Awkward Attempt

Rating: 5/10 (6 October 2012)

This is a WWII film that has two things on its mind. The plight of POW's and the inherent racism that existed at the time, even in the military, even when the Black soldiers achieved to the point of becoming aviators and Officers. It seems they could not do anything to prove that they were of equal status.
The battle scenes in this partly successful socio-drama are terrific and realistic, but the conditions in the camp and and the interplay between the Nazi's and the POW's are not. Placing the racial elements in the middle of this movie seems awkward and never does ultimately mean anything and ends up being a fruitless effort of a diversion.
This off hand setup does not help either the entertainment value of the movie or the commentary on segregation, in fact, it demeans any attempt to maintain its progressive message. In the end it is a film that you are rooting for to be better than it is. A salute from the audience that is returned half-heartedly.