The Cranes Are Flying
“The compelling story of a girl's impassioned search for happiness.”
Veronika and Boris come together in Moscow shortly before World War II. Walking along the river, they watch cranes fly overhead, and promise to rendezvous before Boris leaves to fight. Boris misses the meeting and is off to the front lines, while Veronika waits patiently, sending letters faithfully. After her house is bombed, Veronika moves in with Boris' family, into the company of a cousin with his own intentions.
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Cast
44 people
Tatyana Samoylova
Veronika
Known for
Letter Never Sent
Aleksey Batalov
Boris
Known for
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears
Vasili Merkuryev
Fyodor Ivanovich
Known for
Cinderella
Aleksandr Shvorin
Mark
Also in
Strictly Business
Battle Beyond the Sun
Svetlana Kharitonova
Irina
Known for
It Can't Be!
Konstantin Kadochnikov
Volodya
Also in
In That Distant Summer
On the Same Planet
Valentin Zubkov
Stepan
Known for
Ivan's Childhood
Antonina Bogdanova
Grandmother
Also in
Eternally Alive
The Chairman
Boris Kokovkin
Chernov
Known for
Old Man Khottabych
Ekaterina Kupriyanova
Anna Mikhaylovna
Also in
Looking for Happiness
Conspiracy of the Doomed
Valentina Ananina
Lyuba
Known for
Cast Away
Walking the Streets of Moscow
Valentina Vladimirova
Woman Soldier
Known for
White Bim Black Ear
Mikhail Kalatozov Director · Viktor Rozov Screenplay Mieczysław Weinberg Composer
First release October 12, 1957 · Produced in Russia, Russia · Original title Летят журавли
Production
Mosfilm
Production · Studio
Russia · Russia
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Летят журавли
Original language
Russian
Spoken on screen
Russian
Release dates
Russia · October 12, 1957
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
Brazil
January 1, 1958 · Theatrical
Finland
September 19, 1958 · Theatrical
France
May 3, 1958 · Premiere · Cannes Film Festival
June 11, 1958 · Theatrical
October 1, 2019 · Physical · DVD / Blu-ray / 4K restoration
Germany
September 19, 1958 · Theatrical
Japan
August 26, 1958 · Theatrical
Netherlands
January 1, 2003 · Physical · DVD
January 9, 2025 · Theatrical · Digitale restauratie
Philippines
September 8, 1992 · Limited theatrical · UP Film Center
Portugal
January 31, 1974 · Theatrical
United Kingdom
March 18, 1959 · Theatrical · British Academy Film Awards
December 5, 2011 · Physical · DVD
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Some details come from TheTVDB.