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Third Time
Третий тайм
1963 83 min Soviet Union 12+
★7.1
War, Drama
Director: Yevgeni Karelov
Trailers
Description
The film is based on the real fact — football «The Death Match» between the German team and a team of Soviet prisoners of war, former "Dinamo". It happened in Kiev on June 22, 1942. Anticipating the possibility of losing, the Germans made a condition — defeat or death. If the Germans won, the Soviet footballers were promised freedom...
Starring
Yuri Volkov
Actor
Vladimir Kashpur
Actor
Leonid Kuravlyov
Actor
Key opinion
This 1963 Soviet drama is widely considered the most compelling and grounded portrayal of the 'Death Match' legend, contrasting favorably with later international and domestic remakes. While viewers appreciate the tension and authentic atmosphere of occupied Kyiv, some find the narrative structure uneven and the dramatic emotional arc underdeveloped.
| Direction | The final soccer match is expertly staged, effectively building suspense and emotional resonance that captivates the viewer. | |
| Acting | The ensemble cast, featuring notable performances by Nevinnyy and Kuravlyov, brings a memorable and human quality to the Soviet players. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography successfully captures the bleak, oppressive atmosphere of 1942 occupation life. | |
| Screenplay | Critics are split on the narrative focus: some feel the film masterfully prioritizes the tension of the match, while others feel the plot is scattered and lacks sufficient dramatic depth outside the stadium. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing and structure are divided; some praise the match sequences, while others find the film's runtime stretched and the overall plot transitions abrupt. | |
| Ending | The film's conclusion is divisive, with some viewers finding it an evocative, hopeful ending, while others describe it as smeared or failing to fully resolve the dramatic tension. |