March on the River Drina

The film unfolds during the July 26, 1914 general mobilization in Serbia and the early World War I period. It tracks the army’s redeployment to meet Austro-Hungarian forces along the Drina front in western Serbia. The August engagements culminate in a counteroffensive that pushes the enemy back across the Drina into Bosnia.

Belgrade marks the mobilization start and the broader war theater. The action moves through western Serbia with the battery passing Aranđelovac and Lazarevac, approaching Cer Mountain. The Drina River region provides the frontline backdrop for the climactic battles and the retreat, followed by a counterattack.

🪖 Duty & Courage

The soldiers confront the outbreak of war with a mix of personal aspiration and obligation. Miloje represents the pull between a comfortable commission and frontline service, highlighting the tension between family expectations and national duty. The battery’s shared resolve under fire tests loyalty and resilience.

🧭 Strategy & Leadership

Major Kursula debates the main attack route, arguing for a Drina-front engagement over a crossing at the Sava. The supreme command’s decisions and the subsequent counterattack reveal how leadership shapes a military response under pressure. The narrative emphasizes tactical choices in uncertain moments.

🛡️ Sacrifice & Resilience

A sergeant disassembles a gun to prevent its capture, symbolizing sacrifice for the greater good. The unit endures sudden assaults and difficult withdrawals as casualties mount. The final counteroffensive underscores perseverance against overwhelming odds.