“Kalashnikov” (2020) is a Russian biographical film that tells the remarkable story of Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the legendary AK-47 assault rifle.
Plot Summary:
The film begins with Mikhail Kalashnikov as a young farmer from Altai, secretly crafting a toy gun with functional features. In 1941, during World War II, Kalashnikov serves as a tank commander in the Red Army. After being seriously injured in battle near Bryansk, he is pulled from the front lines.
While recovering, he witnesses the failures of Soviet machine guns, which inspired him to design a more reliable weapon for the military. Returning to Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, Kalashnikov sought the necessary resources to bring his vision to life. After numerous setbacks and challenges, he successfully developed the AK-47, which was officially adopted for mass production by the Soviet Union in 1949.
The film details Kalashnikov’s journey from his early days on the battlefield, where his first automatic weapon designs were tested, to the peaceful days following the war, where the AK-47 emerged as one of the most iconic firearms in history. The film also explores the intense pressure and obstacles Kalashnikov faced in his pursuit of creating the perfect weapon.
Reception:
Kalashnikov premiered in Russia on February 20, 2020, and received positive reviews for its compelling narrative and Yuri Borisov’s standout performance as Mikhail Kalashnikov. The film provides a deep, human perspective on one of the most influential inventors of the 20th century.