Scene from Батальонъ / Battalion (2014)

Battalion / Батальонъ

Published: April 18, 2016

Russia, 1917, WWI. This is the story of the 1st Russian Women’s Battalion of Death, formed by the Russian Provisional Government in late May of 1917. When the revolution takes place in Russia during the third year of WWI, the country faces a political crisis leading to the collapse of the Russian army. The Provisional Government makes an unprecedented decision to create a new women’s battalion, as propaganda to challenge men, even if by shaming them, to defend the Motherland. The women, though, serve beyond all expectations, setting an example of courage and self-sacrifice. Moved by the ideals of high honor and a deep faith in God, the women volunteers brave the chaos and anarchy of the Russian army, toxic gas attacks, and, in the night battle of July 9, prove that every one of them is not just a “war muse” but a true soldier worthy of the deepest respect, laying down their lives in the name of freedom and for their country. This Russian war drama was first released February 20, 2015.

Director: Dmitry Meskhiev
Starring: Maria Aronova, Maria Kozhevnikova, Irina Rakhmanova, Marat Basharov

Buy this movie on Amazon with English subtitles

Battalion Movie Poster

About the author

Josh Wilson

Josh lived in Moscow, Russia, from 2003 to 2022. He first arrived to study Russian with SRAS. He holds an M.A. in Theatre and a B.A. in History from Idaho State University, where his masters thesis was written on the political economy of Soviet-era censorship organs affecting the stage. At SRAS, Josh assists in program development and leads our Internship Programs. He is also the editor-in-chief for the SRAS newsletter, the SRAS Family of Sites, and Vestnik. He has previously served as Communications Director to Bellerage Alinga and has served as a consultant or translator to several businesses and organizations with interests in Russia.

Program attended: SRAS Staff Member

View all posts by: Josh Wilson