Days of Glory

Days of Glory

Year: 1945

Runtime: 71 mins

Language: Italian

Directors: Marcello Pagliero, Mario Serandrei

DocumentaryWar

An Italian WWII documentary by a group of neorealists.

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Timeline & Setting – Days of Glory (1945)

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

Time period

Early 1940s

The narrative unfolds during World War II as Nazi forces occupy parts of the Soviet Union. Partisans conduct guerrilla operations, sabotaging munitions trains and disrupting supply lines. The era is defined by scarcity, risk, and the moral ambiguity of warfare.

Location

Snowy Russian countryside, Soviet Union

A remote, snow-clad partisan enclave hidden deep in the Soviet hinterlands. The harsh winter and rugged terrain shape stealthy sabotage missions and constant movement. The setting emphasizes the clandestine nature of resistance behind German lines.

❄️ Winter 🪖 Frontline 🌨️ Snowy landscape

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

Main Characters – Days of Glory (1945)

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

Vladimir (Gregory Peck)

A seasoned partisan commander who leads with calculated ruthlessness. He justifies brutal choices by the necessity to deny the enemy control over critical resources, and his taciturn demeanor masks a difficult past as an engineer who had to destroy a plant he helped build. His evolving relationship with Nina reveals a more vulnerable side beneath the stern exterior.

🪖 Commander ⚙️ Strategic 💔 Complex relationships

Nina (Tamara Toumanova)

A ballerina thrust into combat who learns quickly but remains morally conflicted about killing. Her daring acts prove her adaptability, yet her presence unsettles the group’s routines and shifts the dynamics between Vladimir and the others. She embodies resilience and the moral ambiguity of war.

💃 Dancer 💪 Courage ❤️ Love

Yelena (Maria Palmer)

The veteran woman fighter who serves as the group's courier. Her blood-stained saddle signals danger and becomes the catalyst for Nina to assume the mission. She embodies experience and the heavy price paid by those who remain on the frontlines.

🗺️ Messenger 🧭 Veteran 🩸 Sacrifice

Mitya (Glen Vernon)

A teenage recruit who accompanies Nina on dangerous assignments. His youth makes him a symbol of vulnerability within the group, yet his willingness to serve underscores the breadth of commitment in the resistance.

🧒 Youth 🗣️ Helper

Olga (Dena Penn)

Mitya’s younger sister whom Nina helps to safety. Olga represents innocence endangered by war, highlighting the human cost of conflict and the protective instincts that fuel resilience.

👧 Youth 🛡️ Protected

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

Major Themes – Days of Glory (1945)

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

🪖 Loyalty

Loyalty binds the group as they rely on one another in life-threatening missions. Vladimir’s ruthlessness and strategic decisions test the cohesion of the crew, especially when personal relationships blur with duty. The squad’s survival hinges on trust, discipline, and shared sacrifice.

💘 Romance

Nina’s arrival introduces a fragile romance that threatens to destabilize the unit’s focus. Her learning curve and stubborn resolve reveal how affection can both empower and complicate a resistance effort. Vladimir’s guarded attitude toward love highlights the tension between humanity and necessity in war.

🎯 Courage

Courage is tested as the group fights a deadly battle against a numerically superior foe. Each member steps forward to carry messages, deliver critical information, or lay down their lives. The climactic oath and the ambush with a German tank underscore the cost of resistance and the resolve to endure.

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 at 12:32

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Grim Frontline Documentaries like Days of Glory

Raw, unflinching documentaries that capture the desperate reality of combat.Explore movies like Days of Glory that deliver a raw, documentary-style look at warfare. These similar films are often tense, grounded, and focus on the grim reality of survival and sacrifice during historical conflicts, offering an unfiltered view of the frontline experience.

grimtensesomberdocumentarywartimedesperaterealistic

Narrative Summary

These films typically follow a straightforward, often episodic structure, moving from one dangerous situation or mission to the next. The narrative thrust is survival and duty, with character arcs often defined by their resilience or tragic end. There is little room for conventional plot twists, as the primary conflict is the unrelenting pressure of the war itself.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to a documentary-like realism, a consistently tense and grim tone, and a focus on the visceral experience of war. They share a high emotional intensity and a sobering perspective that avoids glorification, making their viewing experiences feel cohesive and heavy.

Tragic Resistance Fighter Stories like Days of Glory

Stories of desperate guerrilla fighters whose sacrifices end in tragedy.If you liked the story of partisan fighters in Days of Glory, discover other movies about tragic resistance movements. These similar war dramas feature tense guerrilla warfare, heavy emotional sacrifice, and ultimately bleak or sad endings for their determined heroes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a group or individual engaging in sabotage, espionage, and survival against a powerful occupying force. The journey is marked by escalating stakes, loss of comrades, and the psychological toll of constant danger. The arc is almost invariably tragic, culminating in a final, desperate stand or betrayal that underscores the futility and immense cost of their struggle.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their specific focus on the partisan experience: guerrilla tactics, life in hiding, and the heavy weight of duty. They share a high-tension, steady pace, a somber tone, and a narrative commitment to ending on a note of tragic sacrifice, creating a powerfully cohesive viewing pattern.

Unlock the Full Story of Days of Glory

Don't stop at just watching — explore Days of Glory in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Days of Glory is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Days of Glory Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Days of Glory, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Days of Glory Summary

Days of Glory Timeline

Track the full timeline of Days of Glory with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Days of Glory Timeline

Days of Glory Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Days of Glory that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Days of Glory Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Days of Glory

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Days of Glory: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Days of Glory

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