Documentary Film in Berlin: “The Battle for Berlin”
Battle for Berlin: rare Soviet wartime footage uncovered. Language: English. (1978)
“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+
“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+
Tags: Battle of Berlin film , documentary Battle of Berlin , Battle of Berlin 2026 , film premiere Berlin , Russian cinema in Germany , Russian films in Berlin , European documentary film , Battle of Berlin screening , Russian cinema in Europe , Berlin cinema 2026 , cultural events Berlin , Russian film screenings , Russian directors Germany , Berlin cinema show , documentary film festival Berlin , Berlin events 2026 , film premieres Germany , Battle of Berlin documentary , World War II films , war chronicle documentary , cinema Europe 2026 , Russian culture Germany , Berlin movie guide , Russian film screening , Russian cinema Europe , documentary Berlin
| Date: | 06.05.2026 |
| Time: | 19:00 |
| Venue: | Russisches Haus Berlin |
| Address: | Friedrichstraße 176, 10117 Berlin |
| All dates and venues | |
| Бесплатный билет | |
Upcoming events
Vivalis Project – festive piano concert in Hamburg
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Friedrich-Ebert-Halle
Alter Postweg 34, 21075 Hamburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Deutsches Haus
Berliner Platz 1, 24937 Flensburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Stadthalle
Kleinflecken 1 , 24534 Neumünster
Новогодняя детская елка в Гамбурге 2025-2026. Театр Юного Зрителя
Rudolf Steiner Haus
Mittelweg 11-12, 20148 Hamburg
Stand-up comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Hamburg (Germany)
Indra Club 64
Große Freiheit 64, 22767 Hamburg
Kaspiyskiy Gruz band in Hamburg (Germany) 2026
GROSSE FREIHEIT 36
Große Freiheit 36, 22767 Hamburg
Instrumental tribute to Joe Hisaishi in Hamburg (Germany)
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Contemporary classical music concert: “From Einaudi to Zimmer” in Hamburg
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Valeriy Meladze in Hamburg 2026
Congress Center Hamburg
Am Dammtor / Marseiller Straße, 20355 Hamburg
The Play “The Master and Margarita” in Germany
Rudolf Steiner Haus
Mittelweg 11-12, 20148 Hamburg
Спектакль «ЧЕМОДАН» по рассказам Сергея Довлатова в Гамбурге
Theater Kehrwieder
Kehrwieder 6, 20457 Hamburg
A piano journey through the soundtracks of the century. Concert in Hamburg
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Masterpieces of rock music in instrumental arrangements. Concert in Hamburg
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Galym Kaliakbarov in Hamburg 2026
Bürgerhaus Wilhelmsburg
Mengestraße 20, 21107 Hamburg
Incredible Zimmer: tribute to the film composer. Concert in Hamburg (Germany)
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Instrumental Meladze tribute in Hamburg (Germany) 2026
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
