An infantry unit’s tour of duty that lasts for more than three years during the Finnish Continuation War. Is the story of Rokka, Kariluoto, Koskela, Hietanen, and their brothers-in-arms. It shows how friendship, humour, and the will to live unite these men on their way there and back. The war changes the lives of each of the soldiers as well as the lives of those on the home front, and also leaves its mark on the entire nation.
Directed by Aku Louhimiehi, the series based on Väinö Linna's classic World War II novel begins. A Finnish machine gun company heads east, many of its soldiers facing combat for the first time.
The Finns press the attack, but with heavy losses. The soldiers have now advanced deep into Soviet territory. Lieutenant Sergeant Rokka joins the men on the front line.
The soldiers occupying Petrozavodsk are waiting for the war to end so they can go home, but they are ordered to proceed to Svir. Rokka holds alone against the Russian blockade.
A protracted bout of trench warfare is testing the soldiers' nerves. Discipline and morale begin to slip. Snipers watch for even the slightest mistake. Rokka's stubbornness threatens to get him court-martialed.
The Finns lose their defensive positions one after another against a massively superior force. The chaos of retreat takes its toll on the troops. Finally, peace is declared. War has left its mark on individuals as well as on the nation as a whole.
Outtakes
