Introduction

The Unknown Soldier (Finnish: Tuntematon Sotilas) is a Finnish film from 1985 directed by Rauni Mollberg.

It is based on the best selling Finnish novel by the same name written by Väinö Linna.

It is the second film adaptation of Linna’s novel, the first one being the 1955 film of the same title, directed by Edvin Laine.

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Outline

Set against the events of the Finnish Continuation war, the film follows a machine gun troop’s journey into the Soviet Union.

The troop includes the simple-minded Hietanen, the jokey Vanhala, the cynical Lahtinen, the cowardly Riitaoja and grumpy Lehto.

The film also follows the command officers, such as the happy and slightly senile Captain Kaarna, the young and idealistic Captain Kariluoto and the strict and unsympathetic Lieutenant Lammio.

They face many struggles, such as seeing the supportive Kaarna die in their first battle and three of the soldiers refusing to leave their punishment post during an air-raid, as well as defending the trenches after the Finns have taken back parts of Karelia.

Partway through their journey, the troop is joined by Rokka, a Karelian veteran of the Winter War, who also clashes with Lammio due to having little respect for military discipline, despite being an excellent and capable soldier.

Cast

• Risto Tuorila – Koskela.
• Pirkka-Pekka Petelius – Hietanen.
• Paavo Liski – Rokka.
• Mika Mäkelä – Rahikainen.
• Pertti Koivula – Lahtinen.
• Tero Niva – Vanhala.
• Ossi-Ensio Korvuo – Määttä.
• Mikko Niskanen – Salo.
• Pauli Poranen – Lehto.
• Hannu Kivioja – Riitaoja.
• Juha Riihimäki – Sihvonen.
• Seppo Juusonen – Susi.
• Timo Virkki – Honkajoki.
• Vesa Ala-Seppälä – Hauhia.
• Risto Hetta – Vuorela.

Trivia

• Mollberg used young and unknown actors, many of whom are now famous.
• The film was shot in colour with much hand-held footage, attempting to portray the story more realistically than the prior Edvin Laine version.
  • This has often led to unfavourable comparisons with the better-known 1955 adaption.
• Although a full musical score was composed for the movie, Mollberg released the finished film without it for stylistic reasons.
• It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.
• The film was selected as the Finnish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 59th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Tuntematon Sotilas Series

You can find a full index and overview of Tuntematon Sotilas here.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Rauni Mollberg.
• Producer(s): Rauni Mollberg.
• Writer(s): Veikko Aaltonen, Vaino Linna, and Rauni Mollberg.
• Music: Heikki Valpola.
• Cinematography: Esa Vuorinen.
• Editor(s): Olli Soinio.
• Production: Arctic-Filmi.
• Distributor(s): Kinosto.
• Release Date: 06 December 1985.
• Running Time: 199 minutes (theatrical version) and 227 minutes (TV version).
• Country: Finland.
• Language: Finnish.