Is the film based on a true story?

Yes, the film is based on the true story of Senior Sergeant Nikolai Svetlov and his experiences during the Siege of Leningrad.

What is the film's age rating?

The film has an age rating of 12+, due to some intense scenes and mature themes.

Who directed the film?

The film was directed by Anton Bogdanov.

What is the film's runtime?

The film's runtime is 1 hour and 50 minutes.

What is the film's genre?

The film is a war drama, with elements of history and action.

Is the film available in English?

Yes, the film is available in English, with some scenes featuring Russian dialogue.

Can I watch the film online?

Yes, the film is available to stream on various platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime.

A War Story That Will Leave You Speechless | War Drama Review

I'm a sucker for war movies. There's something about them that resonates deep within me, and I love learning about the heroes of the past. When I watch a new film based on real events, it's like I'm reliving my family's history. It's a memory I want to preserve and pass down to my kids. And even though it's an emotional experience, I'm excited to share my thoughts after watching this one.

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Genre: War, Drama, History

Release Year: 2026

Country of Origin: Russia

Age Rating: 12+

Director: Anton Bogdanov

Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

🔥 Brief Summary:

Leningrad, winter 1941. After a severe concussion, Senior Sergeant Nikolai Svetlov is discharged from the hospital and assigned to a zoo sanctuary, where the staff work tirelessly to save animals from starvation. A special place in the sanctuary is held by a bison named Beauty. At first, Svetlov sees his service in the sanctuary as a misunderstanding and dreams of returning to the front, but the longer he stays, the clearer he becomes about the importance of his mission. Through kindness and selfless love for animals, he and the remaining zookeepers preserve the warmth of human souls and give hope to all residents of besieged Leningrad.

🔥 Cast and Roles:

Slava Kopaykin - Nikolai Svetlov. He's a fearless and charming senior sergeant who's eager to get back to the front after his concussion. He seems serious about his work in the sanctuary, but it's all a bit too light-hearted for him. I haven't seen this actor in any other films, but he's a perfect fit for this character. With each scene, his portrayal becomes more and more endearing.

Julia Peresild - Yevdokiya Dashina, the animal caretaker, is a real-life character played by Julia that's truly inspiring. I can totally picture them saving animals who were hungry and cold. Some critics are complaining that the actors look too plump for 1940s Leningrad, but let's be real, it's been 41 years, and there were still some food supplies left. I believe every moment and frame in this film.

Stasya Miloslavskaya - Anna, the zoo technician, is a great actress who's also a former circus performer. Her character is also an animal rescuer, and she saves a beached beehemoth named Krasyavitsa during the Leningrad blockade. While she's good in this role, I think they overdid it with the makeup - she looks too perfect. But, hey, it's a movie, and I guess that's what they were going for.

Viktor Sukhorukov - Veterinarian Martin Ivanovich. He's not been in many films lately, but he's been showing up in some big-budget movies. And here, he's absolutely perfect as the veterinarian. I'm not sure where they got that quote from, but it's spot on: 'A human doctor heals people, and a veterinarian heals humanity.'

"Человеческий доктор лечит людей, а ветеринар – человечество"

There's a great scene where the doctor tries to trick the animals into eating sawdust by mixing it with their food and adding fish oil. Yeah, they really did that.

]]>]]>I used to work as a store clerk, and I've got a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a scavenger. I guess I needed a negative character for the story.

]]>Polina Ainitdinova - Zoya, Svetlov's niece. Her childlike innocence and simplicity are just heartbreaking. Her questions to Dashina had me in tears.

Who would dare attack such a "little girl"?

The answer: 'The most terrifying predator is a human'

]]>I have to say, the main character, the Beauty, voiced by Maria Aronova, is a great fit. Her voice is perfect for the role, and she's also the narrator of the story, speaking on behalf of the Beauty. By the way, they managed to save her, and she survived for several more years after the war.

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The storyline.

It's set in 1941, during the heavy events of the war, with Leningrad surrounded and people struggling to survive without food or heat. In the midst of all this, the characters work in the zoo, taking care of the animals.

]]>Evdokia, the 'mama' of the hippopotamus, is a real hero. She's the one who brings the hippo 40 liters of water every day, smoothes its skin to prevent it from cracking, and wraps it up to keep it warm. She even goes without eating herself to feed the animal. It's a heart-wrenching portrayal of the tragedy that people and animals faced during the siege.

I have to say, the hospital staff's performances are a testament to their resilience. And it's heartening to see that they're being supported with food for sustenance. I listened to Shostakovich's 7th Symphony during the Leningrad blockade, and these performances evoke similar emotions - from tragedy to heroism.

The storyline is engaging, and I'm curious to see the obstacles that the talking crocodile and her human friends will face.

My Impressions.

I'm thoroughly impressed with the way the material is presented. I have no doubt that the tigers didn't want to eat the sawdust, so they came up with the idea of hunting. Overall, there are a lot of animals in the film, and it's great to see how they're portrayed on screen.

The humans are also important, and I like how they showed a snowy Leningrad with some graphic elements. The card battles are also present, but more like thievery.

The most valuable aspect is the unity of the people, who are starving and willing to sacrifice everything for the animals. In Leningrad, every person was a hero just by surviving.

The actions unfold dynamically, with a storyline that's full of adventures. The music is fitting, and there are even some humorous moments. The film is engaging from start to finish. There are a few bombing scenes, but I think this film could be shown to kids from the first grade onwards. Plus, the child actors are only 7-8 years old, and the film is also about them.

I have to say, the real-life zookeepers in the show were a dead ringer for the actors. And then there's the documentary footage of the Beauty herself. It's such a heartwarming moment. I'm so invested in this story that I'm actually annoyed the TV didn't give it more promotion. This is our real-life story, and our kids need to know about it.

🔥Pros:

The story is based on real events The acting and the animals in the scene A dynamic film The patriotism and heroism of Leningrad The ZooMada team Good camera work A spot-on sense of humor Even kids will enjoy it

🔥Cons:

None

Verdict: I was blown away by the director's work – I've never heard of this director before, but they did an amazing job. It's suitable for both adults and kids. There are moments where the humor hits right at the heart. But what really matters is that the people of Leningrad persevered, and their bravery will be remembered for generations to come. I highly recommend watching this film!