The Peaks of Zelengore (1976)
A gripping Yugoslav war epic depicting a desperate partisan stand during the historic Battle of Sutjeska in World War II.
The Peaks of Zelengore - Movie Information
- Original Title: Vrhovi Zelengore
- Release Year: 1976
- Directed by: Zdravko Velimirović
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History
- Runtime: 1h 46m
- Original Language: SH
- Spoken Languages: Serbo-Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1976 (ME), January 1, 1976 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Invasion Apocalypse - Entscheidungsschlacht im 2. Weltkrieg (DE)
- Production Companies: Centar film, Filmski Studio Titograd, Filmska Radna Zajednica (FRZ)
- Production Countries: Yugoslavia
The Peaks of Zelengore - Plot
During the Battle of Sutjeska, partisan troops must endure 24 hours of big and heavy attacks on German units Ljubino grave, to the main Partisan units, with the wounded and the Supreme Headquarters, pulled out the ring that is tightened around them.
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The Peaks of Zelengore - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Zdravko Velimirović
Main Cast
- Velimir Živojinović
- Sergey Bondarchuk
- Alain Noury
- Josephine Chaplin
- Veljko Mandić
- Radoš Bajić
- Ljiljana Dragutinović
- Slobodan Dimitrijević
- Danilo Lazović
- Faruk Begolli
The Peaks of Zelengore - FAQs
What is The Peaks of Zelengore about?
The Peaks of Zelengore centers on a desperate 24-hour stand during the Battle of Sutjeska in World War II. A band of Yugoslav partisans holds off relentless German assaults at Ljubino grave, buying precious time for the main Partisan forces and the wounded to escape the tightening enemy encirclement.
Is The Peaks of Zelengore based on a true story?
Yes, the film draws directly from real history. The Battle of Sutjeska took place in May–June 1943 and was one of the most brutal engagements of the Yugoslav Partisan resistance. The German-led Operation Schwartz nearly destroyed the Partisan movement, making the events depicted both historically significant and deeply personal for Yugoslav audiences.
Who are the main actors in The Peaks of Zelengore?
The cast is a remarkable international mix. Velimir Živojinović leads as Boro, joined by Soviet cinema legend Sergey Bondarchuk as the Professor, French actor Alain Noury as Milan, and Josephine Chaplin as Milena. Yugoslav stalwarts Danilo Lazović, Faruk Begolli, and Ljiljana Dragutinović round out the ensemble.
Why does the film feature an international cast?
Yugoslav war epics of the 1970s frequently recruited international talent to broaden their appeal and secure co-production financing. Casting Sergey Bondarchuk — director of the acclaimed War and Peace — and Josephine Chaplin, daughter of Charlie Chaplin, gave The Peaks of Zelengore significant prestige and visibility beyond Yugoslavia's borders.
Who directed The Peaks of Zelengore?
Zdravko Velimirović directed the film. He was an experienced Yugoslav filmmaker who worked extensively within the country's state-supported studio system, contributing to the rich tradition of Partisan war films that dominated Yugoslav cinema throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
What genre is The Peaks of Zelengore?
It blends war drama and historical epic. The film sits firmly within the Yugoslav Partisan film tradition — a genre that combined action-driven battle sequences with ideological themes of resistance, sacrifice, and collective heroism, all grounded in the documented history of World War II in the Balkans.
What similar films would fans of this movie enjoy?
If The Peaks of Zelengore resonates with you, explore Katyn (2007), Defiance (2008), and Max Manus: Man of War (2008) for similarly gripping WWII resistance stories. Force 10 from Navarone (1978) and Battle of the Bulge (1965) offer classic large-scale wartime action from the same era.
How long is The Peaks of Zelengore?
The film runs 1 hour and 46 minutes — a focused runtime that keeps the tension of its single 24-hour battlefield scenario taut from start to finish, without overstaying its welcome.
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