One of the “Most Devastating” World War II Movies Ever Made Still Holds Up

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War movies have captivated viewers since the beginning of Hollywood, offering thrilling action, compelling stories, and a look at the impact of conflict. While the United States is known for famous war films like Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now, and Platoon, many other countries have also created excellent movies in this genre. One particularly powerful example is the 1985 historical anti-war film Come and See, which is considered a masterpiece of cinema.

I recently watched a film called Come and See, directed by Elem Klimov, and it completely changed me. It’s set during World War II, and it tells the story of a 15-year-old boy in Byelorussia who joins the resistance against the German occupation. Honestly, it’s incredibly difficult to watch because it shows the brutal realities of war – the sheer horror and struggle for survival. Even though it first came out over 40 years ago, people still consider it one of the best films ever made, and I can see why. It’s a truly powerful and realistic depiction of what it means to be human in the face of terrible conflict, and it’s stayed with me long after the credits rolled.

Klimov Leaves a Haunting Mark on Cinema With ‘Come and See’


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Elem Klimov’s film Come and See is a powerful World War II drama set in German-occupied Belarus in 1943. The film stars Aleksei Kravchenko as Flyora, a 15-year-old boy who, against his family’s wishes, joins the Resistance to fight the Nazis. Throughout the film, Flyora experiences a devastating loss of innocence as he witnesses horrific acts of violence. It’s a story about his struggle to survive and maintain hope in a country ravaged by war.

Elem Klimov co-wrote the screenplay for Come and See with Ales Adamovich, drawing inspiration from Adamovich’s experiences as a child soldier in the Belarusian resistance and Klimov’s own wartime memories. Klimov, his mother, and brother were forced to escape Stalingrad during the battle, crossing the Volga River on a raft – an event that profoundly impacted the film. The award-winning director once explained how his past shaped Come and See, saying, “As a child, I experienced hell… If I had shown everything I knew, even I couldn’t have watched it.”

Roger Ebert Is Left Stunned by ‘Come and See’


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The film Come and See premiered at the Moscow International Film Festival and won the top prize, shocking viewers with its intense depiction of war’s brutality and psychological impact. Director Klimov reported that the film was so disturbing that medical assistance was needed for distressed audience members in both the Soviet Union and other countries. Film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times later described it as “one of the most devastating films ever made,” suggesting that the characters who survive are almost to be envied for not having succumbed to the horrors depicted.

Roger Ebert gave Come and See a four-star review, and, like many critics, he especially praised Aleksei Kravchenko, who was fifteen at the time. Kravchenko brilliantly portrayed both the innocence of youth and a profound sense of world-weariness. Ebert noted that Kravchenko’s character, Flyora, appeared younger at the beginning of the film and much older later on, suggesting that Flyora might survive because he seems so helpless—a character whose mind is clearly shattered by what he’s experiencing. Kravchenko’s powerful and moving performance as the resilient teenager was widely celebrated and is often considered one of the best performances ever given by a child actor.

When Come and See debuted in 1985, it was groundbreaking for its disturbing and violent portrayal of the horrors of war, specifically the Khatyn massacre. Film critic Roger Ebert described it as one of the most brutally honest depictions of human evil he had ever seen. The film turned out to be the last directed by Elem Klimov, who struggled with the shifting political and cultural landscape in Russia. He eventually became the head of the Soviet Filmmakers’ Union. Before his death in 2003, Klimov stated he’d lost his passion for filmmaking, feeling he had already explored everything he wanted to with the medium.

Since its release 40 years ago, Come and See has continued to powerfully move and disturb viewers worldwide, solidifying its place as a cinematic masterpiece. Widely considered one of the best anti-war films ever made, it’s also frequently ranked among the greatest films of all time. Critics love it – it currently has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – and audiences agree, giving it an 8.3/10 on IMDb. It’s even the second-highest-rated movie on Letterboxd, surpassing beloved classics like The Godfather and Seven Samurai. You can rent Come and See on Apple TV and Google Play.

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2025-10-26 01:21