Saints and Soldiers (2005)

 lame
This movie was a bit on the lame side, not much action, total lefty movie. January 7, 2008

 There are no "We" or "Them" in War, there are just men out there...
I love this movie.

Short, to the point, and never, ever boring.

That's how movies should be made on a regular basis.

A wonderful cast of Film newcomer actors grips your guts throughout the movie making you care about them.

CAREFUL! SPOILERS FROM HERE ON...

The story unfolds from the famous (or infamous) Massacre at Malmedy, in the Belgian Ardennes during the German flash counteroffensive in the winter of 1944.

Four men, manage to survive the ordeal, keeping a low profile and trying to stay put, but not for long...

While seeking the next refuge, the four stumble upon a downed British Reconnaissance Pilot, who soon joins them out of necessity.

He carries important strategic information that has to reach the Allied HQ before the Germans manage to cross the Meuse River.

Not a simple feat, since the German lines seem to spread all across where the five are trying to move.

Now the mission has switched gears. It is not enough anymore to just survive. The five have now a true mission at their hands and realize the great responsibility they have been handed out for the future of the Allied advance in the West.

Now, the five have once again, a mission to accomplish. A very dangerous one at that.

SPOILERS END HERE.

Knowing the background to which these, now five, "brothers at arms" are set, we also have their personal stories to deal with. The various encounters they have along their way and the different risks and threats always real and always ominously impending on their heads.

All this put together in an 86min movie makes it a classic just like "When Trumpets Fade", "A Christmas Clear" or even "Band of Brothers".

Consider only this though. This movie was made with a budget below the 1 million dollar bill.
Amazing!

Besides, what makes it all worthwhile watching is the accuracy in details that one only would expect from a major production, and even there, only seldom one gets.

All this courtesy of passionate WWII reenactors, who contributed in droves from all over the United States with accurate vehicle replicas, accurate German and U.S. uniforms and firearms.
No more M2A1 Half-Tracks standing in for SdKfz. 251s, but the real things in working order.

The sound effects also, reproduced in DD 5.1 Surround Sound are as realistic as one can come. No more overdubbed sound effects but the natural actual firearm sounds as they were experienced by those who were there.

The music is simplistic and kept at a respectful level, and yet impressive and emotionally charged where needed.

The direction of the movie itself is flawless and at times seems to be documentaristic in style, as if we, the audience, were meant to be the "sixth" member of the group.

There are a few violent scenes, but never overdrawn or gratuitous in scope. The violence surges out of the events, not just for the sake of showing it.

And this alone is done in a very respectful way, with the viewer in mind, and as such, reminds us that those men we are watching are not just "heroes", they are above all normal, everyday guys, whose only true ambition is to make it to stay alive long enough, as to return safely home...

I would recommend it to all, and to all ages, especially young ones. They would probably understand better what being involved in a war is truly all about. At least from a pure human point of view.

The DVD is well presented and as said, comes with a slick Dolby Digital 5.1 Soundtrack, as well as having a sharp, striking "cold" picture to it, which actually enhances the feeling of the freezing conditions with which soldiers were faced during that campaign.

If you already own, "When Trumpets Fade", "A Midnight Clear" and "Band of Brothers", this one is a worthy companion to them. But in value, I would dare say, it surpasses them by far.

I hope that the cast and crew that made this movie, might decide to get together one day and show us other wonders of this kind. December 20, 2007

 Not just for "Christians"
I had no idea until I read elsewhere that the director (whose feature debut this is) had made short films for the LDS (Mormons). Regardless, this is a timely and absorbing WWII story. Yes, the character "Deacon" is presented as a former missionary (in Berlin), but this is not a "preachy" movie, unless you consider a stance of wanting peace "preachy." Nor is his denomination ever mentioned.

It is amazing what the producers did on a miniscule budget, luckily they had hundreds of WWII re-enactors doing the combat scenes on their own dime. This ensured a lot of realism, perhaps not totally historically accurate, but still well-done.

Some of the dialogue, as noted in other reviews, is a bit anachronistic, e.g., did they really use the term "flipped out" in the 1940s? I doubt it. But these are minor quibbles, that do not detract from the overall quality of the film.

Recommended for WWII buffs and anyone who likes a dramatic story with an optimistic message. November 14, 2007

 Plays well in SLC; others beware
If you factor in a one million dollar budget (the equivalent of paying $3.82 for a new car), and if you sufficiently lower your expectations accordingly, then this movie is easy enough way to pass the time. The battle scenes are fairly well done, although relying heavily on the Saving Private Ryan/Gladiator style jerky cinematography. I have to admit that seeing the M1 Garand in full throat is always stirring to me, even if the rest of a movie is sort of cheesy.

And that's what this movie is. Other reviewers (the ones who may not be Romney supporters) have noted the cornball dialogue. It's really shameful, and it's difficult to see why even with a million-dollar budget, that the film-makers couldn't have provided a better script. I just about turned the movie off when Deacon was reunited with an old Sunday School chum. Give me a freakin' break!

For a more potent, more ambiguous, and less preachy vision of religion in war, readers are encouraged to check out To End All Wars. Or for that matter, Sergeant York with Gary Cooper! May 15, 2007

 Excellent work of recreating a little-heard of piece of history.
I have to admit, I had never heard of the events this movie is based on until I watched the movie. However, this made the movie even more interesting to me. After watching the commentary in the special features, I do not think this movie could have been made much better. To begin with, the movie recreates a true story, thus limiting the liberties the producers could take with the story. Then to make this movie on a small budget and still make it look as good as it did, I am impressed.
This movie is not without its faults, however. There were such things as German soldiers walking only yards away the footprints of the American soldiers in the snow without seeing those footprints. Maybe something similar happened in the actual event, but the movie could have been a little more realistic and simply not have had the German soldiers walk so close to the Americans' hideout.
Even so, I found the movie to be rather intriguing. The main character is quickly shown to be a Christian haunted by memories from. A good portion of the movie is a sort of gradual revealing of exactly what it is that haunts him. One thing that I found really meaningful was how the ending played out. As a Christian myself, I found it a little easier to understand the main character (yes, I have forgotten his name!) and I was able to see the ending in a different light than a non-Christian might. The best way to explain this without giving away too many details is by saying that it shows the literal explanation of the Bible verse that says, "No greater love is this, that a man should lay down his life for his friend."

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie and for several reasons. First, it was about WW2 history, specifically some WW2 history that I was previously unaware of. Second, there was plenty of action and surprises, regardless of what other reviewers might say. Third, although it is never stated or really even implied, I personally think that this is a Christian movie. In showing true history, the producers also showed the good side of true Christianity.
Once again, i really enjoyed this movie and I highly recommend it. If you do see it, I would suggest you also watch the following commentary. Enjoy. March 7, 2007

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