They should be filming at the moment the 1944 summer battle of the Finnish Karelian front where the Soviet army lost up to 600 tanks. That should be interesting to watch next year! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tali-Ihantala
The film is to be shown in the Finnish theatres starting Dec 7th 2007. http://www.nuijamies.com/tali-ihantala.htm
I participated in this movie as an extra for a couple of days in june, it was a really fun experience with a lot of big bangs, real StuG IIIs in running order and even a few decent actors (extremely rare in Finland, I might add). The only sad thing was that the director, the legendary Åke Lindman, with whom I had the pleasure of exchanging a few words, was in pretty bad shape due to the heat and dust that rose all over the set. He later had to stop shooting and became hospitalized for two weeks, while the editor/2. director took over shooting the film. I don't know what to expect from the film, it could be that the artistic direction suffered a bit from the change of directors, but I'm still hopeful. Really looking forward to seeing it when it premieres on the Finnish day of independence, 7. dec.
Actually, I didn't I was one of the survivors who withdrew from Tali after the failed counter-attack.
Footage not incl in the film YouTube - T34-85 in Tali Ihantala 1944 part 1 YouTube - Stug III inTali-Ihantala 1944
The movie was good, unfortunately the budget is always making these films look a bit poor compared to the Hollywood versions.... However, Some great tank battle action with comments from the crew in the background at the same time.... Some extras from youtube while you wait for the movie.... YouTube - Tali-Ihantala 1944 trailer YouTube - Stug III inTali-Ihantala 1944 (DVD Extra footage)
Just check the trailer above. It has some interesting parts with T-34´s , at least it is quite alot more interesting than the first one they ever put out on the film.
Damn, I still haven't seen this movie. How about other Finns here? Have you already seen it? Did you like it? I ask this, because the movie didn't get so great reviews.
I noticed a week ago it had some 135,000 viewers so far. Not bad but not excellent. I guess the limit for getting money back in Finland could be around 50,000 viewers. And later when it is out on DVD I´m sure people buy loads of it.
Unfortunately no text in English but.... YouTube - Tali-Ihantala 1944 - Tank attack. YouTube - Tali-Ihantala 1944 -The final battle. 1/2 YouTube - Tali-Ihantala 1944 -The final battle. 2/2