and vfx visualls. the cinematography and the setup of the barge and land battle scenes are very reliable and well done. its top notch filmaking in the wargenre!! its a love story, and its a story of bravery and pride in the love and fight for mother russia, of course with the usual russian twists, but it dares to show how permeated the russian society where by the nkvd and political police, and also shows the ''kill if retreat''policy that ruled the russian military forces during 2 nd world war, that scared the heck out of both soldiers and civilians. the acting are what you wish for in this kinda movie genre, there are no major flaws in the production, and its intense from A-Z. ill dare to say that this was far better than ''dunkirk'' in many areas, not as vehement as t-34 ,but scores on every area of importance in making a war film. if you want something else away from hollywood, the grumpy old man can recommend the latest russian war movies, as this one.

I cant believe there are so many bad ratings, the movie is amazing battle in leningrad was one of the worst battles and not even the worst is shown, russia was always good at making war movies and they always try to show the real truth how people suffered and no one is talking about it, the quality of movie, actors and everything is great about the movie and thats my opinion i dont care