Counter-Attack

Counter-Attack

Year: 1945

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Zoltan Korda

WarDrama

YOU WILL NEVER LIVE A MORE SINISTER DRAMA…NOR A MORE EXCITING ONE! Two Russians fight to escape the seven Nazi soldiers trapped with them in a bombed building.

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Timeline & Setting – Counter-Attack (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Counter-Attack (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1942

The events occur in 1942, a pivotal year on the Eastern Front when both sides sought decisive advantages. The scene captures the intensity of mid-war warfare, with rapid artillery action and clandestine operations taking place under the cover of darkness. The time period frames themes of courage, deception, and strategic urgency amid a brutal winter-front backdrop.

Location

Eastern Front, Behind Enemy Lines, German Divisional HQ Basement, Underwater Bridge Site

The action unfolds on the war-torn Eastern Front during a clandestine operation behind enemy lines. A Soviet paratrooper unit targets a German divisional headquarters, taking shelter in a spacious basement as the siege closes in. The setting includes an underwater bridge project and a tense, enclosed space where prisoners are held and interrogated. The environment emphasizes isolation, constant danger, and the strategic urgency of gathering critical intelligence.

❄️ War-torn Eastern Front 🗺️ Behind Enemy Lines 🔎 Espionage & Interrogation 🏛️ German HQ Basement

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

Main Characters – Counter-Attack (1945)

Meet the key characters of Counter-Attack (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alexei Kulkov (Paul Muni)

A disciplined Soviet paratrooper lieutenant who leads the interrogation of German prisoners. He is cool, methodical, and intent on extracting critical intelligence about the German attack. Kulkov uses strategic misdirection and calm reasoning to pierce the guards’ loyalty and uncover the truth beneath the surface.

🧠 Strategist 🎖️ Soviet Officer 🗡️ Determined

Kostyuk (Roman Bohnen)

Leader of the local partisans who guides the Soviet team behind enemy lines. He is shrewd and resourceful, using his intimate knowledge of the terrain to aid the mission. Kostyuk serves as a bridge between the partisans and the Soviet forces, keeping plans coordinated under pressure.

🗺️ Local Guide 🗡️ Resourceful 🤝 Loyal Ally

Lisa Elenko (Marguerite Chapman)

A local guide who brings messages to the Soviet unit and helps navigate the chaotic environment. She demonstrates practical courage and a practical understanding of the situation, becoming a key liaison in the tense underground setting.

🧭 Messenger 🛡️ Courageous 🧩 Connector

Colonel Semenov (George Macready)

Senior Soviet commander who oversees the operation and coordinates the effort from his post. Semenov is focused, strategic, and determined to turn the gathered intelligence into a decisive action. His leadership drives the plan to extract crucial information from the enemy.

🎖️ Commander 🧠 Strategic 🛡️ Resolute

Major Erich von Sturmer (Harro Meller)

German officer among the prisoners who engages in a tense psychological duel with Kulkov. He attempts to project confidence and manipulate the interrogation, but is eventually compelled to reveal the truth under pressure. His dialogue underscores the war’s strategic stakes.

🎯 Prisoner 🧠 Cunning 🗡️ Dangerous

Sgt. Johann Grillparzer (Ivan Triesault)

A German sergeant captured in the basement who becomes part of the prisoner cohort. He participates in the deception games and contributes to the tension as the Soviets seek to identify the officer among them.

🎖️ German Soldier 🧩 Ciphered Roles 🗡️ Tense

Stillman (Rudolph Anders)

An ex-miner among the prisoners whose anger and pride complicate the interrogation. He becomes a focal point in the false-identity ruse and helps drive the escalating sense of danger in the underground room.

🪨 Prisoner 😠 Frustrated 🧭 Hidden Truth

Magician (Philip Van Zandt)

A former magician among the German prisoners who contributes to the atmosphere of deception. His presence adds an element of theatrical cunning to the endurance and mind games surrounding the interrogation.

🎩 Entertainer 🧠 Clever 🗝️ Deceptive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

Major Themes – Counter-Attack (1945)

Explore the central themes of Counter-Attack (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Deception

The narrative centers on mind games and misdirection as Kulkov interrogates captured German soldiers. He uses calculated feints and subterfuge to test each prisoner, forcing identities and loyalties to surface. The cat-and-mouse dynamic highlights how truth can be manipulated under pressure. Deception becomes a crucial tool to uncover critical intelligence about the German attack.

🛡️ Duty & Courage

Characters confront fear, fatigue, and the risk of discovery while pursuing a vital objective. Kulkov endures physical strain and emotional tension to protect his mission and comrades. The soldiers' commitment to duty drives their actions more than personal safety. The story explores how perseverance under hardship can determine the outcome of a strategic operation.

🧭 Intelligence & Strategy

The plot emphasizes the value of intelligence gathering and strategic thinking in war. Kulkov’s interrogation reveals the importance of actionable information—the location and timing of the German attack. The narrative shows how careful planning, timing, and information control can alter the balance of power on the battlefield. The bridge's secret becomes the film's pivotal revelation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

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Counter-Attack Summary

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Counter-Attack Summary

Counter-Attack Timeline

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Counter-Attack Timeline

More About Counter-Attack

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