I just saw this film tonight at The Playhouse West Film Festival, and I must say that it is a truly beautiful piece of work. It's such a strong movie in all aspects. The performances are truly stunning. I was so deeply moved and in awe of these actors who worked off each other beautifully, had beautiful emotional depth, and were deeply committed. I am inspired.
Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.
I was there too, and I definitely agree. I was particularly touched by Lincoln Hoppe's performance.
"AW! I bought non-fat yogurt!...I wanted fat-free!"
Would you say it was as good as the first?
shareNo. I would not say it is as good as the first one. It's good though- I liked it.
I just didn't feel the sense of urgency like the first one. And I didn't connect with the characters as well. Maybe it was because I didn't know the actors when I saw the first one- so in my head they became thier characters. In this one I kept giggling to myself, "Oh Elder Emmett Johnson, you're so silly pretending to be a soldier." [Not that I don't think David Nibley is a great actor because I totally do] It was also pretty distracting to have Corbin Allred play the main character again. He does a good job but... it was weird.
I don't know what it was about it... maybe my expectations were way too high. I *love* the first one. I have seen it a zillion times and cry every time- but this one didn't hit my heart strings as hard.
But it's still good and I'll buy it when it comes out on DVD.
The movie would have be, well, the best movie in the world to beat the first. I'm glad to hear you liked it. I've only heard good things about it so far. Not sure why its only got a 6.5. I'm hoping it reaches 7.0!
shareIt was not good.
Nothing was believable, the actors appeared to be holidaying in Provence, rather than fighting a war. And all the religious stuff and moralising got rather heavy in the end
I thought that it was an excellent film and plan to add it to my video collection. I have not seen the first one, but I understand that this film follows the same path as it dicusses the Christian moral aspect when it comes to horrors of war.
Despite the film being low-budget, you could tell that they made the most with what they had. The costumes were authentic as were the weapons, and the setting was so beautiful that at times, you forget that they are fighting a war. Something else that blew me away was that i do not recall hearing a single solitary cuss word...maybe 'hell' or 'damn', but that's about it.
Early on we see an example of the bitter irony of war as the German officer talks to his wife and son. You get the sense that he is a devout Christian as he recites the prayer to his son over the phone...then upon hanging up, he immediately goes and presides over the executions of the resistance fighters.
I wanted to cry when "Curtis" died as well as when we see that the german officer has succumb to his wounds.
All in all...great film. I know that it wont get any oscar nods because it is not a big-name production, but surely it will get some more awards before the year is out. I would have loved to have seen it on the big screen.
not sure why it's rated so low. perhaps because of the christian undertones, which were way more mild than the first. even so, it was a really good movie. a nice reminder that even with a low budget, you can make a better movie with a lot of heart than big hollywood with a lot of dough.
shareI have to say that I really enjoyed this film. Was it a great film? No, not really, but when you put it into context and in relation to other films it was pretty good. It was certainly better than some of the....stuff that "professionals" from Hollywood have lately spewed out. Having seen the first "Soldiers and Saints" only once and some time ago I did not find it distracting that Corbin Allred was in this one. I remembering seeing the "Godfather" and that except for Brando the rest of the actors were relative unknowns and that made the story appear more real. That applies to this film also. Stars can be a distraction when watch a movie. In the first "Soldiers and Saints" the treatment of religeon came across as a little heavy handed, not so much in this case. For a low budget film they put an awful lot of effort in having the right props. And you know what is the best part of this film? The makers did NOT feel compelled to have a Tiger tank in it!!!!
shareHey Papp,
I agree completely with your thoughts and comments on this film. Stunning performances? Absolutely. I have seen two of these films now, and I think it is amazing that they do so well at telling very good stories.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile