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Aleksei Chadov, Artur Smolyaninov, Konstantin Kryukov, Ivan Kokorin, Artem Mikhalkov ... see more see more... , Mikhail Porechenkov , Fyodor Bondarchuk , Mikhail Evlanov , Irina Rakhmanova , Stanislav Govorukhin , Alexei Kravchenko , Alexei Serebryakov , Alexander Bashirov , Andrei Krasko , Alexandr Lykov , Mikhail Vladimirov , Amadu Mamadakov , Mikhail Efremov , Soslan Fidarov , Dmitry Mukhamadeev , Artyom Mikhalkov , Alexei Chadov

Fedor Bondarchuk, the son of noted Russian filmmaker Sergei Bondarchuk, debuts as a director with the harrowing and relentless military drama 9th Company, set between 1988 and 1989 at the tail end of ... read more read more...the U.S.S.R. Afghani war (the Soviet equivalent of Vietnam). The picture opens in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, in late 1988, when military trainees Petrovsky, Ryaba, Chugun, Stas, Pinochet, Lyutev and Vorobyev are whipped into shape at a training camp by the brutal, sadistic commander, Warrant Officer Dygalo - prior to being sent off to the front lines. After several one-by-one dalliances with the local whore, Snow White, and a cautionary lecture on the history, geography and culture of Afghanistan (which most of the men sleep through), the trainees head off to battle - first to the Bagram air base, then to the Afghani province of Khost to secure supply lines. But nothing can begin to prepare them for the brutal devastation into which they are plunged, or the relentless tide of slaughter that scatters thousands of Soviet victims in its wake. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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75% liked it

6,444 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

16 critics

R, 2 hr. 19 min.

Directed by: Fyodor Bondarchuk

Release Date: September 29, 2005

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DVD Release Date: August 31, 2010

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Stats: 466 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (466)

  • bbcfloridabound
    July 26, 2011
    bbcfloridabound
    A excellent Russian Film based on a true story of a battle in the invasion of Afghanistan. See a group of young men from home town to boot camp to the war in Afghanistan. What we see what happens to these men, in the end Russia is a broke nation from a useless, senseless, life co... read morestly war. Does it sound familiar, one line in the war by a Sergeant Major, Afghanistan a nation that has never been defeated. So what did we learn from the Russians nothing. A very bloody story, would not recommend for any solider who has been in battle the past year. 5 stars
  • itsjustme2004
    December 12, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    In a word, FANTASTIC! This film is so well made, you would think it was a big budget hollywood flick. The dvd has both english & russian soundtracks. Don't sell yourself short by watching the dubbed version. The acting, directing, and screen writing is top notch. I got goosebumps... read more watching this film. This is basically a story about the tail end of the Russian occupation of Afghanistan. The film tells of the gruesome nature of war, and it's lingering effects. The special effects, and action sequences, left me in awe. What a gem.
  • kiriyamakazou
    November 7, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    A Russian Full Metal Jacket that takes us from the training of troops to their eventual tragic deaths. Set during the 80's conflict with Afghanistan you would expect that artistic parallels would be drawn. Unfortunately this is as much a Hollywood war film as Flags of Our Fathers... read more or We Were Soldiers. It is filled with poor writing that leaves us with hollow characters personified by a single word. Artist and virgin being the two that spring to mind. You've probably guessed already that the artist is rather poetic and sees even the beauty in war while the virgin cries a lot and is scared. All these men are here by choice, we here about lives back home and they are offered a chance to not go to such a dangerous place. They all turn it down and here would be a perfect place to explore more of the characters. It never happens. The film goes on to spread a message we all know. Soldiers are heroes and fight for their countries no matter what the politics. Some nice artistic shots keep the film interesting and even exciting. One shot sees the drill sergeant denied the opportunity to go to go back into battle where all his friends died. He sits alone in a field of poppies silently crying. This one shot says more than the rest of the film.
  • gor41
    September 16, 2007
    gor41
    Poor man's 'Full Metal Jacket' which shows that the Russian filmmakers are well behind the West. Cliches flow thick and fast but with no wit or flair and some of the effects are anything but 'special'.
  • juliomendez19941
    March 14, 2012
    juliomendez19941
    Now I've never seen any Russian movie before watching this movie. I got to say, it set the bar pretty high for future Russian for me to watch.

    The 9th Company is based on a true story of the 9th company during the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan in the 1980's. Now the writing ... read moreis really good as the story gives us human characters as these soldiers react how any normal person would act in the military. There not just soldiers fighting for there country, there well developed characters that want more than pride for there country. The story is interesting throughout the movie, but it doesn't always keep your interest. Some parts slow down the movie or just feel unnecessary. One good thing about the story is that the soldiers in this movie aren't just on a bloody rampage, they have a purpose and it's clear what that purpose is.

    The direction spot on and it'll has the feel and look of big-budget movie. The actors give good performance, though none of them in particular stand out in that category. One thing I did enjoy was the score of the movie as it also help convey emotion into a scene with great effect. Now I will add that this movie doesn't exactly stand out in any particular way, but for it's production value makes it worth a watch.

    The 9th Company is a military movie that doesn't stand out from other movie like it, but it's a great and entertaining watch. It pays respect to the soldiers who fought in this war and certainly respect the viewer by giving a mature viewing experience.
  • matseb2611
    March 28, 2008
    matseb2611
    Good and a very powerful film, but to be honest I dislike war movies in general.
    Still though it's one of the best war movies I've seen.
    Apparently based on the true events.
  • ThaAnswerMD25
    October 8, 2010
    ThaAnswerMD25
    Much of the movie seemed unnecessary. While I understand the need to show them training and preparing for war, it wasn't done well. The movie shines when the firefights begin, unfortunately it takes too long to get there.
  • dukeakasmudge
    September 3, 2010
    dukeakasmudge
    I would have LOVED to have seen 9th Company in a theater or on a big screen TV with surround sound speakers.The effects were just awesome & I loved how it showed the troops from training to war to the end.Great war movie Id tell anybody to go see
  • silvarcs
    September 28, 2009
    silvarcs
    Pretty awesome movie about the Soviet Union's war in Afghanistan. Seem's ironic since us American's are in Afghanistan now. If we don't learn from the Soviet experience we might be doomed to repeat it.

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Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker
September 4, 2010
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com

For all the grim reality of death and danger, it's mostly a paean to brotherhood, loyalty and honor in a lost cause, with a stock company of character types bonding under fire... Full Review

Prairie Miller
August 14, 2010
Prairie Miller, WBAI Radio

So is the director's beef with the barefoot belligerent fundamentalist Afghans or the beefy bungling brass of the Soviet Union? Less likely any of the above, than a battle of the blockbusters showdown... Full Review

Edward Porter
February 19, 2007
Edward Porter, Sunday Times (UK)

The characters are given life by the script and actors, while the mountainous terrain (provided by Crimea) adds novelty to the combat scenes. Full Review

Wendy Ide
February 16, 2007
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]

Tells a familiar story very well, thanks to a charismatic ensemble cast and boundless ambition when it comes to the scale. Full Review

Stuart McGurk
February 16, 2007
Stuart McGurk, thelondonpaper

It may not be a new subject but, as an update on bellicose jingoism, it's just right. Full Review

David Gritten
February 16, 2007
David Gritten, Daily Telegraph

It's beautifully shot and includes bravura set pieces from the front line. Unsurprisingly, it ends badly. Full Review

Nick Curtis
February 16, 2007
Nick Curtis, This is London

It's all beautifully photographed and lit, using a bright palette that recalls old Technicolor, and exerts a cumulative power over its 130 minutes. Full Review

Anthony Quinn
February 16, 2007
Anthony Quinn, Independent

The film has no real thematic ambition beyond restating the old "war is hell" adage. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
February 16, 2007
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

Americanised macho-sentimental war movie about an isolated Soviet division. Full Review

Johnny Vaughan
February 16, 2007
Johnny Vaughan, Sun Online

To a man, the movie's impressive young Russian cast cover themselves in glory with some truly top-notch turns. Full Review

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