Welcome back to Movie Recap. Today I'm gonna show you a 2012 Russian war film called,
White Tiger. Spoilers ahead. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the video.
The movie begins in 1943 at the Eastern Front tank battle during summer. As World War Two ends,
the soldiers walk towards the wrecked vehicles to check if there are still enemies inside the tanks.
While scanning, the Comrade Captain knocks the gear to call his soldier,
asking if he already takes out the man inside. Unfortunately, the soldier says his hands are
stuck, so the Comrade Captain looks inside. To his surprise, he finds an alive tank crew
driver in a disabled Soviet tank, almost running out of breath because of the burns in his body.
Afterward, the soldiers carry him to move his body out of the disabled tank.
Then, they take him to the hospital using the military vehicle. Seconds later, they finally
arrive where the doctors and nurses are curing wounded soldiers. At first, the doctor refuses
to see the burned man, but when the nurse checks his pulse, still beating, the doctor orders the
soldiers to bring him to the tent. Miraculously, the tank crew driver recovers from burns covering
ninety percent of his body with no scarring. Later at night, the doctor visits the recovered
tank crew driver in the isolation room. Then, he orders the nurse to change his dressings.
Afterward, the doctor asks his name, but the tank crew member answers that he doesn’t know his name.
So, they start digging some of his information and request to
call the tank crew member to interrogate him. Luckily, they find out that his name is Naidyonov,
Ivan Ivanovich, a Russian born in 1914. The General refuses to believe at first because the
accompanying forms from the field hospital say he’s only an unknown crewman. Hence,
the Comrade Captain answers, saying that everyone calls him “Ivan Ivanych.” So, in the end, they
have given his name Ivan Naydyonov, which means “found” since they discovered him from the tank.
Afterward, they start talking about his body’s miraculous peculiarity, which they have shown
full of disbelief after he recovered from the burns. Unfortunately, Naydyonov gets a
rare case of retrograde amnesia, meaning he does not know who he is but retains all his skills.
So, despite having amnesia, the Comrade Captain suggests to the General that it would be correct
to accept him as fit for non-combat duty since standing orders allow no exceptions.
Later, Naydyonov introduces himself to the two Comrade Captains as Sergeant Naidyonov,
a mechanic-driver, and a second company. He then pinpoints the purpose of what he is doing
in the tanks, telling them that a “panther” put it out of commission and was ambushed.
Confused, the Comrade Captain asks who said that to him,
so Naydyonov reveals that the tank told him itself. Unfortunately, it seems like
Naydyonov believes he can communicate with the tanks as if they are people,
though he tries his best not to advertise it so that people won’t think he’s crazy.
Still not believing, Nikolai asks again if the tank told Naydyonov something.
So, he says that it got hit by a “ White Tiger,” the same one that sets him on fire. Afterward,
rumors arise about a new, invincible Nazi tank that appears seemingly out of nowhere.
Nikolai’s comrade tries to convince him that it is true because it wreaks destruction and
disappears back into the forest. But then, Nikolai remains to disagree and suddenly walks out.
Meanwhile, Wilhelm interrogates a captured German soldier about the White Tiger painted completely
white. As he tries to tell all the information about the White Tiger, Wilhelm makes sure it’s
confirmed by asking if he sees it personally. Yet, the German soldier says that among the
Russian tanks that attacked them, only the mysterious tank dubbed by the White Tiger
of the Soviet and German forces could destroy all the tanks and suddenly disappear as if it
dissolved into thin air. Unfortunately, it is not the captured German soldier who sees it,
but his comrade who took part in the battle that told him about it.
After a while, the Soviets form a meeting to respond to the threat of the White Tiger. While
conferring, one of the Generals suggests that they should create one unique tank based on their
“T-34/85” with stronger armor, a more powerful engine, and only needing three crew members.
Afterward, General Smirnov asks how long it will take, so he says that a month, yet the General
seems eager to see the upgraded version of their tank, so he says it should be done in two weeks.
Then, afterward, General Smirnov asks who’s responsible for their plan,
so Comrade Marshal says that it’s Deputy Chief of counter-espionage of the army Major Fedotov.
After that, General Smirnov lets Major Fedotov choose the best crew. Without hesitation,
he picks Naydyonov as the commander and driver; Kryuk, the gunner; and Berdyev, the loader.
Later, Major Fedotov talks with Naydyonov. As they talk, he asks Naydyonov how eager he is
to fight against the White Tiger as revenge for his battalion who died because of that tank. Yet,
Naydyonov answers that the White Tiger is dead. Suddenly, Naydyonov reveals that he sees “White
Tiger” and how it burned them mercilessly after it got itself to get killed,
too. However, Major Fedotov shows a lack of interest in how the White Tiger died, only in
the types of equipment inside it. So, Naydyonov tells in detail what does the tank looks like.
Since Naydyonov is the most recommended soldier who knows how to maneuver the tank professionally,
Major Fedotov requests that he be classified as a junior lieutenant with the commander of
the experimental Tank T-34/85. Afterward, Major Fedotov proceeds to announce his new assignment
to find and destroy the tank “White Tiger.” Later, Naydyonov begins his mission and shares
his plans with Major Fedotov. Naydyonov then says that the White Tiger hides behind the forest,
yet the other crew begs to disagree, saying they have already checked the area and there are no
signs of White Tiger anymore. However, Major Fedotov chooses to believe Naydyonov and even
asks him his suggestion. After that, Naydyonov says he needs another tank to proceed to his plan
and ambush the White Tiger. Convinced, Major Fedotov lets Naydyonov do his mission.
After a while, Naydyonov engines the tank and hides it in a hole dug in the forest. While
covering the T-34 tank, another tank appears in front of them with a soldier. And this tank’s
purpose is to lure the White Tiger into an ambush. Afterward, Naydyonov orders him to go over the
grove, and as soon as the White Tiger appears, he will distract it with gunfire and maneuvers.
Later, Major Fedotov watches Naydyonov and his crew prepare to capture the White Tiger.
As Naydyonov waits for the signal, the White Tiger finally appears and destroys the other T-34 tank.
As the White Tiger attacks, Major Fedotov, on the other hand, tries taking photos of it but,
unfortunately, fails. And while the White Tiger finishes destroying the other Tank,
Nadyonov’s Tank suddenly appears and gets hit by the White Tiger from behind at close range.
However, it only conflicts minor damage before inexplicable retreating into the forest.
Luckily, Naydyonov’s plan succeeds as the White Tiger decides to withdraw.
After that, Naydyonov’s crew gets puzzled as they realize why the White Tiger retreats
instead of destroying their tank. The fact that the White Tiger can easily ruin
their tank makes Naydyonov’s crew think the reason why their enemy chooses to disappear
instead of finishing them off. Afterward, Major Fedotov walks toward him to check his status,
yet Naydyonov remains silent. Major Fedotov then says that the White Tiger outfoxed him.
Meanwhile, The Soviets believe the White Tiger sank into the swamp behind the forest,
saying that after the battle against Naydyonov, the White Tiger disappears again.
However, Naydyonov refuses to believe the disappearance of the White Tiger and says that
it’s still out there. While Major Fedotov, on the other hand, is almost convinced by his Sergeant
Sairpov that Naydyonov believes in the Tank Gods. Later, Major Fedotov visits the camp where
Naydyonov is staying. Afterward, Major Fedotov suddenly sees him kneeling in the middle of the
field while the wrecked tanks surround him. So, Major Fedotov walks towards him and asks about the
White Tiger. Naydyonov then says that the White Tiger is preparing and waiting for their attack.
Unfortunately, Major Fedotov tries to confirm if Naydyonov believes in ‘tank God’ by asking him
what the tank said. And it seems like Naydyonov believes in “The Tank God” and thinks it wants
him to destroy the White Tiger. Naydyonov then reveals that he understands the tanks because
he hears them, and the tanks are the reason he survives his battles. Full of disbelief,
Major Fedotov still chooses to listen as he hears Naydyonov says that he thinks that when shells
are fired at him, the tank will warn him of the incoming danger so that he can avoid it.
In short, Naydyonov tells them that despite the burn he felt after the battle,
the tanks still saved and protected him. Afterward, Sergeant Sairpov convinces Major
Fedotov that Naydyonov needs to return to the hospital as he assumes that he’s already crazy
and getting out of control. Yet, Major Fedotov refuses to follow his suggestion, especially when
he hears Naydyonov saying that he is convinced that the enemy tank is a crewless aerial vehicle,
a ghost of the war, to be exact. And instead of reassigning the crew, Major Fedotov chooses to
believe Naydyonov and assists him on his mission. Meanwhile, the Soviets interrogated the captured
German soldier again. While they ask him piles of questions, the German soldier,
later on, reveals that he does not know the White Tiger. He then remarks that the legends
of the tanks are everywhere and cause them sooner fear than hope in the German Army. Yet,
the Soviets refuse to believe as they have not seen any document connected to the White Tiger.
Later on, the Soviet tanks force takes the advance to attack the White Tiger.
Afterward, they begin firing and move their tanks towards the area of the White Tiger.
However, the White Tiger fires faster and more accurately, causing them to be completely wiped
out as they realize that its firing is way better than any human crew capable of doing it.
To the Soviet’s surprise, they witness how the White Tiger destroys their tanks in just a
single shot. Afterward, the Comrade Army Commander orders his soldier to withdraw as General Fedotov
confirms that the White Tiger wipes them out. Meanwhile, the Tank of Naydyonov gives chase
to the White Tiger. While chasing, Naydyonov confirms to his crew that they are going to the
White Tiger’s area. Fortunately, they escape from the foggy area and reach the spot of an
abandoned village. Suddenly, Naydyonov detects a Panzer IV tank concealed in a barn as they move.
So, he orders Kryuk to hit it with an armor-piercing shell on the wall, level
with the turret. Luckily, Kryuk hits it, disabling its turret. But, little does Naydyonov know; the
White Tiger is just hiding behind it, so Naydyonov engages his tank to fight against the White Tiger.
However, Naydyonov’s T-34’s gun barrel suddenly gets some mud stuck in it upon maneuvering. To
their surprise, the White Tiger suddenly shoots, but its gun misfires, giving them the access to
move forward and shoot his turret back to finish off the enemy. However, Kryuk’s gun misfires as
the cannon blow up. So, Naydyonov gets out of his tank and shoots the White Tiger using the gun,
but then it suddenly retreats and moves backward. Meanwhile, Fedotov goes to the office of the
Commanding General to convince him that both White Tiger and the “born-again” Naydyonov are not the
creations of a man but of the war itself. Fedotov even says that no man inside the tank operates it,
only the tank itself. He also reveals what Naydyonov says about the tanks that he hears,
yet the Commanding General seems unconvinced. The Commanding General then says,
if Naydyonov hears the warning of his tank, why didn’t he listen to it the first time.
So, Fedotov answers, saying that Naydyonov only possessed the capability after he got
burned and survived. However, the Commanding General is still not convinced, so he orders
Fedotov to rest up and have his ten-day leave. And when he returns, they will take the Berlin.
Later, the peace talks between the Germans and Soviets began in a conference room after the
Battle of Berlin in May 1945. Afterward, the Soviets start their discussion by asking the
German representatives to familiarize themselves with the statement of complete and unconditional
surrender. Luckily, the Germans agreed with their agreement and signed the contract.
Then, after the agreement, the Germans Officers walk together with their soldiers while Fedotov
and the rest of the Russian army watch them. Afterward, he begins to maneuver his vehicle
to go to the field when suddenly he meets Naydyonov fixing the traction of his tank.
So, Naydyonov gets out and talks with Fedotov. As they talk, Fedotov asks where his crew goes
after the war, so Naydyonov says they bury themselves drinking. Afterward, Fedotov convinces
him to go home by saying that the war is already over. Yet, Naydyonov refuses to agree and says
that the war is not finished yet, not until he finally destroys the White Tiger all by himself.
Fedotov then walks towards him and says he’s not there anymore ever since the Vistula battle.
Yet, Naydyonov still believes that the White Tiger is waiting and just biding
its time while healing from the wounds he gets from the war. Naydyonov also says the
White Tiger can wait for over twenty to a hundred years before it strikes again.
Leaving Fedotov no choice, he returns to his vehicle and leaves Naydyonov behind. However,
right after he turns around, Naydyonov suddenly vanishes into thin air along with his tank.
The movie ends with Hitler sitting in a large room with a fireplace and mural paintings on the wall.
As he talks, there shows that he’s talking to a shadowy stranger while defending his
actions during World War. Hitler then says that after knowing each other too well for too long,
the mere fact that his observations make him realize that he and Germany
will forever be seen as monsters from now on. Afterward, Hitler says that tomorrow would bring
an unhappy Germany to his people as they would blame their country for the mortal sins it caused.
He then implies that the destruction of the Jews and his attack on Russia
was only a realization of what Europe dreamed of doing. And soon, the people would see from
thousands of ridiculous documents about the immoral actions they brought during the war.
Eventually, Hitler reveals that as long as the Earth revolves around the sun,
there will always be struggles, including the clash between people and nations,
resulting in a war that has no beginning or end; and war is the original human state.