Fortress of War (Брестская крепость)

In the middle of the 19th century the Brest Fortress was built

at the confluence of the Bug and Mukhavets rivers.

It was a system of forts and bastions to make the citadel impregnable.

The defences became obsolete, but the defenders remained stoical.

20 years after the war, the truth was revealed in a book by Sergei Smirnov.

On May 8, 1965 it was awarded the title of Hero Fortress.

IN HONOUR OF THE HEROES OF THE BREST FORTRESS

AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DEFENDED THE MOTHERLAND.

JUNE 21, 1941. BREST, CITY PARK

I remember. I remember everything.

There was dancing on Saturday in the city park, just as there always was.

This was me - Alexander Akimov,

a pupil of the 333rd regiment's military band.

My parents died in Spain in '37.

There was just me and my brother left.

And this was Anya, simply Anya.

Although, to me, she could never be "just" Anya.

Wait a moment. I'll be right back.

Sashka, why aren't you in the barracks?

Oska asked me. The entire band was sent away. The last trumpeter left on Wednesday.

- Private Akimov of the military band. - Sir.

Return to the fortress immediately.

Why are you shouting at me? You are not my captain, not my father.

Why are you shouting at me?

Tell Sergeant Kovalenok to punish you as he sees fit. I will check.

And try not to play like that.

About, march.

And he calls himself my brother.

Family of the military officer — get ready!

Anya, come here. What sort of a circus is this?

- Stay still. - Quiet. Stand still.

- Still. - It's easier being in charge of a regiment.

This was my home. My fortress.

It was rather big.

It was impossible to clamber all over it, but there were places I knew

where, if I wanted to hide, nobody would be able to find me.

Thank you.

BREST, THE RAILWAY STATION

Passengers, please keep order and stay calm.

Don't congregate next to the ticket booths.

Please leave!

There are no tickets available for the next trains.

There are no tickets available for today! No tickets available!

I said that there are no tickets, not even for army reservations.

- There aren't any for anybody. - I am telling you in plain Russian.

I have 3 days to get there and back.

Let them give you tickets.

We haven't got any. Not even on pain of death.

I have family in Daugvapils. I have to bring them to where I am serving.

July 20th. That's the earliest that I have.

Cancel the reservation.

I am telling you as a friend - I am forbidden to touch the reservation.

I received an army directive. I can only act according to specific orders.

- You can't do anything. - Perhaps it's for the best.

Everyone is leaving this place!

What exactly do you mean by that?

It's so hot, like the Sahara. What a day!

I feel like lying down and dying.

The German special train.

Hello, Comrade Commissar.

- Hi there, Nikolai. Are you bringing a movie? - Yeah.

Hup, Hup! Faster!

Tugushev.

Kolya is fast. But Tugushev is even faster.

There will not be a war.

- Checkmate. - A tragic mistake.

- One more, come on. - Commissar.

You didn't leave, Comrade Regiment Commissar?

As if I could leave you.

What sort of a final game would that be?

Attention. Look to the right.

- Did you bring the film? - Yes.

- And beer. - Maybe without beer would be better.

- Shur, tomorrow is Sunday. - On Sunday people want to relax.

So I will relax then. Three beers.

- Alik, Nina. - You didn't say that. You didn't.

- And sodas for the kids. - At least you remembered about them.

Have we forgotten anything?

- Thanks, Sonya. - Let's go, soldiers.

- Did you bring it? - Yes, I did.

- Probably about love again? - Yes, it's about love.

It seems I have been caught out, Comrade Sergeant.

What?

Do you want a belting or what? Where on earth did he find you?

I played a wrong note, and you know my brother.

What did you play?

"The Hills of Manchuria."

Make sure you learn it. You'll play it on parade.

Stop the music.

- Khrusch, what are you doing? - Lieutenant, it's like "Swan Lake"...

- Good morning. - Good morning.

So, when will the war with Germany start, in your opinion?

It's like that, is it?

I have to carry out an investigation into your case

concerning the scaremongering rumours about a war with our ally.

I believe that you are a committed Communist. An honest man.

Why are you being called a scaremonger, Pyotr Mikhailovich?

You should ask whoever it was who appointed me.

Help me, Pyotr Mikhailovich. I don't have a high rank, or much authority.

You can see how much I have to do. I can see that it's not your fault.

Who is spreading panic? What do you think?

I asked you here so we could be on friendly terms.

- Who is it, Comrade Major? - It was me.

I let it slip a few times that the Germans would soon be upon us.

I haven't heard anything like this from anyone else.

There is no panic in the garrison, Comrade Vainstein.

You don't have to worry about that.

Just look, Lieutenant.

If they do come, we will be caught in a bottleneck.

The garrison is 8,000 strong.

A crowd of this size will not make it out of the Northern Gate alone,

all with their mothers and children, with their curtains, tablecloths, napkins.

It's no better than a lousy sanatorium.

Most of the garrison should be moved to the vicinity of the troops.

That is what I have said for the past two wars, and I am saying it again.

And the entire 4th Army?

Pyotr Mikhailovich, they won't leave us in it?

They won't.

They won't, if everybody is where they should be.

The soldiers are in one place, and the officers in another.

Soldiers with no officers will cause panic.

It's that simple, Comrade Lieutenant.

I understand, Pyotr Mikhailovich.

And I think that our conversation has been very useful.

I am asking you to keep this secret.

The hearing for your case will be on the 27th.

May I leave, Comrade Lieutenant? There is a film show at the club.

Yes.

So, Sonya... Sonya. Will you stay?

Look at the way people are living.

Anyuta, I've been wanting to tell you for a long time...

Thank you, Comrade Major.

- The tea's gone cold. - Go to sleep, Katyusha.

German saboteurs had infiltrated Brest wearing our uniforms.

They were responsible for cutting off the fortress's water and light.

What's the matter?

Another Polish deserter was caught at the post.

He said the war will begin tonight at 4.00.

- Do you believe him? - Of course not.

We have caught 10 like him,

and each of them says today, on the 8th of August.

I am upset because of Anya.

The girl has grown up. She used to tell me everything,

and now I'm lucky if I get a word out of her.

Perhaps she is ill?

Sashka Akimov — that's the name of the ailment. Our Anya is in love.

So there you are, Daddy.

Sasha. Remember you promised to take me fishing?

- Anya, your parents won't let you go. - I'll sneak out at night.

All right... Anya, you keep playing, and I'm off for a smoke.

- Let's get married. - I don't remember you asking me.

You don't think I will?

- I'll be right back. - Wait.

Just wait a minute.

- Hello. - Name?

Nikolai. I've brought the film.

JUNE 22, 1941 03.58

A drill? They won't let us sleep.

What is it?

I'll go and see what's happening.

Get down!

- What is it? - A drill.

- Run! - Where?

- Home. I'll find you. - What about you?

- Where's Anya? - Calm down, we'll find her.

Is it war?

- Katya! Quickly. - Did you take everything?

Run.

Katya, do what I taught you. Hide in the furthest cellar.

Take it easy!

- Come on, son. - Your cap.

I'll come and get you as soon as everything quietens down.

She'll be able to find us, won't she?

Stay here.

- And you? - I'll be fine.

I am going to regimental headquarters. Run. Run!

Take her away.

Let's go! Come on, get going!

I had imagined what war would be like.

But I hadn't imagined anything like this.

Everybody had been waiting for it, but nobody expected it so suddenly.

Ordinary and terrible.

I ran to that house. It was an assembly point in the event of war.

That's what was written in the roster.

But it was there, in a building that had already been destroyed.

Stop! No weapons without orders from the officers!

Hurry up!

I didn't get a weapon.

But I had my own weapon.

And no permission was required for that.

Everything seems to have gone quiet.

Son, crawl into the cellar.

Run. Run, son.

You can't come in here. You can't come in here!

THE FORTRESS, THE VOLYN FORTIFICATION, HOSPITAL

Where are you going?

THE VOLYN FORTIFICATION, NORTHERN GATE

Stop panicking.

THE VOLYN FORTIFICATION, EASTERN FORT

Get back, I said! Go back to the barracks!