Bleak and not really full of God

Rating: 7/10 (23 June 2007)

This film was very heavily recommended to me, which usually sets you up to be let down. Still, not being a big fan of war films I still wasn't expecting much, but I was very pleased with what I got. Whilst not particularly new or original (war is hell, Germans are people too, other such revelations) this is a satisfyingly grim and bleak look at a grim and bleak time, well mode and beautifully photographed. Apparently some people found the film to be Mormon propaganda and, whilst I did find some of the Christian sentimentality to be a bit 'in your face' I'm not sure what makes it Mormon as opposed to any other faction of that particular delusion. And it didn't detract from the story sowho cares? My biggest gripe was the daftly stereotypical Englishman, a caricature that threatened to unbalance the good work done elsewhere in creating a sense of reality, but overall this was a well shot, well acted and enjoyable film.