Ballad of a Soldier

This film didn't seem like a war film at all, in fact it felt more like a love story with World War Two set as the background. But in many ways this is a very unique look into Russian during World War Two. At first the audience is able to see how Alyosha's mother is affected by the war. When Alyosha is coming home as helps that wounded soldier, we see the physical and mental toll war takes on Soldiers. We also see that war can often break up relationships between couples, when Alyosha goes to give the gift to a fellow soldiers fiance to find out that she's with another man. These are things that your typical war film wouldn't attempt to take a look at. This also doesn't seem like a Socialist Realist film, in fact it seems more a movie that would be made in the west. Ballad of a Soldier doesn't glorify the Soviet union or Communism in any way shape or form. In fact one could make an argument that the love between Alyosha and Shura is somewhat anti-communist.
This is a movie which can be appreciated by many different cultures. In our culture man different people go off and this is simply a story that tackles the issues of war and that is something that people from man different countries can appreciate. A mother loving and caring for her son is something that isn't unique to Russia. Unlike Chapaev or Ivan the terrible people from all over the world can appreciate this film. That's why this film isn't just popular with Russians but with people all over the world.
Overall I thought the movie was pretty good. The story was entertaining and it was able to keep my attention the entire time. Although that it was a little strange that Shura and Alyosha were able to meet up after Alyosha missed his train.