Regarding Saints and Soldiers

Four American soldiers survive a Nazi massacre of POWs. They're a rather strange bunch: a firm but loyal sergeant, a religious man struggling with his demons, a medic who doesn't believe in God, and a southern man who has more enthusiasm than brains. On the run, they come across an RAF pilot dangling from a tree. He is in possession of vital information about the Battle of the Bulge that must be got to an allied command post. The four soldiers agree to help him - whatever the cost.

This is the first war movie made within the last sixty years that I have seen. I rarely watch movies from the seventies or eighties (or even the sixties), and anything made in the last fifteen years is probably too violent (and/or politically motivated) for my taste. But Saints and Soldiers wasn't made to linger on the horrors of war or to push an agenda - rather, it focuses on the heroism of men, and one man in particular, who are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to win a war.

While the short summary I read looked promising, I must admit I had low expectations of quality going into this movie. After all, it was made in 2003, but I had never heard of it before. Translation: It didn't make a huge splash when it first came out. But I was very pleasantly surprised.

The dialogue was well written, without many cliches or clunky lines. The acting was pretty good, although the accents leave something to be desired. The southerner's accent was only slightly cringe-inducing (I got used to it after a while), but the British guy's accent really got on my nerves. Perhaps this was because I've seen hour upon hour of British movies with real British people and have consequently become hyper sensitive to this sort of thing, but I must say I wish they had picked someone who really is British.

Another issue I feel I must address is the fact that Saints and Soldiers was made by a Mormon, and at least one of the actors is Mormon as well. This might be more of a stumbling block if Mormonism permeated the whole film, but not only did the few references escape my notice (e.g. the religious man is from a town densely populated by Mormons and doesn't drink or smoke), a Catholic supply company I trust has the film for sale. (Although I must say I thought it was strange when the religious man said he had been on a "mission" trip to Germany.)

In the end, Saints and Soldiers is about heroicism, sacrifice, and even redemption in a time of war. Add in the fact that it feels like a good, old war movie in that it has a simple story line and not a great deal of violence or blood, and the end product is an enjoyable - and rather touching - ninety minutes.
My Rating: T (violence, mild language)

In Relation To I Confess

A man comes to Fr. Logan (Montgomery Clift) and confesses to a murder. When the police begin to investigate, Fr. Logan faithfully upholds the seal of the confessional and says nothing. But as circumstantial evidence begins to cast suspicion on Fr. Logan, the real killer becomes nervous. Will the priest take the fall to protect the murderer, or will Fr. Logan become frightened enough to confess what he heard?

They just don't make movies like this any more. Granted, it's a little over dramatic in parts - nearly all Alfred Hitchcock movies are. But the rest of the movie - and the rich Christian symbolism in particular - is well worth the one or two eye-rolling moments.

The passion and death of Jesus is a motif throughout I Confess. When he is accused of the murder, Fr. Logan must choose between clearing his name and obeying Jesus, who once said "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23b). As he is wrestling with what to do, he passes crucifixes and statues of Jesus on the road to Calvary. There is also a prominent crucifix in the court room. These images, often either prominent or even in the foreground of camera shots, compare Fr. Logan's suffering with that of Jesus, who also suffered for other people's sins.

Ultimately, my favorite thing about this movie is the portrayal of a strong Catholic priest. After the horrible scandal that has surfaced in the last few years, it's refreshing to watch a movie about a priest who actually tries to live up to his vocation - being a shepherd to God's people.

My Rating: T (thematic elements, some violence)