I. N. Strekalov. The Epic Film “Liberation”: a Continuation of the Epic Post-War Traditions
or a New Stage in the Soviet War Cinema? // Petersburg Historical Journal, no. 1, 2026,
pp. 107–118.

DOI: 10.51255/2311–603X_2026_1_107

Abstract:

The article deals with the significance and role of the epic film “Liberation” (directed by Yuri
Ozerov, 1970–1971) in the development of the Soviet film epic genre. Learning the archival documents of the Committee for Cinematography under the USSR Council of Ministers, the USSR Union of Cinematography Workers, and the Mosfilm Studios, the researcher concludes that the Soviet filmmakers came to the conclusion it was impossible to return to the traditions of the late Stalinist epics (“The Third Strike”, “The Battle of Stalingrad”, and “The Fall of Berlin”) when creating a new epic film about the Great Patriotic War, and they found possible to retain the epic form created in these films only. The film “Liberation” became an independent stage in the development of the Soviet military-patriotic cinema.

Key words: film epic, Great Patriotic War, Stalin, cult of personality, Yuri Ozerov.

Author:

Strekalov, Ilya Nikolaevich — PhD in History, doctoral student, Moscow State University.
M. V. Lomonosova (Moscow, Russia).
E-mail: strekalov4@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-0877-0435

References:
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Khanyutin, Yu. Napravleniya glavnogo udara [The Directions of the Main Impacts. In Russ.]. In Kino i vremya. 1977. No. 1, pp. 59–71.

Kovalov, O. “Piry Valtasara…” Yuriya Kary prevrashchayut Iosifa Stalina v grotesknogo geroya masskul’ta[“The Feasts of Balthasar…” by Yuri Kara Turns Joseph Stalin into a Grotesque Hero of Mass Culture. In Russ.]. In Noveishaya istoriya otechestvennogo kino. 1986–2000. Kino i kontekst. Vol. V: 1989–1991. Moscow, Seans publ., 2004, pp. 116–121.

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Pal’shkova, M. “Osvobozhdenie” Yuriya Ozerova i mezhdunarodnyi opyt voennoi epopei [Yuri Ozerov’s “Liberation” and International Experience of the Epic Film. In Russ.]. In K 100-letiyu Yuriya Ozerova (materialy kruglogo stola). Moscow, VGIK press, 2021, pp. 40–46.

Rudnik, S. Kinoepopeya “Osvobozhdenie” i sovetskoe obshchestvo: put’ k uspekhu i kriticheskii vzglyad [Epic Film “Liberation” and the Soviet Society: The Way to Success and Critical View. In Russ.]. In Gertsenovskie chteniya 2017. Aktual’nye problemy russkoi istorii. St. Petersburg, ElekSis publ., 2018, pp. 330–341.

Strekalov, I. Kinoepopeya “Osvobozhdenie” i perekhod “ot oborony k nastupleniyu” v sovetskom voennopatrioticheskom kino [The Epic Film “Liberation” and Transition “from Defence to Attack” in the Soviet Military-Patriotic Cinema. In Russ.]. In Teatr. Zhivopis’. Kino. Muzyka. 2025. No. 1, pp. 85–104.

Strekalov, I. Velikaya osvoboditel’naya missiya Sovetskoi Armii: politicheskie i ideologicheskie prichiny poyavleniya kinoepopei “Osvobozhdenie” (1962–1965 gg.) [The Great Liberation Mission of the Soviet Army: Political and Ideological Reasons of the Epic Film “Liberations” Appearance (1962–1965). In Russ.]. In Noveishaya istoriya Rossii. 2025. Vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 701–717.

Sumenov, N., Sul’kin, O. Yurii Ozerov [Yuri Ozerov. In Russ.]. Moscow, Iskusstvo publ., 1986. 240 p.

Volkov, E., Ponomareva, E. Igrovoe kino kak istoricheskii istochnik dlya izucheniya kul’turnoi pamyati [Feature Films as a Historical Source for Studying Cultural Memory. In Russ.]. In Vestnik YuUrGU. Sotsial’nogumanitarnye nauki. 2012. No. 10, pp. 22–26.

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