Dugout

World War II — a brutal, high-stakes survival story. While exploring abandoned battle sites, two modern-day friends are suddenly trapped in the past, inside the very conflict they once studied from a distance. Knowing they may never make it back alive, they are forced to confront a time trap where survival itself is at stake. As the war closes in around them, they must make a moral choice between saving themselves or risking everything for others, decisions that will define their lives forever.

No one does war films like the Russians, "Dugout" being no exception. This film is, in most respects that matter, predominantly a war film with a time travel tie-in. It's predictably raw and uncompromising, displaying war in all its horror, with characters driven by an often fatalistic mentality to save their country and families from the German invaders. Choreography deserves a comment; it's amazing with detailed shots of shells, bullets and the destruction they cause to objects and people. On the downside I do feel character development is a little bit lacking, at times. I think this is because they are pushing a nationalistic message about defending Russia, which is understandable, given the conflict with Ukraine and the West. In summary, this is another decent war film from Russia. Definitely worth a look.