“The Unknown War” (1978) is a remarkable documentary produced through a rare collaboration between the Soviet Union and the United States. It is based on more than one million meters of unique footage shot by Soviet frontline cameramen, much of which remained unseen by the public for decades.
The film impresses not only through powerful historical visuals but also through the depth of international cooperation. The narration is delivered by American actor Burt Lancaster, who later described the project as “the most extraordinary film production ever created.” The script involved Harrison E. Salisbury, a noted expert on Russia and former war correspondent in Moscow. Artistic supervision was provided by American producer Isaac Kleiner, while Soviet documentarian Roman Karmen and his team tirelessly examined military archives.
The narrative highlights the decisive actions of Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin in shaping the outcome of the war. With the Allied landing in France and the opening of the Second Front, the liberation of Western Europe began. General de Gaulle returned to Paris after years in exile. The Yalta Conference hosted crucial Allied negotiations, and Soviet and American troops famously met at the Elbe River.
Documentary in English.
USSR, USA, 1978
Age rating: 12+
Tags: Russian cinema in Germany , Russian films in Berlin , Russian cinema in Europe , cinema Europe 2026 , war film Berlin , military documentary Germany , WWII documentary films , cinema Berlin 2026 , film premiere in Berlin , Russian documentaries , film screening in Germany , historical cinema Berlin , war documentaries Europe , Soviet chronicles Berlin , military documentary films , documentary film festival Germany , films about war in Europe , cultural events Berlin 2026 , WWII screenings Berlin , historical documentary Germany , documentary Russia Germany , Berlin movie guide 2026 , war movies Germany , Russian cinema Germany Europe , Documentary film Allies Berlin 2026 , documentary project Allies
| Date: | 29.04.2026 |
| Time: | 19:00 |
| Venue: | Russisches Haus der Wissenschaft und Kultur |
| Address: | Friedrichstraße 176, 10117 Berlin |
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Kulturzentrum Trudering
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Kraftwerk Mitte
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Friedrich-Ebert-Halle
Alter Postweg 34, 21075 Hamburg
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Uber Platz 2, 10243 Berlin
Gasteig
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Kuthstraße 27, 51107 Köln
Freie Akademie der Künste
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Die Stadtmitte Karlsruhe
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Sindlingen Haus
Sindlinger Bahnstr. 124, 65931 Frankfurt am Main
Jahrhunderthalle
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Saz Club & Bar Giessen
An d. Automeile 20c, 35394 Gießen
Sindlingen Haus
Sindlinger Bahnstr. 124, 65931 Frankfurt am Main
Olympiahalle
Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 München
Sindlingen Haus
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Kulturzentrum Trudering
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Batschkapp
Gwinnerstraße 5, 60388 Frankfurt am Main