9th Company (2005)

Actually these were the words of Dzhokonda and he really believed in what he said. He is an artist.......... he has that right. But what Luty said in reply made the moment to remember - war is no beautiful, war is full of horrors and death. two opposite points actually describe the sense. They went to Afghanistan - but they had different reasons for that...... some had to pass the obligatory duty to the Soviet Union and had no chance to escape that so they chose Afghanistan for they saw some unknown reason in that.... or they were even ordered to, some just wanted to look cool, some didn't know where they were going to (they didn't realize). This war was terrible....... this episode of the war showed uselessness of it in the fullest size ever.

Fmovies: The movie has somewhat similar message as of other War movies. But there are some differences. While movies of modern war like Hurt locker depicting the situation of soldiers in Iraq War have gained huge attention. Most people are not interested in knowing that there has been a much worse War in the Afghanistan decades earlier. The War had somewhat similar circumstances but it was fought on much bigger scale. Sadly, no one is interested to know about the Russian troops in that Afghan War and no movie (depicting the Russia side) has ever been made except this one which therefore makes it unique.

The enemy America facing in Afghanistan right now is nothing compared to what Russian Army faced decades ago in Afghan War. The difference is that in Afhgan War, America sowed the seeds of today's War (for what?) This is a must see movie for everyone.

This is one of the best war movies I have ever seen. I won't laugh at ridiculously "low" grade it has got, because there are more important things to be said or underlined. First of all, it is stupid to compare such film with "Platoon" which is a common pattern of the comments on this site. Even though Platoon is a good war movie, it is still an obvious Hollywood product which is not the case with 9th Company. Platoon brought some important issues for the time it was made except very good filming, but it still serves American perception of the world - divided to good and bad guys: one group of the soldiers are following bad lieutenant (played by Tom Beringer), the others are followers of deceased model of "human" killer (played by William Dafoe). There are no such illusions in this film. Like no other Hollywood film, this one shows that good in the war is something we who live in piece can't comprehend. 9ya Rota shows that every person has good and bad in themselves (which is much closer to true) but the form of good in the war is not what we would expect. What is so well done are thorough and catchy analysis of social and psychological features of the soldiers from the time they entered the barracks as civilians to the time of their final battles as soldiers. We can easily follow their transformation through these times and the way they change. That is done childishly simply and beautifully as in no film before that. 9ya Rota keeps you nailed to the screen for whole 139 minutes. And it stays for good. Brilliant acting of fantastic crew and no amateurs even among the minor roles brings you very close to the drama. And drama is stunning and emotional. And whatta directing!!!? Regarding the site criteria, this film deserves at least 10 out of 10, if you ask me.

9th Company fmovies. In all post Soviet republics you can find bunch of veterans of the Soviet war affairs in Afghanistan. It is good that finally such movie was made. The previous movies about Soviet war in Afghanistan never managed to be so successful and therefore they didn't reached the masses. Bandarchuk's movie helps the youth as well as other people in the post Soviet republics to understand, what the veterans of the Afghanistan war have gone through. It is actually pity that I living in Latvia now more about what Americans have gone through in Vietnam then my neighbor in the upstairs apartment in Afghanistan. I believe that such thoughts could share with me many, who live in the post Soviet area.

The actors were well picked and they plaid well. The sound effects were cool and the music was fine. But still the movie was not perfect. There were some little things that didn't fit together. For example the plain that got shot – with four engines on smoke and flaying at such a low altitude it would never be able to get back to the runway, besides if it even had, it would never crash in to gasoline cans, since on a battle airfield there are no open air storage for fuel. If they had then those Afghans would simply shoot at those cans instead of the plane. The last fight episode was not clear either. If Dzhakonda was sitting on the edge of a mountain, then how those Afghans could get to him without waking up anyone else? So the overall impression is that the movie was very good but not perfect.

...are indeed bound to repeat them. This cracking Soviet/Afghan war drama from director and actor Fyodor Bondarchuk has echoes of US war stories like Hamburger Hill, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, but with none of the predictable American schmaltz, propaganda and dubiously good teeth. It grips the viewer entirely with impressive repertory performances from a great young cast of faces unknown to western audiences; deserving all of its accolades and every cent of the post-Soviet era record-breaking $20m the film has raked in. Worth a look for those who think current Western military ambitions in Afghanistan are anything but futile.

It's one of the best Russian movies about the war!The movie is great,it breaks all records in Russia.It became the most popular movie in Russia ever!!!I mean it has collected more than 20 millions$ in just 2 weeks.And there is a good sign that it will approach 30 millions$ or even more!!!Definitely this movie will go down in History!The shooting was perfect,it was very well done.Actors play is honest,vivid,sincere and touching.What strikes me most is the realism of this movie.Actors portray their characters as realistic as it possible.They perfectly manage to show us the real war atmosphere with all its horror and brutality. So if you want to see a real war movie,with a real war actions, you must see it!!!!I give all my respect to the creators of this fantastic movie and wish it could climb over 40 millions$ because this movie deserves it,it made a big stir in Russia and i wish it will be soon recognized and respectively appreciated in other countries.The point of this movie is not to show the audience the power a heroism of Russian army,but to make people realize what a terrible consequences may the war lead to,and what it can turn into people life's.This movie simply demonstrates us the inanity and bloodiness of the war.