Ballad of a Soldier (1959)
Kernel Score: 88% · 214 ratings
Genres: Drama, Romance, War
Released: 1959-12-01
Runtime: 89 minutes
Where to watch Ballad of a Soldier
- Stream: The Criterion Channel
- Free with ads: Darkroom
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
During World War II, earnest young Russian soldier Alyosha Skvortsov is rewarded with a short leave of absence for performing a heroic deed on the battlefield. Feeling homesick, he decides to visit his mother. Due to his kindhearted nature, however, Alyosha is repeatedly sidetracked by his efforts to help those he encounters, including a lovely girl named Shura. In his tour of a country devastated by war, he struggles to keep hope alive.
Ballad of a Soldier parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that this WWII drama follows a young Russian soldier on leave who repeatedly sacrifices his time to help strangers.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Wartime combat is referenced, including tank attacks, though the film focuses more on a soldier's journey home than battlefield gore.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Ballad of a Soldier
If you liked Ballad of a Soldier, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Deer Hunter (1978) — 89%
- Casualties of War (1989) — 81%
- Kalashnikov AK-47 (2020) — 84%
- Born on the Fourth of July (1989) — 79%
- Escape from Sobibor (1987) — 80%
- The Forgotten Battle (2021) — 80%
Director
Grigoriy Chukhray
Cast
- Vladimir Ivashov as Alyosha Skvortsov
- Zhanna Prokhorenko as Shura
- Antonina Maksimova as Katerina, Alyosha's Mother
- Nikolay Kryuchkov as The General
- Evgeniy Urbanskiy as Vasya, the Invalid
- Elza Lezhdey as Liza, the Invalid's Wife
- Aleksandr Kuznetsov as Gavrilkin, the Train Sentry
- Yevgeni Teterin as The Lieutenant, 'A Terrible Beast'
- Valentina Markova as Zoya, Skvortsovs' Neighbor
- Mariya Kremneva as Elizaveta Petrovna, Pavlov's Wife
Ballad of a Soldier FAQ
Is Ballad of a Soldier good?
Ballad of a Soldier has an 88% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 214 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Ballad of a Soldier?
In the US you can stream Ballad of a Soldier on The Criterion Channel and watch it free with ads on Darkroom.
Is Ballad of a Soldier OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this WWII drama follows a young Russian soldier on leave who repeatedly sacrifices his time to help strangers.
What movies are like Ballad of a Soldier?
If you liked Ballad of a Soldier, try The Deer Hunter, Casualties of War, Kalashnikov AK-47 and Born on the Fourth of July.