What Is Attack and Retreat About?
The premise of Attack and Retreat in 300 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
Set against the sprawling, unforgiving landscapes of the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941, Colonel Sermonti leads an Italian regiment into a campaign that promises purpose but delivers a harsh reality. As part of the CSIR tasked with supporting German forces on the Eastern Front, the troops embark on a mission marked by vast distances, inclement weather, and the palpable tension of an uneasy alliance. The film establishes a world where the mistreatment by German counterparts and the wary stance of the local population create a suffocating atmosphere, quickly eroding the initial optimism that drove these men from their homes.
Within this grueling military framework, the narrative focuses on a small circle of soldiers whose diverse backgrounds paint a vivid portrait of a nation at war. There is Collodi, a Tuscan typesetter whose quiet sense of duty contrasts with the chaos surrounding him, and Loris, a naive farmer whose romanticism has not yet been shattered by the front. Alongside them stands Major Ferri, a complex officer whose loyalties simmer beneath the surface, adding a layer of internal tension to the group dynamic. Their stories intersect with the presence of Sonya, a Russian woman whose lingering role serves as a reminder of the humanity that persists amidst the scorched-earth tactics.
“Attack and Retreat” captures the essence of a campaign damned by fate, focusing on the psychological toll of an offensive that struggles to maintain its momentum. As the Italian forces navigate the grind of the Eastern Front, the story explores how resilience and duty are tested not just by the enemy, but by the environment and the fractured morale of the men. It is a chronicle of the unheralded, tracing the fine line between courage and survival in a conflict where the landscape itself seems to conspire against the invaders.
What Happens in Attack and Retreat?
The complete story of Attack and Retreat, from the first scene to the last, in 363 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Set against the vast, unforgiving landscapes of the Soviet Union in July 1941, Colonel Sermonti, Andrea Checchi, leads an Italian CSIR regiment tasked with supporting German forces on the Eastern Front. What starts as a mission filled with purpose soon unravels into a harsh reality: endless miles through harsh weather, wary locals, and the blunt mistreatment by German troops. Front-line skirmishes, scorched-earth tactics, and strained alliances muddy the initial optimism as the offensive near Moscow stalls and morale begins to fracture.
A year later, the CSIR is folded into the 8th Italian Army and pushed to back German operations during a renewed summer drive. The Soviets mount a counteroffensive, forcing the Italians to defend along the Don River and ultimately retreat under mounting pressure. Through this crucible, a small circle of soldiers is forged and tested, their loyalty pulled toward courage, stubborn resilience, and the toll of war.
The core of the tale revolves around a handful of fates intertwined with the siege itself: Loris, a naive Romagnol farmer who dies after following a Russian girl into a sunflower field; Gino Pernice as Collodi, a Tuscan typesetter whose quiet integrity and stubborn sense of duty collide with the chaos around him; Calò, a Sicilian whose stubborn resilience meets the brutal realities of captivity alongside the colonel; Arthur Kennedy as Major Ferri, a hidden fascist whose true loyalties surface in the heat of retreat; and Giuseppe Sanna, Riccardo Cucciolla, whose death sends Libero, a Roman plumber, reeling as he leaves the group to try to navigate a perilous return home, only to be broken by a vicious storm.
In the foreground of personal loss and moral tension, the narrative hints at intimate encounters that shape choices under fire: a Russian girl, Sonya, Tatyana Samoylova, whose presence lingers in the sunflower field where Loris falls, and the shadow of other relationships and encounters that test the soldiers’ humanity amid war’s inexorable grind. The film keeps faith with its ensemble, tracing how each man’s arc—whether through sacrifice, retreat, or the perilous push toward home—reflects the broader arc of a campaign that never quite achieves its promised victory, yet leaves a lasting imprint on those who survive.
Attack and Retreat Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Italian CSIR regiment lands in the Soviet Union” to “The film charts a mosaic of personal tragedies amid a brutal campaign”. 13 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Italian CSIR regiment lands in the Soviet Union
During July 1941, Colonel Sermonti leads an Italian regiment as part of the CSIR to support German forces on the Eastern Front. The soldiers arrive with cautious optimism about a quick victory, but the reality of war soon bites. The initial deployment marks the beginning of a grueling campaign that will test their resolve.
When:July 1941 Where:Soviet Union, Eastern Front
- 2
Early optimism clashes with harsh front-line realities
The early optimism clashes with the vast landscapes, punishing weather, and relentless hardship. Supply shortages, unfamiliar terrain, and constant danger erode morale as the front advances unevenly. The Italians learn that victory will not come easily.
When:1941-1942 Where:Soviet Union, Eastern Front
- 3
Mistreatment by German forces strains the alliance
Italian troops encounter disrespect and unequal treatment from some German units, creating simmering resentment on the ground. Morale sinks as collaboration becomes a burden rather than a partnership. The uneasy alliance begins to fray under pressure.
When:1941-1942 Where:Eastern Front
- 4
Scorched-earth battles and weather hammer morale
Brutal battles and scorched-earth tactics devastate the land and challenge logistics. Soldiers endure brutal combat, freezing conditions, and dwindling supplies that test their endurance. The combination of violence and deprivation fractures nerves and loyalties alike.
When:1941-1942 Where:Eastern Front
- 5
Strained allies and a stalled offensive near Moscow
With the German offensive faltering, coordination and trust among the allies erode. The operation stalls near Moscow, leaving troops locked in a grueling stalemate. As casualties mount, hope fades and morale dips further.
When:1941-1942 Where:Near Moscow
- 6
CSIR reorganized into the 8th Italian Army
In the following year, CSIR is reorganized into the 8th Italian Army and continues fighting alongside German forces during the second summer offensive. The change signals a new phase with heavier casualties and higher risks. The soldiers brace for intensified combat and uncertain outcomes.
When:1942 Where:Soviet Union
- 7
Soviet counteroffensive forces Italians to regroup on the Don River
The Soviets launch a counteroffensive that pushes the Italian units back to the banks of the Don River. They must mount a defensive stand and then retreat under mounting pressure. The landscape, weather, and strategic reversals make survival a constant struggle.
When:1943 Where:Banks of the Don River, Soviet Union
- 8
Loris dies after following a Russian girl into a sunflower field
Loris, a naive Romagnol farmer, dies after following a Russian girl into a sunflower field. His death underscores the human cost of war and the fragility of life on the front. It remains one of the film's stark reminders that personal tragedy can erupt in ordinary moments.
When:1943 Where:Sunflower field, Soviet Union
- 9
Collodi dies due to a comrade's thoughtless action
Collodi, the Tuscan typesetter, loses his life due to a comrade's reckless act. The incident demonstrates how mistakes and misjudgments ripple through the unit and magnify suffering. His death deepens the sense of loss that haunts the group.
When:1942-1943 Where:Eastern Front, Soviet Union
- 10
Calò becomes a Soviet prisoner with the colonel
Calò, the Sicilian soldier, is captured alongside the colonel and becomes a Soviet prisoner. Their captivity illustrates the shifting fortunes of soldiers caught between hostile powers. The experience marks a turning point for their characters and the unit's cohesion.
When:1943 Where:Soviet Union
Show the other 3 events of Attack and Retreat Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Major Ferri killed by fellow Italians during retreat
Major Ferri, a hidden fascist, is killed by fellow Italians during the retreat. The event exposes deep ideological rifts under pressure and the brutal consequences of disorder. It underscores the cost of internal conflict amid a collapsing frontline.
When:1943 Where:Eastern Front, retreat
- 12
Libero leaves the group after Giuseppe's death, attempting to return alone
Libero, the Roman plumber, leaves the group after Giuseppe's death and tries to return home alone. He confronts freezing weather and exhaustion, eventually succumbing to a storm on his perilous journey. His fate highlights the randomness of survival in the war's harsh landscape.
When:1943 Where:Don River region, attempted return route
- 13
The film charts a mosaic of personal tragedies amid a brutal campaign
Across the campaign, each main character meets a final, personal fate—Loris, Collodi, Calò, Ferri, Libero—reflecting the broader cost of the Eastern Front. Their losses expose the fragility of loyalty, ideology, and camaraderie under extreme conditions. In this fragment of the war, personal stories carry the weight of historical events.
When:1941-1943 Where:Eastern Front, Soviet Union
Who Are the Main Characters in Attack and Retreat?
7 characters, among them Loris, Collodi (Gino Pernice) and Calò (Franco Moruzzi): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 5 of them link to the actor’s page.
- L
Loris
A naive Romagnol farmer whose simple idealism hides a longing for belonging. He follows a Russian girl into a sunflower field, an act that becomes a stark symbol of lost innocence in war. His death marks a dramatic reminder of how civilian hopes are crushed on the front.
- 💔 Tragic fate
- 🧭 Naive idealism
- 🌾 Rural soldier
- C(
Collodi (Gino Pernice)
Played by Gino Pernice
A Tuscan typesetter whose sturdy facade masks a growing strain of loyalty and trust within the unit. He dies as a result of a comrade's thoughtless action, underscoring how easily confidence can fracture under pressure. His death highlights the human cost of war beyond battlefield losses.
- 💔 Tragic fate
- 🧭 Loyalty conflict
- 🧑🏭 Artisan
- C(
Calò (Franco Moruzzi)
Played by Franco Moruzzi
A Sicilian soldier whose bond with the colonel embodies regional ties within a multinational force. His fate includes becoming a Soviet prisoner alongside the colonel, illustrating how alliances can fracture under captivity and shifting loyalties. He embodies the precariousness of companionship in retreat.
- 🤝 Loyalty
- 🗡️ War
- 🇮🇹 Sicilian
-
Major Ferri (Ferri Maria Ferri) (Arthur Kennedy)
Played by Arthur Kennedy
A hidden fascist within the unit whose presence punctuates the moral ambiguities of war. His ultimate death at the hands of fellow Italians during the retreat exposes the internal tensions and dangerous pressures of wartime propaganda and loyalty. He represents the clash between ideology and action on the battlefield.
- 💔 Hidden allegiance
- 🧭 Moral conflict
- 🪖 Leader
- GS
Giuseppe Sanna (Riccardo Cucciolla)
Played by Riccardo Cucciolla
A central figure whose death acts as a catalyst for the group's fragmentation. His presence holds the unit together until tragedy shatters the group’s cohesion, highlighting how a single loss can change the course of a march and morale.
- 💔 Catalyst
- 🧭 Leadership
- 🫂 Brotherhood
- S(
Sermonti (Andrea Checchi)
Played by Andrea Checchi
Colonel Sermonti commands with authority but is pressed by the realities of a faltering offensive. His leadership shapes the retreat and the fate of those under his command, including eventual capture in the shifting frontlines.
- 🎖️ Leader
- 🧭 Dilemma
- ⚔️ War realism
- L
Libero
A Roman plumber whose practical resolve leads him to leave the group after Giuseppe's death, attempting a lone return and succumbing to the harsher elements of the storm. His arc underscores the theme of individual struggle within collective disaster.
- 💧 Survival
- 🧭 Individualism
- 🚶♂️ Desertion
Where and When Is Attack and Retreat Set?
Attack and Retreat is set in Don River banks, near Moscow, Soviet Union and sunflower field (July 1941). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
July 1941
Set in the early months of the Eastern Front during World War II, the narrative follows Italian troops as they push forward and then retreat under Soviet pressure. The summer heat, long marches, and uncertain supply lines heighten the strain on soldiers' spirits. The sequence culminates in a desperate withdrawal to the Don River lines.
Where
Don River banks, near Moscow, Soviet Union, sunflower field
The film unfolds on the expansive banks of the Don River in the Soviet Union, framing the frontline with wide-open terrain. The harsh summer climate and rugged landscapes magnify fatigue and isolation for the Italian troops. Hostility from locals and the shadow of scorched-earth tactics create a bleak backdrop as the offensive stalls and morale declines.
- 🏞️ Landscape
- ❄️ Harsh Weather
What Are the Themes of Attack and Retreat?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Morale, Loyalty & Betrayal and Frontline Reality.
-
01
Morale
The soldiers' initial enthusiasm dissolves as harsh conditions, miscalculations, and constant strain erode their resolve. Battles become a test of endurance as fear and fatigue take priority over strategy. The retreat exposes how fragile camaraderie is when survival becomes the primary objective.
-
02
Loyalty & Betrayal
The narrative tests loyalty to comrades against the pressures of ideology and fear. A hidden fascist among the group is killed by fellow Italians, revealing how mistrust and factionalism can fracture unity. War forces hard choices that redefine what loyalty means in extreme circumstances.
-
03
Frontline Reality
Romantic notions of war are stripped away as strategy collides with chaos on the ground. Commanders juggle retreats and fragile alliances with German forces while soldiers endure hunger, weather, and the brutal grind of combat. The Don River line becomes a crucible where resolve is measured not by glory but by endurance and necessity.
What Kind of Film Is Attack and Retreat?
Bleak in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bleak
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A bleak and emotionally heavy war film that steadily follows a group of soldiers' descent from initial enthusiasm into despair, marked by harsh conditions, brutal losses, and an overall sense of futility.
- grim
- oppressive
- sorrowful
- harsh
- desperate
- somber
- war survival
- brutality of war
- military disillusionment
- brotherhood of soldiers
Content notes: war violence, execution, frostbite, extreme weather peril, mass death.
