Актёр Николай Черкасов

A young, naive Soviet soldier named Alyosha is granted a few days of leave for bravely destroying four enemy tanks. He plans to use this precious time to visit his mother in the countryside, but his journey becomes a series of encounters and emotional experiences. Along the way, he falls in love and witnesses the profound impact of war on ordinary people, leading him to reflect on the true cost of conflict.

The Ballad of the Soldier was a critical and commercial success, acclaimed internationally for its humanistic portrayal of war and its gentle, poignant storytelling. It was lauded for its departure from typical Soviet war films, focusing on individual sacrifice and emotion rather than grand ideology. The film resonated deeply with audiences worldwide for its portrayal of universal themes of love, loss, and the longing for peace.

• Praised for its deeply moving and humanistic depiction of a young soldier's journey during wartime.

• Celebrated for its subtle storytelling, emotional depth, and the universally relatable themes of love and longing.

• Considered a landmark film for its gentle and anti-heroic approach to the subject of war.

Google audience: Audiences consistently praise the film's emotional resonance and its powerful, yet understated, narrative. Many viewers found the story incredibly touching and a beautiful testament to the human spirit amidst the horrors of war, highlighting the performances and the hopeful yet melancholic tone.

Won the Golden Star at the 1960 Dubrovnik International Film Festival, nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival, and received a BAFTA Award for Best Film from All Sources in 1962. It was also widely praised at festivals in Italy and Britain.

Director Grigori Chukhray originally intended for the film's protagonist to be a more hardened, cynical soldier, but he changed his mind after casting the young Vladimir Ivashov, whose innocent appearance suggested a more vulnerable character.