SHOULD I READ IT? Ambush (1999)

 

                “Ambush” is a Finnish film based on the book by Antti Tuuri.  Tuuri’s book entitled “Road of Rukajarvi” (which is the original title of the movie) is non-fiction, but apparently the movie takes a lot of liberties with the truth.  It stars Peter Franzen and Irina Bjorkland, who are husband and wife.  The film won seven Jussi Awards (the Finnish equivalent of the Academy Awards) including Best Picture and Best Director for Olli Saarela. 

                “Ambush” is set in the “Continuation War” which was the continuation of the Winter War.  In the Winter War, the Soviet Union invaded Finland and took some of its territory.  The “Continuation War” (1941-44)  was Finland’s chance for payback as it attempted to regain the territory it had lost in alliance with Nazi Germany.  Lt. Eero Perkova (Franzen) narrates the actions of his platoon.  They are behind the lines waiting for a mission.  His unit is part of the “bicycle infantry”.  How often do you see soldiers on bikes in war movies?  Perkova and his fourteen men are ordered to plug a hole in the Finnish line and scout out the Russian position.  A huge task for a small force!  Welcome to the Finnish version of a “lost patrol” movie.  Before they pedal off on their suicide mission, Eero is reunited with his fiancé Kaarina (Bjorkland).  She is with the women auxiliaries.

                Perkova’s unit moves up to a village and are being shadowed by Russian partisans.  The whittling down begins.  Who will survive?  If the movie is realistic, not many.  This unit is supposed to be veteran, but they don’t behave like it.  At one point, they all sit down for a meal.  No one is on guard duty!  Also, for veterans, they are pretty morose over their losses.  Tactically, they lack fire discipline.  Perkova is a fairly good leader, but he seems to lose his humanity as time goes by.  Their adventures build to the big slo-mo combat scene where the remainder of the platoon has to cross enemy lines to return to their side.  This involves a gonzo charge through a forest with them mowing down Russkies without bothering to reload.  None of them should survive this.  Should.

                “Ambush” is a big waste of time.  It wimps out on most of the plot developments.  It sets up a cat and mouse scenario with the partisans, but does not deliver.  It is not very suspenseful and most of the deaths are predictable.  Don’t go in that house!  There are long stretches where nothing happens.  That is certainly realistic for warfare, but does not make for an entertaining war movie.  It saves its most unrealistic moment for the ending.  It’s not “All Quiet on the Eastern Front”.    The acting is average and so is the dialogue.  There is just nothing special about the film.  It is hard to see why it won the Best Picture award in Finland.  I feel this is a damning reflection on the quality of Finnish movies.  Well, Finnish movies made in 1999, anyway.

                Should you read it?  If you have seen “Talvisota” and liked it, “Ambush” is something of a sequel.  Not being a big fan of “Talvisota”, I do not recommend either of them.  Unless you are a big fan of Finland at war. 

GRADE  =  C-