Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action drama

Afghan Breakdown (1991): Cast & Plot

Afghan Breakdown (1991) movie poster

Afghan Breakdown is a 1991 action drama directed by Vladimir Bortko, starring Michele Placido as Major Bandura, Mikhail Zhigalov and Filipp Yankovsky. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes.

Loading streaming availability…
Afghan Breakdown (1991) movie poster
Release year
Runtime
2h 20m (140 min)
Director
Vladimir Bortko
Genres
Drama , Action , War
Original language
Russian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Afghan Breakdown About?

The premise of Afghan Breakdown without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the main withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, a seasoned company of paratroopers under Major Bandura’s command is reinforced by Steklov, the son of a senior officer, as they navigate the perilous and chaotic final days, confronting ambushes, uncertainty, and the looming collapse of the theater.

Afghan Breakdown Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • soviet military
  • soviet army
  • afghan war
  • murder
  • cold war
  • mujahideen
  • jihad
  • guerilla warfare
  • socialism
  • adultery
  • mistress
  • soviet afghanistan war
+38 more
  • grenade launcher
  • ak 74
  • mi 24 hind helicopter
  • revolver
  • gas tanker
  • burned alive
  • little person
  • ambush
  • draftee
  • russian in afghanistan
  • dead dog
  • claymore
  • grenade
  • trap
  • burqa
  • mountains
  • italian
  • hazing
  • tattoo
  • love triangle
  • kia
  • amputee
  • nurse
  • muslim
  • father son
  • boy with a gun
  • tank
  • embalming
  • kettle bell
  • trailer
  • horse
  • chicken
  • fan
  • female frontal nudity
  • female nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • son
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Afghan Breakdown Cast & Characters

Michele Placido leads the cast as Major Bandura, with Mikhail Zhigalov as Lieutenant colonel and Filipp Yankovsky as Nikita Steklov. Directed by Vladimir Bortko; 31 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Vladimir Bortko

More films directed by Vladimir Bortko: About Love, Iron & Blood: The Legend of Taras Bulba, Gangster’s Petersburg: Lawyer and Gangster’s Petersburg: Baron.

Full filmography
Plot

Afghan Breakdown Plot Summary

What happens in Afghan Breakdown from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Set on the eve of the 1988 Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the film travels through a tense, intimate world where soldiers drift between duty, danger, and the changing tides of Perestroika. At the center is Lieutenant Nikita Steklov, the son of a high-ranking general, who is posted to Afghanistan with a burning wish to see real combat and earn medals before the war ends. His presence shades the base with a mix of ambition and impulsiveness, a contrast to the seasoned soldiers around him.

Full summary

The whole story of Afghan Breakdown, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Afghan Breakdown Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Afghan Breakdown.

Afghan Breakdown, Trailer del film di Vladimir Bortko con Michele Placido - 1991
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Afghan Breakdown?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the lieutenant eager to earn medals before the war ends?

Details

Afghan Breakdown Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Afganskiy Izlom” and “Afghan Breakdown - Hölle ohne Ausweg”.

Also known as
  • Afganskiy Izlom
  • Afghan Breakdown - Hölle ohne Ausweg
  • Afgánský zlom
  • 霹雳红星

Seen Afghan Breakdown?

FAQ

Afghan Breakdown FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Afghan Breakdown, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Afghan Breakdown?

Afghan Breakdown runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).

When was Afghan Breakdown released?

Afghan Breakdown was released in 1991.

Who directed Afghan Breakdown?

Afghan Breakdown was directed by Vladimir Bortko.

More films by Vladimir Bortko

Who is in the cast of Afghan Breakdown?

Afghan Breakdown stars Michele Placido as Major Bandura, Mikhail Zhigalov as Lieutenant colonel and Filipp Yankovsky as Nikita Steklov, among 31 credited actors.

Does Afghan Breakdown have a post-credit scene?

No. Afghan Breakdown has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Afghan Breakdown in?

The original language of Afghan Breakdown is Russian.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app