THE BATTLE ON THE RIVER NERETVA

Director: Veljko Bulajić

Screenwriter: Ratko Đurović, Stevan Bulajić, Veljko Bulajić, Ugo Pirro

Cinematografpher: Tomislav Pinter

Scenography: Vladimir Tadej, Dušan Jeričević

Costume Designer: Vladimir Tadej

Music: Vanja Bjenjaš, Jelena Bjenjaš

Editor: Vanja Bjenjaš, Jelena Bjenjaš

Cast: Sergej Bondarčuk, Yul Brynner, Silva Košćina, Oleg Vidov, Franco Nero, Hardy Krueger, Velimir Bata Živojinović, Stole Aranđelović, Sibina Mijatović, Orson Welles, Anthony Dawson, Milena Dravić, Špela Rozin, Ljubiša Samardžić

Production:

Bosna film

Synopsis:

Acting on Hitler’s direct order, German generals launch the operation “Weiss” to destroy the Yugoslav Partisans. Eighteen divisions of German and Italian armies backed by local collaborationist forces manage to push back and encircle the partisans. The partisans are outnumbered 6 to 1 and are also handicapped by a large number of injured and sick soldiers and civilians who accompany them. After long and difficult battles, the partisan units, their HQ, as well as wounded soldiers, soldiers infected with typhus and fleeing civilians, find themselves surrounded in a narrow stretch of land alongside a bank of the cold and rough River Neretva. There is only one bridge left over the river and on the other side of it strong enemy forces await the partisans, ready to massacre the wounded and sick soldiers and helpless civilians. Tito orders the destruction of the bridge, to the surprise of the enemy forces. Nazis order their troops to cross to the other side of the river expecting that the partisans will embark on a suicide mission to break through their ranks.