clock, whose ticking seems to calm his nerves. Samuli Edelmann - Private Mauri Haapaluoma, a replacement who is so unprepared that Aatos gives him his gloves. Vesa Mäkelä - Lieutenant Yrjö Haavisto, aide-de-camp to Col. Laurila. Aarno Sulkanen - Captain Kaarlo Sihvo. He comes to the dugout to chew Kantola out when Russians take an unattended bunker. Kari Kihlström - Lieutenant Jorma Potila. He stands with Colonel Laurila as Laurila inspires the troops. Esko Salminen - Lieutenant-Colonel Matti Laurila, commanding officer of the 23rd Regiment of the Finnish Army. Ari-Kyösti Seppo - Private Ahti Saari, Pentti Saari's younger brother. He is naive and inexperienced, so the act of killing Russians distresses him. Kari Sorvali - Sergeant-Major Hannu Jutila. As a logistics officer, his first act is to find a field kitchen that has gone missing. Esko Nikkari - Private Yrjö “Ylli” Alanen, an older, experienced soldier who is almost always whittling a piece of wood. His participation in Finland's Civil War of 1918 gives him an insouciance regarding combat. Ville Virtanen - 2nd Lieutenant Jaakko Rajala, an arrogant officer who bears a grudge against Martti for a minor act of insubordination. He becomes more humble as he witnesses the true nature of war. Pirkko Hämäläinen - Marjatta Hakala, Martti's wife. Leena Suomu - Liisa Hakala, Martti and Paavo's mother. She has asked Martti to watch over Paavo. Tarja Heinula - Anna Ylinen, Paavo's fiancée and Matti Ylinen's sister. Miitta Sorvali - Karelian hostess. Production notes Military hardware The film depicts a wide array of genuine wartime vehicles and artillery; and when these were not available, replicas were used: T-26; Light infantry tank (Soviet) Tupolev SB; Twin-engine fast bomber (Soviet) Polikarpov I-16; Single engine, single seat fighter used for strafing runs (Soviet) PstK/36; 37-mm anti-tank gun (Finnish) Animated special effects were used to simulate tracer projectiles. Music In addition to the main title and the incidental music, five pieces play an important role in the film: Vilppulan urhojen muistolle is the march sung by Finnish troops as the 23rd Regiment marches out of Seinäjoki. Oi Emma is a traditional Finnish waltz, in which the singer laments the behavior of a perfidious woman. It is the first tune that Pentti Saari plays on his mandolin. Ah Jeesus Kristus armahda is the hymn played in Kauhava cathedral at the funeral in the middle of the film. It's Virsi 587 in the official 1938