Walter Defends Sarajevo (1972)

Let's be realistic.

Beautiful, moving film.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

When I was growing up in Sarajevo during those times I never thought that this film in the later years will be called Communist propaganda. It really is that, just that, good action Yugoslav Communist propaganda. It is really popular in China. I am not sure why, but it is. Even today Chinese tourists come to Sarajevo to visit filming sets.As far as plot goes it is a typical WWII action film. Nothing that particular or special about it. Yugoslavia produced number of these during those years. Pity these countries left from Yugoslavia do not have the budgets or capabilities to produce even better film then those. But film industry has changed a lot over the years, and with break up of Yugoslavia, things changed dramatically.

Valter was one of, if not the, most admired movie heroes in China. When it was in the theater, I was a 8 years old boy, after the movie, this character is absolutely rooted in my heart. He is the hero for almost one generation of Chinese. Anyway, this movie was shown in 1980, though produced in 1972. I am truly happy to know Valter is still alive. God bless you, Velimir 'Bata' Zivojinovic .Wish you could visit China and our city one day. I am planning to organize a fan club here in Dalian city, we need some movie posters of this Valter movie. Please tell us where to buy it. Thanks.

This movie is a typical Partizan "western" with "black-and-white" characters. The movie is losely inspired by actual events from WW II but its content could not be called historically true.What is the most interesting thing about this movie is that it was immensely popular in the People Republic of China. I talked to quite a few Chinese people born in sixties, and literally everybody went with school to see the movie. I think that "Valter brani Sarajevo" could easily be the most popular foreign movie in China.During NATO action in Serbia, when USA hit the Chinese embassy, the actor who played Valter, Bata Zivoinovic, visited wounded Chinese people in hospital, and they cherished his appearance there...

the action is non-stop, the plots are perfect. i cannot found any ww2 movie better than this one. the first time i watched this movie in 1976 when i was 6 years old back in china. they keep showing it from 1976-1979. i have never been bored even though i watched it over and over again. i used to memerize all the senarios and scripts. i still want to watch again now i am 30 years old. can anybody help me to get a copy?