This film has become known as one of the best Russian films about the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.   The “old men” in this squadron were no older than twenty; but those “wet behind the ears”, reinforcements fresh from flying schools with accelerated training, were not allowed to go to battle for quite a while.   They had yet to experience everything – the heat of the battle, the joy of the first victory over the enemy, the grandeur of a brotherhood strengthened with blood, the first love, and the bitterness of a loss.  Then there came the day when, on hearing the command “only ‘old men’ are going to battle”, it was they who rushed to their planes.  In  its first year at the theatres, the film was seen by 44.3 million viewers – a record in the history of world cinema.  When this war musical was released (1973), audiences thronged at the theatres, asking for a “spare” ticket, and the old, long-forgotten “Darkie” song became very popular again.  

DVD-R IS IN RUSSIAN WITH SWITCHABLE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.  APPROXIMATELY 88 MINUTES.  IN VERY GOOD QUALITY. 

REGION FREE  (will play in any dvd player).