It may not be fair, but I judge it against big budget movies. This movie obviously didn't have a big budget, but it is a solid effort, for what it is.
I love WW2 movies, and I think this is great that a movie was finally made about a military operation back here in the US, namely a POW camp.
I wish this movie was done as a streamable mini-series of half hour episodes than a movie. The movie was too long, and there were too many different plot lines. It either needed to cut some story lines and shorten the movie, or, expand them, and make some episodes and get more in depth.
The mad/crazy drunk guy, was that Shooter from Hoosiers? Chop.
Generally I am not a fan of CGI in movies, but what was used in this movie actually worked really well. It was sub-par CGI, but it was used for the boy's dream sequence to a good effect.
The acting in the movie was hit and miss. Taylor Nichols as the Chaplain did a great job, and totally believable as a WW2 back home in America based chaplain. B. Rader did a great job as Eduard as well. Terrence Knox is still top notch. Not a big role in this movie, but that guy makes any movie/show better.
Many of the others seemed weekend dinner-theatre level, but for the budget I'm sure they had to work with, it is what it is.
The part written for the wife was well done. I don't know if I've had a character in a movie recently that honked me off more than her. I'm watching the movie, and thinking, "That f-in witch!"
The plot of the boy at the end was a bit much for me. It was done with a 2020s lens. I think a what, (12-14 year old farm boy in the 1940s?) would be quite capable to go missing and fend for himself. Even in the 1970s, my parents wouldn't have arranged a search party for a town kid such as myself until at least midnight. 'He'll come home when he is hungry."
Knowing the story of Algona and the camps, I thought the ending was very well done, and quite satisfying.
I endorse the movie, especially if you are from a small midwestern town like me. Not a lot of movies about our world. Grab some popcorn and a Sprite and have a night at the movies.
