I couldn't believe that this was a Spike Lee Movie. The Drama, The Action and heart felt finale was top notch. Spike has taken his productions to the next level in this Portrayal of war, friendship and the human element. An element that shines through in one of the darkest periods in the 20th century. The movie was a bit on the long side and probably could have been trimmed down with a few deleted scenes. But as usual with Lees Raw gritty style,nothing was held back. This movie deserves more credit than it received. Definitely one of those movies that will leave you feeling that no matter what the odds are the human spirit will always come through in the end. Weather you Buy it, or rent it it is a must see.
Not just an excellent war movie...not just a meaningful treatise on racism...not just a film about very different people finding common ground...although it is indeed all of the above. Though it depicts the triumph of the human spirit, it also shows needless suffering, bad things happening to good people, and the "good guys" making mistakes or taking action that hurts others. Like real life, this isn't a feel-good movie, and it's not horrific. It is both. It begins in 1984 with an intriguing mystery: why does a seemingly mild-mannered postal clerk suddenly murder a customer? The plot thickens when the head of an ancient Italian statue is found in the clerk's home. The action then flashes back forty years to World War 2, with a unit of all-black soldiers being sent on what is essentially a suicide mission --- and one of them has the statue's head. So many different plot elements are introduced that it seems impossible they will all be resolved in a comprehensible way --- and yet everything is wrapped up without any holes. The little boy, the Italian partisans, and the captured German soldier don't seem very important at first...but when the audience finally sees the whole picture, it's brilliant. Storytelling at its best. Should have won several academy awards.Read full review
I love war movies, especially movies that tell real life stories, but this movie has some skips and jumps that may leave you dissatisfied, and most likely leave you wondering. The film quality is excellent, good actors, but the story has too many gaps, you fill in the blanks. Who is this person, why did this happen, and the worse for me, a non ending. What happened? This comes across as a true story, but leaves the watcher to his own resources to find out what ending if any occurred.
All the way through this movie I kept thinking, "why do I know this movie?" I had not seen it before and yet the story was so familiar to me. Then it hit me! The story was not unlike the French Movie 'Days of Glory'. While there are distinct differences in the overall story lines of the two movies as well as the fact that, 'Miracle at St Anna' is based on a book by James McBride and 'Days of Glory' is based on the true story of the Algerian Volunteers who fought for the Free French throughout WW2, I could not help but think that there are some very haunting similarities between the two movies - but maybe that's just me? However, all that aside, 'Miracle at St Anna' is still a damn fine war movie!
One of the best movies directed by Spike Lee. MIRACLE AT ST ANNA is a great retelling of James McBride's novel, of the all-Black, 92nd Infantry Division, the Buffalo Soldiers in Italy during WWII. The story of how four members of a squad find themselves caught behind German lines in the mountainous region of Tuscany, Italy, the relationship of a traumatized boy between the Germans & Americns. This story accurately & honestly describes the attitudes & relationships experienced in civilian & military life of the racial tensions that existed then. The answer as to "why" by the main character, as developed in the opening scenes is exceptable, but weak. The opening scenes could have been left out, or re-written, because they do not detract from the conclusion of the story: the value of love & friendship extended to those we know, as well as to strangers has a far reaching effect we can never truly know. Great story, script, dialog, editing & directing, ranking along with SAVING PRIVATE RYAN & WINDTALKERS of WWII. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!!Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs