The Cranes Are Flying

On June 22, 1941, Moscow is invaded by German forces, marking the start of World War II in the city. Veronika and Boris observe cranes flying over the city at dawn, symbolizing a moment of peace before chaos erupts. Boris's cousin Mark delivers the news that the Germans have invaded, setting the story in motion.

Boris decides to volunteer for the war after learning about the invasion. He asks his grandmother to pass a love note hidden in his gift for Veronika, a stuffed squirrel, symbolizing his love and hope. Veronika misses seeing Boris at his apartment but receives the stuffed squirrel as a token from his grandmother.

Boris is unable to find Veronika before departing and joins the army. Veronika searches for him at the assembly station, only to learn he has already marched to the front. Their separation signifies the beginning of a long and painful wartime ordeal.

Veronika's parents are killed during a German air raid that destroys their apartment building. The family offers her shelter, but she mourns Boris's absence and remains faithful, awaiting his return. The air raid marks a devastating turning point for her and all Muscovites.

Mark confesses his love for Veronika, but she rejects him. During another air raid, Mark makes a pass at her, and when she resists, he rapes her. This act of betrayal and violence damages their relationship and alters Veronika's perception of trust.

Boris fights in a reconnaissance mission and saves a fellow soldier, Volodya, but gets shot in the process. In his final moments, Boris envisions a wedding with Veronika, symbolizing his unfulfilled hopes and love. His death signifies a personal loss amid the vast chaos of war.

To escape the German offensive, Boris's family moves to Siberia. Veronika works as a nurse in a military hospital run by Boris's father, Fyodor. Her life is marked by hardship, loss, and the ongoing trauma of war and displacement.

Overcome with guilt and grief, Veronika attempts to throw herself in front of a train. She rescues a young boy named Boris, who is separated from his mother, reconnecting her with the memories of her lost love. She later searches for her forgotten squirrel toy in hopes of finding comfort.

Veronika discovers that Mark, who married her, has been bribed to avoid military service and has misused her trust. Her family finally realizes Mark's betrayal, leading to his expulsion from the household. Veronika's forgiveness signifies her resilience and the complex bonds formed during wartime.

Volodya returns to tell Veronika and Boris's family that Boris has been killed in action. This confirmation shatters her hopes of reunion and deepens her grief. Her mourning reflects the collective pain of a nation at war’s end.

As World War II ends, Veronika and Volodya walk by the river, symbolizing the hope and loss intertwined in their lives. Veronika remains unconvinced that Boris is dead, emphasizing her persistent hope amidst grief. She continues to honor the memories of those lost in the war.

Boris's unit returns home, and Veronika, filled with a mix of grief and longing, searches for Boris during a victory celebration at the train station. She learns of his death, and overwhelmed by sorrow, she stumbles through the crowd, mourning what could have been.

During a speech honoring those who died in the war, Veronika begins distributing her flowers among returning soldiers and their families, symbolizing her attempt to heal and remember the fallen. The cranes flying in the sky over Moscow symbolize hope and peace after the devastation.