A “masterpiece” war film is hailed by one fan as the most “true to life” war film they’ve ever seen. Come and See (1985) is a Soviet epic historical anti-war drama movie set during the German occupation of Byelorussia (what is now Belarus) in World War 2.

The story is told from the perspective of Flyora (played by Aleksei Kravchenko) a Belarusian teenager who joins a partisan unit fighting the Nazi invaders, witnessing unspeakable attrocities carried out by Germany’s forces. It was directed by Soviet filmmaker Elem Klimov who co-wrote the film with Ales Adamovich, who was a partisan unit member. It’s based on the latter’s 1971 novel Khatyn, as well as I Am from the Fiery Village, a collection of survivor testimonies which he contributed to.

The film offers a harrowing depiction of the conflict, and incorporates real historical footage, heightening the horror. Its release repeatedly frustrated by Soviet authorities due to its defiant anti-war message.

Fans have flocked to IMDb to shower the film with praise, with one calling it: “The best true-to-life war movie I have ever seen, and possibly the best movie I have ever seen.

“My eyes were opened when I saw this for the first time a few days ago. It made me realise what I miss 99% of the time when watching movies. So few affect me like this one did.”

Another added: “This is a towering masterpiece of war films looming over all other war films, as it is a true story and almost more documentary than any realism could be for its unfathomable psychology in depicting a child’s experience and reactions to all this.”

A third, who gave the film a 10/10 said: “Every other war movie feels like a staged soap opera now, which is part of why I sometimes regret watching this movie. IF you want to know what total war feels like, this is for you.”

Fans and movie buffs warn Come and See is a tough watch. Renowed film critic Roger Ebert said of the movie: “It’s said that you can’t make an effective anti-war film because war by its nature is exciting, and the end of the film belongs to the survivors,” but no one “would ever make the mistake of saying that about Elem Klimov’s ‘Come and See’.”

He called it “one of the most devastating films ever about anything, and in it, the survivors must envy the dead”.

The film has a 15 certificate and contains strong violence and Holocaust footage, so viewer discretion is advised.

Come and See is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.