Black Sea Fighters

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The siege of Sevastopol, the city of 100,000 population which held off 15 Nazi divisions for 260 days and surrendered when only 11 buildings were left standing, is shown here with the concise and jagged clarity of Soviet cameras which followed the defenders on their forays against the enemies by land, air and sea. It is footage that commands interest throughout. A commentary written by Clifford Odets and confined principally to explanatory material is spoken by Fredric March. The camera shows the city at the start, during and at the close of the siege. It shows the subterranean hangars used by the defenders, the munitions plants operated in the caverns under the town, the strafings and bombings by the enemy, the counterattacks by the Soviets on foot and by armored train. A tank battle, in which flame throwers are used to wipe out Nazi machine gun nests, is a highlight. A commando raid carried out from the sea, with a submarine releasing commandos via its torpedo tubes to prepare the way for landing barges bringing fighters from a battle squadron, is material of utmost interest. The film is a compelling picturization of the event it deals with.