It Was In May
Year: 1970
Runtime: 110 mins
Language: Russian
Director: Marlen Khutsiyev
Days after Germany’s unconditional surrender, a detachment of Soviet soldiers is assigned to a seemingly untouched farmyard. The quiet rural setting masks a chilling reality, and the Red Army troops soon uncover the full horror of Nazi terror hidden within, confronting the brutal legacy of the war.
It Was In May (1970) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview
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In the quiet months after Germany’s surrender, a small Soviet reconnaissance detachment is posted to an isolated farmstead that seems untouched by the recent horrors. The landscape is a patchwork of freshly plowed fields, soot‑stained barns, and the lingering echo of wartime newsreels, creating a stark contrast between the ordinary rhythms of rural life and the unsettled aftermath of conflict.
The unit is led by Lieutenant Nikolaev, a pragmatic officer whose steady composure masks a deeper unease as he navigates the fragile peace of occupation. Their host, Rashke, a prosperous pig farmer, offers a courteous veneer that hints at unspoken layers of the past, while his younger wife and teenage son move through the household with a quiet, almost rehearsed normalcy. The soldiers, weary from years of combat, find their camaraderie tested by the subtle strains that run beneath the farm’s surface.
The film’s tone is deliberately meditative, moving between the stark realism of a war‑torn countryside and moments of hushed reflection that suggest something darker lies just out of view. Cinematic flourishes—archival footage that opens the story and a gentle, bittersweet arrangement of Sonny Bono’s “Mama” that closes it—underscore a persistent sense of melancholy and the uneasy transition from violence to tentative calm.
Within this restrained setting, the characters each carry their own burdens of memory and guilt, and the audience is invited to sense the tension between a world that appears to be rebuilding and the lingering shadows of recent atrocities. The result is a haunting portrait of a post‑war frontier where ordinary life resumes, yet the specter of what has been endured remains ever‑present.
Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:11
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about the aftermath of war like It Was In May
Stories that explore the heavy silence and moral debris left in the wake of conflict.If you were moved by the contemplative and heavy atmosphere of It Was In May, this thread gathers similar films that explore the post-war period. These movies focus on the lingering trauma, moral reckoning, and quiet struggles of survival after the fighting has ended, offering a sobering look at the true cost of conflict.
The Thin Red Line
1999
The Yellow Birds
2018
Strayed
2004
The Great Water
2005
Postcard
2010
Closing the Ring
2007
The Return of the Soldier
1982
A Year of the Quiet Sun
1984
Voices in the Wind
2020
Men and Beasts
1962
Voice in the Wind
1944
Wounded Game
1977
Happy Land
1943
Regeneration
1997
The Load
2023
Narrative Summary
Narratives in this thread typically follow characters—soldiers, civilians, or communities—as they navigate a world shattered by war. The central conflict is often internal or social, revolving around processing trauma, uncovering hidden atrocities, and facing the moral ambiguity of survival. The plot is driven by discovery and reflection rather than external action.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped together because they share a specific setting and thematic focus. They prioritize a melancholic tone, slow pacing, and high emotional weight to convey the oppressive silence and unresolved pain that defines the post-war experience, creating a cohesive vibe of somber historical reflection.
Movies about uncovering dark truths like It Was In May
A slow, grim discovery of historical crimes that forces a moral confrontation.For viewers who appreciated the chilling discovery narrative in It Was In May, this collection features films with a similar pattern. These stories involve a slow, deliberate investigation that leads to the uncovering of horrific events, forcing characters and the audience to confront deeply disturbing truths about history and human nature.
Nostalgia for the Light
2011
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
2012
Louder Than Bombs
2016
The Great Water
2005
Vermiglio
2024
Wetherby
1985
The Return of the Soldier
1982
Men and Beasts
1962
All My Good Countrymen
1969
Under The Domim Tree
1994
Wounded Game
1977
Happy Land
1943
Character
1997
The Burmese Harp
1956
The Load
2023
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern follows a journey of investigation or accidental discovery. Characters, often outsiders or newcomers, piece together clues in a subdued environment, leading to a climax that reveals the full scale of a hidden horror. The emotional journey is one of increasing unease shifting to profound shock and sorrow.
Why These Movies?
These movies are linked by a specific plot mechanism and emotional arc. They share a slow-burn structure that builds tension through atmosphere rather than action, leading to a devastating reveal. The combination of high tension, high sadness, and a melancholic, bittersweet tone creates a powerfully coherent and unsettling viewing experience.
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It Was In May Summary
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