Panfilov’s 28 Men (Original Russian Title: 28 панфиловцев, translit. 28 panfilovtsev)
Also Known As: Battle for Moscow, Thunder of War (North American DVD titles)
USSR, Late November, 1941. Based on the account by reporter Vasiliy Koroteev that appeared in the Red Army’s newspaper, Krasnaya Zvezda, shortly after the battle, this is the story of Panifilov’s Twenty-Eight
Panfilov’s 28 Men is a 2016 Russian World War II war drama that dramatizes the legendary stand of a small group of Soviet soldiers who heroically halted a German tank column during the Battle of Moscow in November 1941. The film is based on accounts by Soviet reporter Vasiliy Koroteev and tells the story of 28 Red Army soldiers from the 316th Rifle Division under General Ivan Panfilov.
Despite being lightly armed with rifles, machine guns, and anti-tank grenades, this group courageously defended their position near the village of Dubosekovo, facing overwhelming enemy forces including 54 German tanks of the 11th Panzer Division and hundreds of infantry. The movie emphasizes their bravery, tenacity, and self-sacrifice in defending Moscow and their homeland.
The film is noted for its historical realism, attention to detail regarding uniforms, tactics, and weaponry, as well as its sober and documentary-style narrative. It eschews traditional Hollywood storytelling tropes like flashbacks, love stories, or a singular heroic protagonist, instead presenting an intense, immersive depiction of battle and camaraderie among ordinary soldiers.
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- Release Year: 2016
- Language: Russian
- Genre: War, Historical Drama