A Historical Film Must Fill in Some Spaces

Rating: 7/10 (29 October 2009)

I can understand history buffs taking people who are critical to task. This is probably a pretty good representation of an historical event. I was captivated. It's a good looking film, with mountains and forests and paths to secret places. Where it breaks down for me, the casual movie goer and non-historian, is in the great number of characters, their loyalties, and their participation in this event. If you are marketing to a large audience, you must have a little softer touch. I suppose one could say, "You're stupid! That's your tough luck." I'll leave that to the documentaries. As for the flap over Tom Cruise, I had a hard time with him being a Nazi colonel. I can't explain it. He's got the glistening teeth and the boyish look, and, even with the missing parts, he doesn't work for me. I just didn't feel the emotional anguish I think a Stanley Kubrick would have brought out. The characters, mostly Nazi's, sort of blended into one lump, and when the movie ends, I'm not sure I've quite got it. Still, it is big and impressive and shoots high.