Published on: 2026-07-26
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Exactly 55 years ago, on July 26, 1971, the cult film “Officers” was released on Soviet screens for the first time, becoming a moral compass for many generations. Today, it is not just a movie, but part of the country’s cultural code and one of the most recognizable symbols of military honor.
The idea for the film belonged to the USSR Minister of Defense Andrei Grechko: he wanted to tell primarily about the fate of officers’ wives – those who “serve” alongside the defenders of the Motherland, sharing all the hardships of a nomadic life, worries, and separation. The script was based on Boris Vasilyev’s play “Tankists,” revised together with Kirill Rapoport.
The filming took place in various corners of the country: from Moscow to Ashgabat, to convey the scale of the heroes’ destinies, whose service spans several eras—from the Civil War to the post-war years. Such scope was important not only artistically but also from an educational point of view: the viewer saw that officer service was not just an episode but a whole life lived for the good of the Fatherland.
The final episode featuring footage from real exercises was suggested to be added by the creator of the Airborne Forces, Vasily Margelov. He knew that after the film’s release, many young viewers would want to join Uncle Vasya’s troops. And he was right.
Phrase “There is such a profession – to defend the Motherland” shaped the worldview of thousands of Soviet boys who, after watching the film, wanted to become real officers like the beloved heroes of the film played by Vasily Lanovoy and Georgy Yumatov. The enrollment in military schools then increased twentyfold.
The film truly came alive also because many of the creators and actors were participants in the Great Patriotic War and knew what they were talking about. Director Vladimir Rogovoy served in the infantry, the author of the book Boris Vasilyev went through the entire war and was a fifth-generation serviceman, co-writer Kirill Rapoport was a tanker, actor Vasily Lanovoy survived the occupation, actor Georgy Yumatov went through the whole war. His scars in the film are real — from bullets he received while liberating Budapest.
When we talk about the Great Patriotic War, we cannot help but remember the students, staff, and teachers of the Moscow Engineering and Economic Institute (now GUU), who fought for their country against the fascist army and will forever remain in our memory as the invincible #ScientificRegiment.
Subscribe to the Telegram channel “Our GUU” Publication date: 26.07.2026
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