Review of Ballad of a Soldier (1959) by Walter M — 30 Jul 2005

[font=Century Gothic]"Ballad of a Soldier" takes place in the Soviet Union during World War II. A 19-year old soldier, Alexei, cut off from his unit and on the run luckily manages to not only survive but also takes out two enemy tanks. His general wants to decorate him but Alexei wants to return home for a day to do two things he left undone when left for the war - to properly say goodbye to his mother and to repair the roof. At first, the general does not grant the request but then he acquiesces. Alexei has two days to get there, two days at home and two days to return.[/font].

[font=Century Gothic]"Ballad of a Soldier"'s main theme concerns itself with still being a good human being even under the worst circumstances. Alexei is not a coward by temporarily leaving the front; he is simply seeking to complete what he left unfinished. He always seems to be thinking more of other people than himself. The movie is exciting and suspenseful but never without emotion. In fact, it does not fall into traps that other movies namely "Central Station" stumble through. The sentiment never overwhelms the rest of the action.[/font].