The Unknown Soldier (1955 film)

The Unknown Soldier

A DVD cover for The Unknown Soldier.
Directed by Edvin Laine
Produced by T. J. Särkkä
Written by Juha Nevalainen,
Väinö Linna
Starring Kosti Klemelä,
Heikki Savolainen,
Reino Tolvanen
Distributed by Suomen Filmiteollisuus
Release dates
 December 1955
Running time
 2 h 49 min
Country Finland
Language Finnish

The Unknown Soldier (Finnish: Tuntematon sotilas) is a Finnish film directed by Edvin Laine and premiered in December 1955. It is based on The Unknown Soldier, a novel by Väinö Linna. The story is about the Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet Union as told from the viewpoint of ordinary Finnish soldiers. The film was and remains the most successful movie ever in Finland; about 2.8 million people, or more than half the Finnish population, saw it in theaters. Its portrayal of Linna's characters is widely accepted as canonical. In 1985 Rauni Mollberg directed a new version of the film.

Since 2000, Yle has broadcast the film every year on the Independence Day of Finland (December 6). In 2015, the movie was moved to Yle Teema, away from its usual slot on either Yle TV1 or Yle TV2.

Cast

The Unknown Soldier and Finnish Cinematographic Art commemorative coin

See also

External links

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