# The 9th Company

> 2005 film directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk

**Wikidata**: [Q1130512](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1130512)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Company)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-9th-company

## Summary
The 9th Company is a 2005 Russian war film directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk, depicting the experiences of Soviet soldiers during the Soviet-Afghan War. It was produced by Art Pictures Studio and released on September 29, 2005, becoming one of the highest-grossing Russian films of its time.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** September 29, 2005
- **Director:** Fyodor Bondarchuk
- **Production Companies:** Art Pictures Studio, STS, 1+1, and others
- **Budget:** $9.5 million
- **Box Office:** $25.6 million
- **Runtime:** 130 minutes
- **Country of Origin:** Russia, Ukraine, Finland
- **IMDb ID:** tt0417397
- **IMDb Rating:** 5.9/10
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score:** 69%
- **Awards:** Nika Award for Best Film (2006)
- **IMDb Entry Number:** 34467
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks:** 39 language editions
- **Official Website:** http://www.9thcompanymovie-us.com/

## FAQs

**What is the plot and historical context of The 9th Company?**
The 9th Company is a war drama that follows a group of young Soviet soldiers during their training and deployment to Afghanistan in the final years of the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989). The film portrays their experiences in combat, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of war, culminating in the Battle of Hill 3234.

**Who directed The 9th Company and what is their background?**
The film was directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk, a prominent Russian filmmaker, actor, and producer. He is the son of Sergei Bondarchuk, a renowned Soviet director, and has directed other notable films such as "Stalingrad" (2013) and "Attraction" (2017).

**What production companies were involved in making The 9th Company?**
The film was produced by Art Pictures Studio (Russia), STS (a Russian entertainment TV channel), 1+1 (a Ukrainian TV channel), and several other companies including Finland's involvement. Art Pictures Studio is a major Russian film production company founded in 1992.

**How was The 9th Company received commercially and critically?**
The film was a commercial success, grossing $25.6 million worldwide against a $9.5 million budget, making it one of the highest-grossing Russian films of its time. It received critical acclaim, winning the Nika Award for Best Film in 2006, and holds a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

**What is the significance of The 9th Company in Russian cinema?**
The 9th Company is considered a landmark film in modern Russian cinema, offering a raw and realistic portrayal of the Soviet-Afghan War. It resonated deeply with Russian audiences, sparking renewed interest in the war's history and contributing to a broader cultural reckoning with the Soviet past.

## Why It Matters
The 9th Company holds significant cultural and historical importance as one of the most influential Russian films of the 21st century. It provided a visceral, unflinching look at the Soviet-Afghan War, a conflict that had been largely taboo in Russian media for years. The film's success marked a turning point in Russian cinema, demonstrating the commercial viability of high-quality, large-scale productions and inspiring a new wave of war films. Its impact extended beyond entertainment, contributing to public discourse about the war, its veterans, and the Soviet legacy. The film's international recognition also helped elevate Russian cinema on the global stage, showcasing its capacity for sophisticated storytelling and technical prowess.

## Notable For
- **Commercial Success:** One of the highest-grossing Russian films of its time, earning $25.6 million worldwide.
- **Critical Acclaim:** Won the Nika Award for Best Film in 2006, Russia's top film honor.
- **Cultural Impact:** Sparked renewed public interest in the Soviet-Afghan War and contributed to a broader cultural reckoning with the Soviet past.
- **Technical Achievement:** Known for its realistic battle scenes, large-scale production, and high production values.
- **International Recognition:** Helped elevate Russian cinema on the global stage and demonstrated its capacity for sophisticated storytelling.
- **Historical Significance:** Provided a raw and unflinching portrayal of the Soviet-Afghan War, a conflict that had been largely taboo in Russian media for years.

## Body

### Production and Release
The 9th Company was produced by a consortium of companies, with Art Pictures Studio serving as the primary production company. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Moscow, Art Pictures Studio is a major player in the Russian film industry. The film was also supported by STS, a prominent Russian entertainment TV channel launched in 1996, and 1+1, a national Ukrainian-language TV channel established in 1995. The film's budget was $9.5 million, a substantial sum for Russian cinema at the time, and it was released on September 29, 2005.

### Plot and Historical Context
The film is set during the final years of the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989) and follows a group of young Soviet soldiers from their training to their deployment in Afghanistan. The narrative culminates in the Battle of Hill 3234, a real-life engagement that took place in January 1988. The film portrays the soldiers' experiences with combat, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of war, offering a raw and unflinching look at the conflict. It resonated deeply with Russian audiences, many of whom had personal connections to the war or its veterans.

### Director and Creative Team
Fyodor Bondarchuk, the son of renowned Soviet director Sergei Bondarchuk, directed The 9th Company. Bondarchuk is a prominent figure in Russian cinema, known for his work as a director, actor, and producer. He has directed other notable films such as "Stalingrad" (2013) and "Attraction" (2017). The film's screenplay was written by Igor Valynkin and Kim Belov, based on real events and stories from veterans of the Soviet-Afghan War.

### Reception and Impact
The 9th Company was both a commercial and critical success. It grossed $25.6 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Russian films of its time. The film received critical acclaim, winning the Nika Award for Best Film in 2006, Russia's top film honor. It holds a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally positive reviews. The film's success marked a turning point in Russian cinema, demonstrating the commercial viability of high-quality, large-scale productions and inspiring a new wave of war films.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
The 9th Company is considered a landmark film in modern Russian cinema. It provided a visceral, unflinching look at the Soviet-Afghan War, a conflict that had been largely taboo in Russian media for years. The film's impact extended beyond entertainment, contributing to public discourse about the war, its veterans, and the Soviet legacy. It resonated deeply with Russian audiences, many of whom had personal connections to the war or its veterans. The film's international recognition also helped elevate Russian cinema on the global stage, showcasing its capacity for sophisticated storytelling and technical prowess.

### Technical and Artistic Achievements
The film is known for its realistic battle scenes, large-scale production, and high production values. It was shot on location in Crimea, Ukraine, and featured extensive use of practical effects and stunts. The film's cinematography, by Maksim Osadchy, and its score, by Vyacheslav Gaivoronsky, were widely praised for their contribution to the film's immersive and emotional impact. The film's editing, by Maria Mironova, was also noted for its pacing and intensity.

### International Reach and Legacy
The 9th Company has been released in numerous countries and has been screened at various international film festivals. It has been dubbed or subtitled in multiple languages, including English, and has a dedicated Wikipedia page in 39 language editions. The film's success helped pave the way for other Russian films to gain international recognition and contributed to a broader appreciation of Russian cinema worldwide. It remains a significant work in the canon of war films and continues to be studied and discussed for its artistic and historical merits.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film408375.html)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417397/)
3. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-175994/)
4. europeanfilmawards.eu
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417397/fullcredits)
6. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/9-kompania)
7. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2006.122.0.html)
8. 9th Company. Rotten Tomatoes
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Online-Filmdatenbank
11. The Movie Database
12. [9Th Company | Unconsenting Media](https://www.unconsentingmedia.org/items/3577)
13. Trakt.tv
14. FilmVandaag.nl