The Unknown Soldier Tuntematon sotilas
Movie Poster
Country
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Finland
Directed by
Edvin Laine
Release Date
December 23, 1955
Language
Finnish Russian
Studio
Suomen Filmiteollisuus
Distributor
Suomen Filmiteollisuus
Main Cast
Character
Actor
Lt. Koskela
Kosti Klemelä
Sgt. Hietanen
Heikki Savolainen
Cpl. Rokka
Reino Tolvanen
Cpl. Lahtinen
Veikko Sinisalo
Cpl. Lehto
Åke Lindman
The Unknown Soldier is a 1955 Finnish war drama movie directed by Edvin Laine based on the novel of the same name by Väinö Linna. It tells the story of a Finnish machine-gun company that is full of young recruits in the Continuation War 1941-1944, from the days just before the war began to the end of the war. Summer 1941. A machine gun company of the East Finnish garrison receives orders to hand over surplus equipment. The company is moved to the border. The next morning, the men wake up to the sound of cannon fire, the war has begun. The Finnish troops attack and advance rapidly across the border. The nervous first-timers of the troop get their baptism of fire. The men become familiar with death and the relentless daily grind of war. Outnumbered and ill-equipped, they fight against an overwhelming enemy.
Edvin Laine's immortal interpretation of Väinö Linna's war novel is a piece of the bravest Finnish film history. It is undoubtedly the most beloved Finnish film of all time and has been sold in over 40 countries. By 1989, The Unknown Soldier had been seen in Finnish cinemas by 2.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched film ever in Finnish cinemas. Due to this success, two more film adaptations followed; in 1985 and in 2017 .
The following weapons were used in the film The Unknown Soldier :
Pistols
Luger P08
Finnish officers use Luger P08s . A Soviet officer is also briefly seen with a Luger at the end.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Luger P08 - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Captain Kaarna (Pentti Irjala) holds the pistol while leading his men.
Lahti L-35
2nd Lieutenant Kariluoto (Matti Ranin) uses a Lahti L-35 pistol.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lahti L-35 - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Lahti pistol can be seen in his holster.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Kariluoto holds the pistol during an attack on Soviet trenches.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A promotional Picture.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Finnish officer with his pistol in his holster.
Rifles
Mosin-Nagant M/28
Some Finnish soldiers use Finnish Civil Guard M/28 rifles. Soviet soldiers also use this rifle standing for correct Mosin Nagant M91/30s .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mosin-NagantM/28 "Suojeluskuntain Pystykorva" - 7.62x53mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Lehto's rifle on the ground.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing He reaches the trigger.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Private Hauhia (Veli-Matti Kaitala) aims his M/28.
Mosin-Nagant M/39
The majority of the Finnish soldiers wield Mosin-Nagant M/39 rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mosin-Nagant M/39 "Ukko-Pekka" - 7.62x54mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Finnish soldier with a slung rifle over his back.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier fires his rifle next to Kariluoto.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The left side of the M/39.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another Finn aims the rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The rifle on the right.
Submachine Guns
Suomi KP/-31
Finnish soldiers are armed with Suomi KP/-31s .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Suomi KP/-31 - 9x19mm Parabellum
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Rokka (Reino Tolvanen) waits with his KP/-31 to open fire.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing While escorting a prisoner, Rokka carries the Suomi over his back.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soldiers await an incoming Soviet charge.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The rifle is seen on the left.
PPSh-41
PPSh-41s are briefly used by Soviet soldiers during a trench raid.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet soldier holds the PPSh-41.
Machine Guns
Maxim M/09-21
Finnish and Soviet MG teams use Maxim M/09-21s .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Maxim M/09-21 - 7.62x54mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Finn picked up the Maxim.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The soldier transports the machine gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A first person view while the gunner shouting "Fire at their nuts! ".
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The MG-team in action after the river crossing.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soviet soldiers fire the Maxim.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lahtinen (Veikko Sinisalo) awaits a Soviet attack.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soviet soldier : "Sons of Finland, come and get some bread! "Vanhala : "Why don't you come get butter for your bread! " The Finnish Maxim position of Vanhala (Leo Riuttu).
Lahti-Saloranta LS/26
A Lahti-Saloranta LS/26 is briefly seen fired by Finnish soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lahti-Saloranta LS/26 - 7.62x54mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The LS/26 is visible to the right.
Degtyaryov DP-27
A Soviet soldier is briefly seen with a Degtyaryov DP-27 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Degtyaryov DP-27 - 7.62x54mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The DP on the right after the gunner is killed.
MG 34
The MG34 is mounted on a Panzer IV standing for a Soviet tank.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MG34 Panzerlauf with stock fitted - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Grenades
Varsikranaatti M/32
Finnish soldiers use Varsikranaatti M/32 stick grenades.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German Model 17 Stielhandgranate on which the the Varsikranaatti M/32 is based.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Finn with two grenades on his belt.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The grenades lie under Vanhala in a trench.
Kasapanos Explosive Charge
4kg Kasapanos Explosive Charges are used by Finnish soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Kasapanos in front of the soldiers.
Other
OSP-30 Flare Pistol
Cpl. Rokka fires a OSP-30 Flare Pistol .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing OSP-30 - 26.5mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Rokka fires the Flare gun.
Tellermine 42
Tellermine 42 Anti-tank mines are used by Finnish soldiers to destroy the Panzer IV.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Tellermine 42
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Tellermine lies on the ground.
Panzer IV Ausf. J
A German Panzer IV Ausf. J is used by Soviet forces standing in for T-34s.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The "Soviet" tank advancing.