“The Cranes Are Flying” by Director Mikhail Kalatozov is masterpiece of love and tragedy during wartime. The film tells the story of a young couple (Boris and Veronica) who are madly in love until World War II tears them apart. With Boris at the front, Veronica must try to ward off spiritual numbness and defend herself from the increasingly forceful advances of her beau’s draft-dodging cousin.
Much like his film “Letters Never Sent,” the film showcases amazing camerawork by Sergei Urusevsky, beautiful and authentic locations, and perfect casting. There is so much movement in this film. I still can’t believe I had never heard of Mikhail Kalatozov until now. So much of his shot setup and movement reminds me of Steven Spielberg. He had to be a source of inspiration. It’s also really cool to see what Russian audiences were watching during the late 1950s. To find out it was a anti-war film makes it even more of a treasure.
Well worth your time to track down and watch.
Open Life Up 