They Fought for Their Motherland

In July 1942, in the Second World War, the rearguard of the Russian army protects the bridgehead of the Don River against the German army while the retreating Russian troops cross the bridge. While they move back to the Russian territory through the countryside, the soldiers show their companionship, sentiments, fears and heroism to defend their motherland.

CAST

Vasiliy ShukshinPyotr Lopakhin

Vyacheslav Tikhonovpvt. Nikolay Strel'tsov

Sergei Bondarchukpvt. Ivan Zvyagintsev

Georgi Burkovpvt. Alexander Kopytovsky

Yuriy Nikulinpvt. Nekrasov

Ivan Lapikovsergeant Poprischenko

Nikolai Gubenkolieutenant Goloschyokov

Andrei Rostotskycorporal Kochetygov

Nikolay Volkovpvt. Nikiforov

Mykola Shutkocook lisichenko

Evgeniy SamoylovColonel Marchenko

Nonna MordyukovaNatalya Stepanovna

Innokentiy Smoktunovskiysurgeon

Angelina Stepanovaold Cossack woman

Irina Skobtsevahead nurse