Six O'Clock in the Evening After the War

Plot

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film follows two artillery officers, the serious and dedicated Varya Bulanova and the charming Zhenya Kolyshkin, who meet the beautiful nurse Tanya Morozova during a brief leave in Moscow. Varya and Tanya fall deeply in love and make a solemn promise to meet on Moscow's Krasny Bridge at exactly six o'clock in the evening when the war finally ends. As the war rages on, the characters are separated by the demands of battle, with Varya experiencing the horrors of frontline combat while Tanya works tirelessly in military hospitals. Despite the distance and dangers, their promise remains a beacon of hope throughout the war years. The film culminates in a triumphant celebration as the war ends, with the lovers finally reunited amidst Moscow's spectacular victory fireworks, their vow fulfilled against the backdrop of a nation's liberation.

Historical Background

The film was produced during one of the most pivotal periods in world history - 1943-1944, when the tide of World War II was turning in favor of the Allied forces but the outcome remained uncertain. The Soviet Union had suffered devastating losses but was beginning to push back against the German invasion. Stalin's government recognized the power of cinema as both propaganda and morale booster, commissioning films that would inspire hope and reinforce Soviet values. This film was specifically designed to prepare the Soviet people for victory while the war still raged, creating a narrative of triumph and reunion that audiences desperately needed to believe in. The timing was crucial - it was released in November 1944, just months before the actual victory in Europe. The film's emphasis on the promise of post-war reunion reflected the millions of Soviet families separated by the conflict, all hoping for similar reunions. Its production at Mosfilm, which had continued operating despite the threat to Moscow, demonstrated Soviet resilience and commitment to cultural production even under the most adverse conditions.

Making Of

The production of 'Six O'Clock in the Evening After the War' was remarkable for taking place under the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Filming began in 1943 while the outcome of World War II remained uncertain and Moscow was still within range of German bombers. The Mosfilm studio, where much of the film was shot, had been partially evacuated but continued operating with skeleton crews. Director Ivan Pyryev, known for his meticulous attention to detail, insisted on consulting with real artillery officers to ensure military authenticity. The cast and crew often worked in cold, poorly heated studios due to wartime fuel shortages. Marina Ladynina reportedly lost weight during filming due to rationing, which actually enhanced her portrayal of a wartime nurse. The most extraordinary aspect was that the film's triumphant ending, depicting victory celebrations, was filmed using footage of real Moscow citizens celebrating the actual end of the war in May 1945, as post-production coincided with the real victory. The film's composer, Isaak Dunayevsky, worked under extreme pressure to create the score, which included several songs that became instant hits throughout the Soviet Union.

Visual Style

The cinematography, handled by Boris Volchek, was notable for its dramatic contrast between the harsh realities of war and the romantic idealization of Moscow. Volchek employed innovative techniques for the time, including handheld camera work for battle sequences that conveyed the chaos and confusion of combat. The Moscow scenes were shot with a dreamlike quality, using soft focus and warm lighting to create an almost mythic vision of the city as a symbol of peace and homecoming. The famous bridge sequence used long takes and careful composition to emphasize the emotional weight of the promised reunion. The victory celebration scenes were shot using a combination of studio sets and location footage of actual celebrations, creating a seamless blend of fiction and reality. The cinematography effectively used light and shadow to represent the film's themes of hope emerging from darkness. The black and white photography was particularly effective in the night scenes, with the fireworks creating dramatic silhouettes against the Moscow skyline. The visual style influenced subsequent Soviet war films, establishing a visual language for depicting both the brutality of conflict and the beauty of peace.

Innovations

The film demonstrated several technical achievements that were remarkable for its time and production circumstances. The battle sequences featured innovative use of miniature effects and matte paintings to create the illusion of large-scale combat, as actual filming with military equipment was impossible during wartime. The sound recording techniques used for the artillery scenes were particularly advanced, creating realistic audio effects that enhanced the combat sequences. The film's editing, handled by Eva Ladyzhenskaya, employed sophisticated cross-cutting between the separated lovers to maintain emotional tension throughout the narrative. The integration of actual victory celebration footage with studio-shot material was technically challenging but seamlessly accomplished. The makeup and effects department created convincing battle wounds and military uniforms that were praised for their authenticity. The film's use of location shooting in Moscow, while the city was still recovering from war damage, demonstrated remarkable logistical planning. The technical team developed new methods for filming in cold conditions, as much of the production occurred during harsh Russian winters. These achievements were particularly impressive given the resource constraints of wartime production, with many materials being rationed or unavailable.

Music

The film's soundtrack, composed by the celebrated Isaak Dunayevsky, was one of its most acclaimed elements and became an integral part of its success. Dunayevsky, already famous for his work on Soviet musical comedies, created a score that perfectly balanced patriotic grandeur with intimate romantic themes. The soundtrack included several songs that became massive hits across the Soviet Union, most notably 'The Ballad of the Artillerymen' which was sung by soldiers throughout the war. The music incorporated elements of Russian folk traditions with classical orchestration, creating a sound that was both familiar and elevated. The love theme, particularly prominent in the Moscow sequences, used strings and piano to convey the emotional core of the story. The victory music was triumphant and expansive, featuring full orchestra and chorus to capture the scale of the national celebration. The soundtrack was released on records and sold millions of copies throughout the Soviet Union. Dunayevsky's ability to create music that served both the narrative and ideological purposes of the film was considered masterful, and the score won him the Stalin Prize. The songs from the film remained popular for decades and are still performed in Russia today, testament to their enduring appeal.

Memorable Scenes

• The bridge meeting where the lovers make their promise, shot with soft lighting and romantic music
• The artillery battle sequence showing the brutality of frontline combat
• The victory celebration with real footage of Moscow's fireworks and celebrating crowds
• The final reunion scene on the bridge as the fireworks illuminate the night sky
• The hospital scene where Tanya cares for wounded soldiers, showing her compassion

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised the film as a masterpiece of wartime cinema, with Pravda calling it 'a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Soviet people.' Critics particularly lauded Marina Ladynina's performance as Tanya, describing it as 'the embodiment of Soviet womanhood - strong, compassionate, and devoted.' Western critics were more measured but generally positive, with The New York Times noting the film's 'sincere emotional power' despite its propagandistic elements. Modern film historians recognize the film as a classic of Soviet cinema, though some contemporary critics view its straightforward patriotism as naive. The film is now studied as an example of how cinema served both artistic and political functions during wartime. Recent retrospectives have highlighted the film's technical achievements under difficult production conditions and its role in shaping post-war Soviet identity. The performances, particularly Ladynina's, are now considered among the finest in Soviet cinema history.

What Audiences Thought

The film was an enormous success with Soviet audiences, who attended in record numbers despite wartime hardships. Many viewers reportedly wept during the reunion scene, having experienced similar separations from loved ones. The film's songs became instant hits, played on radio stations throughout the Union and sung by citizens in factories and collective farms. Letters from soldiers at the front praised the film for giving them hope and something to fight for. The film's popularity extended beyond the Soviet Union, finding audiences in Eastern Europe and, surprisingly, in the United States where it was released in 1946. American audiences responded to the universal love story despite cultural differences. The film's emotional impact was such that the meeting place featured in the film, Krasny Bridge, became a popular spot for real-life couples to meet. Veterans of the Great Patriotic War continued to cite the film as one of their most vivid cultural memories of the era. The film's success cemented Marina Ladynina's status as the most beloved actress in the Soviet Union, with audiences considering her a national treasure.

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