The Unknown Soldier

Eero Aho

Aku Louhimies' The Unknown Soldier is a three hour Finnish epic that follows a single battalion through the course of Finland's Continuation War with the Soviet Union which lasted from 1941-1944 and followed the 1939-40 Winter War between the two combatants. The film chronicles the forth and back of the conflict across Karelia and the Soviet Union. Based on Väinö Linna's 1954 autobiographical novel, this overly handsome, yet technically assured film works best as a combat procedural. A strong point of view is lacking, though, except that war is heck.

Part of the problem is the broad canvas this 2017 flick attempts. Because of this, many of the characters come off as one dimensional: you get a Fascist, a Communist, and a raw recruit who you know is going to bite the bullet because he looks like Bambi. The director and fellow scenarist Jari Rantala have attempted to amplify our understanding of the protagonists by adding more about their loved ones waiting on the home front than is contained in the original novel, but this brings mixed results. It helps the audience better understand the civilian displacement caused by the war, but also overextends an already lengthy project. The romantic lead is a total washout, but Eero Aho as the insolent Corporal Rokka gives the film the focal point it badly needs.