24 reviews
Boring stupid movie
Hollywood shouldn't be making historical films anymore, it's wasting money. In fact, whatever movie he does, it still turns out badly. Having a subject like Operation Valkyrie (even if it doesn't deal with Operation Valkyrie itself) and failing to get attention for at least 10 minutes .It's trying to create superheroes who eventually become super-funny, 4 people almost exterminated an entire army. The film should have a warning like "forbidden to people over 12 years old.
- over-13829
- Apr 2, 2021
- Permalink
I didn't hate it
Everything doesn't have to be a masterpiece. I found this to be enjoyable, unrealistic, but entertaining to watch. The story was interesting, the characters likable, the actors were decent (I'm a Rutger Hauer fan so disappointed he wasn't in much of it), and it had a nice satisfying ending. It sort of reminded me of the old timey war movies of the 50s and 60s.
- gayle22864-1
- Aug 19, 2019
- Permalink
An important story
Where have the real actors gone?!
Please stop with Tom Sizemore. He was once great and now he is just plain bad. Having him in a movie will make me actively avoid the movie from now on. I was once a fan, but this is the last time I will be faked into watching another movie where he gives a horrible performance. And on top of that he's hardly in it. He has completely lost it. This should've been an easy job to give a good performance, but he's embarrassing. Stop casting him. I'm done. And "Beyond" Sizemore, the entire cast is horrible except for Stephen Lang. I mean where did they find these actors. They all have frosted blonde hair and look ridiculous. I didn't believe for a minute they were from the time period. They acted like Hollywood actors -- soft, sensitive, metro sexual. Men that fought this war were men. They had some cajones. These guys were limp. And now to the movie. It was bad. Not one single exciting moment. And the West meets East thing felt like it was pandering and stupid. I could go on and on and on, but I will just say this -- go watch "Saving Private Ryan" or "Where Eagles Dare" or "Band Of Brothers." Stay away from this sophomoric slop!
Movie might be far-fetched, but the premise isn't.
Some people have commented that the Roman Church helping the Nazis is unbelievable
It isn't. Here are a couple of excerpts from https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratlines_(World_War_II_aftermath)
-- Spain, not Rome, was the "first center of ratline activity that facilitated the escape of Nazi fascists," although the exodus itself was planned within the Vatican.
-- By 1946, there were hundreds of war criminals in Spain, and thousands of former Nazis and fascists. According to then-United States Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, Vatican cooperation in turning over these "asylum-seekers" was "negligible". According to Phayer, Pius XII "preferred to see fascist war criminals on board ships sailing to the New World rather than seeing them rotting in POW camps in zonal Germany
It isn't. Here are a couple of excerpts from https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratlines_(World_War_II_aftermath)
-- Spain, not Rome, was the "first center of ratline activity that facilitated the escape of Nazi fascists," although the exodus itself was planned within the Vatican.
-- By 1946, there were hundreds of war criminals in Spain, and thousands of former Nazis and fascists. According to then-United States Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, Vatican cooperation in turning over these "asylum-seekers" was "negligible". According to Phayer, Pius XII "preferred to see fascist war criminals on board ships sailing to the New World rather than seeing them rotting in POW camps in zonal Germany
- rbutterworth-81229
- Aug 28, 2017
- Permalink
This Really Seems To Be More About The Cold War Than World War II
So the story is entirely fictional. Well, not entirely, I suppose. There really was an Operation Valkyrie - a failed attempt by the military to assassinate Hitler in the weeks after D-Day. Beyond that, this is pretty much fictional. The plot has a number of high-ranking Nazi officials along with a German Catholic Bishop planning to make off with a huge amount of gold bullion, escape in a submarine to Argentina and, with this war lost, try to establish the Fourth Reich. Yes, there were a number of high ranking Nazis who escaped to Argentina as the war came to an end. Yes, the Catholic Church had some involvement in those escapes. But there's no evidence that I know of that any huge amount of German gold went with them or that there was any intention or desire to start a "Fourth Reich." Most of them just wanted to escape prosecution for war crimes. So, there's a grain of truth to this story (as there generally is with all legends) but it is a fictional story - and to its credit, it makes no claim otherwise. It opens with captions offering a description of the anti-Hitler German underground - although it overstates the significance of the movement: the vast majority of Nazis (and even every day Germans) remained loyal to Hitler, or at least unwilling to do anything against him - and it closes with captions describing the exodus of some Nazis to South America, and then offering some thoughts about the co-operation between the Americans and the Soviets during the war.
Now, there's the point of the story, I think. Using the aftermath of the failed Operation Valkyrie as the context, the movie really offers a portrayal of a group of American (and one British) members of a special ops team parachuted into East Prussia to extract an anti-Nazi German officer who has information valuable to the Allies who are forced to co-operate with a Soviet special ops team working in the same area. The American team is led by Sean Patrick Flanery as Capt. Blackburn and the Soviet team by Pasha D. Lychnikoff as Maj. Kulkov (who I recognized from his turn as an astronaut on a few episodes of The Big Bang Theory.) Personally, I thought Lychnikoff offered the stronger performance of the two. Distrustful of each other at first, the two teams have to begin to work together against their common enemy (and, as they were deep behind enemy lines, their common threat.) A lot of that is pretty typical war movie stuff. There are a lot of firefights, and most of them are entirely unbelievable as this small number of Allied soldiers repeatedly takes down innumerable German soldiers. But it's a war movie. You expect that.
The most intriguing character in the movie was probably Elke - the very pretty secretary of one of the German officers seeking escape to Argentina - who was actually a part of the Kreisau Circle, which was in fact one of the major anti-Hitler conspiracies. She was played by the very pretty Julie Engelbrecht, an actress largely unknown on this side of the Atlantic, most of whose work has been done in Germany. She is, indeed, very pretty - and she does a good job in the role, and I thought Elke was an important character who in a way represented to me the future of Germany, torn between East and West. Actually, the whole movie seems to be a sort of setting up of the Cold War more than counting down the last days of World War II.
No one is going to watch this and think it's one of the great World War II movies. The whole story is just a bit too outlandish to be taken seriously. But it has its moments of excitement. (6/10)
Now, there's the point of the story, I think. Using the aftermath of the failed Operation Valkyrie as the context, the movie really offers a portrayal of a group of American (and one British) members of a special ops team parachuted into East Prussia to extract an anti-Nazi German officer who has information valuable to the Allies who are forced to co-operate with a Soviet special ops team working in the same area. The American team is led by Sean Patrick Flanery as Capt. Blackburn and the Soviet team by Pasha D. Lychnikoff as Maj. Kulkov (who I recognized from his turn as an astronaut on a few episodes of The Big Bang Theory.) Personally, I thought Lychnikoff offered the stronger performance of the two. Distrustful of each other at first, the two teams have to begin to work together against their common enemy (and, as they were deep behind enemy lines, their common threat.) A lot of that is pretty typical war movie stuff. There are a lot of firefights, and most of them are entirely unbelievable as this small number of Allied soldiers repeatedly takes down innumerable German soldiers. But it's a war movie. You expect that.
The most intriguing character in the movie was probably Elke - the very pretty secretary of one of the German officers seeking escape to Argentina - who was actually a part of the Kreisau Circle, which was in fact one of the major anti-Hitler conspiracies. She was played by the very pretty Julie Engelbrecht, an actress largely unknown on this side of the Atlantic, most of whose work has been done in Germany. She is, indeed, very pretty - and she does a good job in the role, and I thought Elke was an important character who in a way represented to me the future of Germany, torn between East and West. Actually, the whole movie seems to be a sort of setting up of the Cold War more than counting down the last days of World War II.
No one is going to watch this and think it's one of the great World War II movies. The whole story is just a bit too outlandish to be taken seriously. But it has its moments of excitement. (6/10)
Spoiler Alert - This movie makes you wish the 4th Reich won
Fun WW2 movie!
When I watched this movie, it reminded me a lot about the videogame series "Commandos".
I think the director must have played these games himself :)
Yes, it's not a very realistic movie, but the acting and special effects are ok, the action is fun to watch, the story was interesting enough for me to watch the whole movie, etc.
The movie also reminded me of older war movies like: Where Eagles Dare, The Guns Of Navarone, The Dirty Dozen, etc.
Yes, it's not a very realistic movie, but the acting and special effects are ok, the action is fun to watch, the story was interesting enough for me to watch the whole movie, etc.
The movie also reminded me of older war movies like: Where Eagles Dare, The Guns Of Navarone, The Dirty Dozen, etc.
- Eelco_1977
- Mar 16, 2018
- Permalink
Hard to take!!!!
This movie is sub-par. It is very poorly acted and everyone looks the same. The screenplay and plotting are over wrought and not the least bit compelling. I cannot say enough bad things about this movie. At the very least it could've had some decent action, but no. It was severely lacking in this department as well. It was flat and dull and excruciating to watch. Watching a heart monitor with a flat-line for 100 minutes would be more entertaining. Whoever was in charge of foisting this to the movie-going world was sorely misguided. If you're going to be bad at least be bad with some excitement. There wasn't a single exciting moment in this movie. AVOID!!!!
- Ellisblack17
- Sep 29, 2016
- Permalink
Good B movie with a message
For a fictional not big budget WW2 war movie it is good for what it is. An American / British team go behind enemy lines in Prussia and team up with a Russian team and a good Fraulien to stop the 4th Reich from being formed.
The cast isn't very famous except Tom Sizemore and an elderly looking Rutger Hauer. Liked the actress Julie Englebrecht - she's pretty and convincing in her role as a good German.
There is a feel good video game logic to the story but it's actually quite good. Of course there is some unrealistic aspects like the respective kill ratios. But who cares, it's quite enjoyable and the fictional elements are inspired by a factual framework.
The message of this movie is the U.S. and Russia fighting on the same side against a common enemy is a good idea.
The cast isn't very famous except Tom Sizemore and an elderly looking Rutger Hauer. Liked the actress Julie Englebrecht - she's pretty and convincing in her role as a good German.
There is a feel good video game logic to the story but it's actually quite good. Of course there is some unrealistic aspects like the respective kill ratios. But who cares, it's quite enjoyable and the fictional elements are inspired by a factual framework.
The message of this movie is the U.S. and Russia fighting on the same side against a common enemy is a good idea.
- phd_travel
- Dec 5, 2016
- Permalink
Preposterous Attempt at a Film History Lesson!
Good movie with lots of action
typical hollywood movie
Fictitious story line with typical mix of hollywood action and some love story. As usual the germans are idiots. the tiger tanks are makeshift look alike.
Thought the valkyrie story is true, as is that many nazi fled to south america, this story is just fiction to glorify the american army (and to a small extend the russians)
i only gave 6 stars for the actions. otherwise its idiocy is only beaten by the movie Fury (2014).
Thought the valkyrie story is true, as is that many nazi fled to south america, this story is just fiction to glorify the american army (and to a small extend the russians)
i only gave 6 stars for the actions. otherwise its idiocy is only beaten by the movie Fury (2014).
Terrible Movie
This movie is just awful; as horrible as it gets. It's 2020 and there are still directors, screen writers, and editors that allow these kind of movies to be shown. Apparently 4 guys 2 British & 2 Americans, killed with a smile and without a single scratch, more than 50 german SS soldiers. It was awful watching it. More than 50 german machine guns pointing and shooting at these 4 guys, and not a single scratch. The 4 guys point their guns, and all the Germans dead. Just an awful movie to watch. Please don't waste time with this complete nonsense. I literally cannot stand these kind of cowboy movies where literally the movie becomes a total nonsense.
Lots of Germans get killed
- jstorchan-48111
- Jun 20, 2017
- Permalink
Packing a complex but fascinating plot, this movie delivers that rare trinity of well balanced humour, solid acting, and gripping drama. Excellent.
In 1944, the Allies are racing each other to occupy Germany as Hitler's armies buckle under the relentless russian offensive. Believing the war is already as good as lost, a renegade faction of the Nazi party are planning to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Another mission of equal or greater importance was launched simultaneously by American and Russian commands, to capture the faction's key Nazi leader and bring him back alive. This leader is believed to be in posession of information that both superpowers want to secure at all costs. This information relates to not only the plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler, but also to the potential continuation of the Nazis party. This information would be of strategic importance to the post-war negotiations, and both sides want it, even though they are unsure of what it is exactly. This intriguing plot is well delivered under Claudio Fäh's Direction. The movie punches well above it's weight and most of the time, manages to look like it was produced with a much larger budget. The acting performances are excellent, and the occasional humour in some of the scenes is very well balanced, keeping the action bouncing along. Character development is very good, so we quickly know who the main characters are and where they are coming from. A worthy watch.
- jeromewillner
- Mar 11, 2021
- Permalink
Omfg!
- ainsdefcon
- Sep 26, 2016
- Permalink
3 stars
Like one reviewer said a solid B movie not quite realistic and gritty for instance like Saving Private Ryan, or Fury or Valkyrie with Tom cruise......but they put some budget in the German vehicles and uniforms and weapons, had Sizemore in a little bit, and Rutger Hauer for some names and Stephen Lang. Of course all the German Soldiers where easily killed and no commandos get killed except one Yankee at the end. ALl in all was interesting at the end they said they believe that 9,000 Nazi officers escaped to Argentina I find that hard to believe, but there is a big German community there this day. If you like a okay WW II action Film check it out. Some Documentaries say Hitler Lived there in south America maybe.
- ledzep692009
- Jul 9, 2017
- Permalink
Shooting lessons. Lecciones de tiro.
German soldiers are definitely in dire need of some good shooting lessons. They don't even hit the rainbow. Of course, the american and russian commandos do not need a single shooting lesson, shooting that they shoot, shooting that kills a German soldier. That, if it is that with a single shot they do not kill two German soldiers.
Definitivamente, los soldados alemanes necesitan urgentemente unas buenas lecciones de tiro. No le dan ni al arcoiris. Eso sí, los comandos americanos y rusos, no necesitan una sola lección de tiro, tiro que tiran, tiro que abate un soldado alemán. Eso, si es que con un sólo tiro no abaten a dos soldados alemanes.
Definitivamente, los soldados alemanes necesitan urgentemente unas buenas lecciones de tiro. No le dan ni al arcoiris. Eso sí, los comandos americanos y rusos, no necesitan una sola lección de tiro, tiro que tiran, tiro que abate un soldado alemán. Eso, si es que con un sólo tiro no abaten a dos soldados alemanes.
- GRANDESPELIS
- Aug 29, 2021
- Permalink
Dull and unenjoyably unrealistic
- Cineleyenda
- Jul 3, 2021
- Permalink
Dreadful usurping a a great hit movie for usual trash
Whe someone steals a name to make an el cheapo movie to hang on the back of a winner, it usually shows up as poor. this is no exception. Overlong, nice uniforms (inaccurate here and there) some special effects. Awful dont bother, just re-watch one of the many Stellar War movies (Patton,Fury,The Longest Day,Bridge too far,even Where Eagles Dare. All had proper actors, plot acting, not just an attempt at "pace". I score a generous 2 for budget on vehicles, uniforms effects etc.
- banjofred-414-79873
- Mar 13, 2018
- Permalink
Can't Believe It's Not Better
Was this a made for TV movie? Disappointing. Not very well done. Didn't seem to stick to script regarding "Valkyrie."
Hollywood still cannot get it right.
Pulling grenade pins with your teeth, no fragmentation from thrown grenades, incorrect weapons, nobody sweating during or after the heat of battle, nobody even breathing hard after a firefight, charging across an open field in mass during a firefight, incorrect insignia on some of the German uniforms, just to mention a few problems. This and a totally fictitious story that is totally unbelievable, with stereotypical characters i.e., for example, all the German officers are evil, all vehicles in perfect condition without a smudge of dirt or scratched paint, everything and I mean everything predictable. Overacting seems to be the norm in this movie. I feel really sad that Rudger Hauer has to associate himself with this movie but I guess a paycheck is a paycheck.
There's Good and Bad
The good thing about this one is that it's only 100 minutes long. The bad thing is, it's 100 minutes that you'll never get back. I suppose there are some redeeming features if you watch as just a mindless action flick, which is why I gave it three stars instead of one. I just get so annoyed with films produced by people who have no clue about how the military operates, much less about how it was in World War II. How hard is it to just find a veteran, not even a military film consultant? In the first 14 minutes and 55 seconds of this film, I had already submitted four factual errors and an anachronistic error. How can you have a US Army captain address a US Army master sergeant as a US Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant? Then, later on, a US Army major general addresses that same master sergeant as a different USMC rank (gunnery sergeant)!
There's also a guy who opens a switchblade with both hands.
Those are just a few examples of the dumb mistakes in this thing.
It just boggles the mind how ridiculously careless filmmakers are these days, and yeah, I get it; they're amateurs, or first time filmmakers, or looking for a tax write-off, or whatever, but do 30 minutes of research or ask a veteran... smh.
There's also a guy who opens a switchblade with both hands.
Those are just a few examples of the dumb mistakes in this thing.
It just boggles the mind how ridiculously careless filmmakers are these days, and yeah, I get it; they're amateurs, or first time filmmakers, or looking for a tax write-off, or whatever, but do 30 minutes of research or ask a veteran... smh.