“The Unknown War” (1978) is a landmark documentary film resulting from a rare collaboration between the Soviet Union and the United States. Its foundation consists of more than one million meters of archival footage shot by Soviet frontline cameramen — much of it previously unseen by the general public.
The production team brought together prominent figures from both countries. The narration is performed by American actor Burt Lancaster, who later called the project one of the most remarkable in his career. Journalist Harrison E. Salisbury contributed to the film’s conceptual foundation, while producer Isaac Kleiner oversaw artistic direction. Soviet documentary filmmaker Roman Karmen and his team undertook extensive archival research and material selection.
A key focus is the battle for Berlin in the spring of 1945. The film demonstrates how Soviet forces struggled toward the city center as Nazi leadership mobilized its final reserves. Civilian militias, including teenagers aged 14–15, were forced to fight. Meanwhile, Hitler, Goebbels, Göring and other high-ranking officials hid in a bunker as the situation collapsed.
Combining archival visuals, commentary and analytical context, the film provides a compelling perspective on the final stage of World War II.
Production: USSR / USA
Language: English
Year: 1978
Age rating: 12+
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| Date: | 06.05.2026 |
| Time: | 19:00 |
| Venue: | Russisches Haus Berlin |
| Address: | Friedrichstraße 176, 10117 Berlin |
| All dates and venues | |
| Бесплатный билет | |
Badner Halle
Kapellenstraße 20 - 22, 76437 Rastatt
Konzerthaus Karlsruhe
Festplatz 9, 76137 Karlsruhe
Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten
Rektor-Klaus-Straße 9, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd
Konzerthaus Ravensburg
Wilhelmstraße 3, 88212 Ravensburg
Edwin Scharff Haus
Silcherstraße 40, 89231 Neu Ulm
Festhalle Harmonie
Allee 28, 74072 Heilbronn
Stadthalle Aalen
Berliner Platz 1, 73430 Aalen
Saalbau Neustadt
Bahnhofstraße 1, 67434 Neustadt an der Weinstraße
Ratiopharm Arena
Europastraße 25, 89231 Neu-Ulm
Stadthalle Singen
Hohgarten 4, 78224 Singen (Hohentwiel)
Congress Centrum Würzburg
Pleichertorstr. 12, 97070 Würzburg
Konzerthaus Ravensburg
Wilhelmstraße 3, 88212 Ravensburg
Paulussaal Freiburg
Dreisamstr. 3, 79098 Freiburg
Festhalle Harmonie
Allee 28, 74072 Heilbronn
Badnerlandhalle Neureut
Rubensstr. 21, 76149 Karlsruhe
Festhalle
Saarlandstr. 9, 66482 Zweibrücken
Theater am Olgaeck
Charlottenstraße 44, 70182 Stuttgart
Konzerthaus Karlsruhe
Festplatz 9, 76137 Karlsruhe
Proton the Club
Königstraße 49, 70173 Stuttgart
Congress Centrum
Am Waisenhausplatz 1 - 3, 75172 Pforzheim
Festhalle Harmonie
Allee 28, 74072 Heilbronn
Sängerhalle Stuttgart
Lindenschulstraße 29, 70327 Stuttgart
Bürgerhaus Zähringen
Lameystraße 2, 79108 Freiburg
Stadthalle
Festplatz 4, 76137 Karlsruhe