From what I remember, its very intense. Its not very graphic or gore heavy, but it does depict some of the worst things that came to pass in World War 2. Its really a shame we never got a Band of Brothers-esque series about the eastern front, when it was far more deserving than anywhere else in the world. Instead we just really only have Come and See.
It could still be made, but without the actual survivors giving testimony, its going to feel a lot more like a piece of fiction than it really was. It would also have to be longer and much more willing to kill leads than anything in the various American cinema we've gotten over the years.
It's such an insane chunk of history, and I can already picture it opening on the pure white as we're introduced to the short lived company commander in the Winter War. And then just imagining he's executed by a commissar before the end of the first episode for getting his entire company stalled out and trapped between the enemy positions; thus killing our first lead and introducing us to our first small squad of people who have the rest of the episode filmed inside of a tank for warmth and shelter as the Finns take potshots at anyone trying to clear out their position.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_War_(TV_series)
I haven't watched this, but now that I know it exists, I might.
Honestly, it’s a very unpleasant film to watch. If you’re someone who’s super sensitive to graphic depictions of violence I’d honestly maybe skip it. I’m not and it gave me nightmares.
I’ll echo what another poster said, if you’re really determined to watch it anyway maybe go ahead and spoil the ending for yourself. That’s the worst part and knowing what you’re about to see may soften the blow a bit.
Yes, it's a great movie. It's very intense at times but there is very little blood and gore. I'd try and get someone to watch with you if that's possible. It is a very thought-provoking movie. It instantly became one of my favorite films of all time when I watched it in December.
(I've tried to get two of my friends to watch, but both of them are major slackers).
very little blood and gore.
That’s not really what’s disturbing about the film. Excess blood and gore is usually seen as comical by most people.
I know, but a common misconception about the film is that is basically a war film version of Salo or something.
Okay I get that.
Yeah it’s definitely more emotionally disturbing
It’s pretty heavy. You’ll feel something that isn’t sadness inside you watching this. Knowing that shit like this happened and people still support and are active Nazis today.
Watch it. It's a horror movie, not a war movie. It's simultaneously surreal and completely real.
You will hate Nazis even more.
I really like this movie, have seen it over a dozen times over the years. It's a tough watch, but the ending always leaves me feeling resolute. Like this is fascism, this is what it does, this is why we must fight them. Every single time.
If you feel like films make it too visceral for you but you still want to learn about Nazi-occupied Belarus, I highly recommend Svetlana Alexievich's book The Last Witnesses. It's interviews with Soviet citizens who were children in WW2 - most of them in Belarus.
I've seen bits of Come and See but I don't think I'll ever watch it fully. One of my grandpa's was around the main character's age when he lived through Nazi occupation in Belarus. I don't wanna see it. Good luck if you decide to watch!
You should watch it, as it’s an excellent film.
It’s not as disturbing as Irreversible, if that makes you feel any better.
Truly fantastic movie. Pretty hard watch, though not because of gore or anything. It's just so damn tense.
Ehhhh, I’d still be cautious. You’re gonna feel pretty crappy after watching it.
If you psych yourself out too much, that will replace the experience of the movie! Just watch it, it's great
You can watch it on Youtube behind a VPN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkkJZweYaLI
