A Midnight Clear
"Two Thumbs Up"- Siskel & Ebert
A Midnight Clear ranks with Black Hawk Down for its stunning emotional impact.
Set during December 1944, it is the story of a small army intelligence platoon sent on a dangerous mission to the German front. Constant fear and unremitting tension build as the greenhorn recruits search out the enemy. But when they finally discover a Nazi camp, they find a small band of frightened soldiers not unlike themselves. A tentative truce is forged as the two platoons overcome their fear to celebrate Christmas together. But soon the tides of war change, and their separate peace explodes into horrifying violence.
Intense, suspenseful and mesmerizing, A Midnight Clear is both a shattering indictment of war and a searing testament to courage. Academy Award® nominees Ethan Hawke (Training Day) and Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump) lead a superb ensemble cast.
Member Reviews
Mixed feelings - CynCanada
I thought this was one of the greatest war movies I had seen - right up to the climax when the rug was pulled out from under me. I am not saying that I would change the ending - it is what it is ... but how very disheartening that the dark side of human nature was able to completely annihilate something so spectacular. It is an excellent study in the sociology of humanness but I am not sure I would recommend it to a viewer (like me) who prefers feel-good movies to actually make you feel good at the end.War is almost hell but - Stitch
The premise is a common one..war is hell, orders from above are self-serving or ill-advised or both, and good men try to preserve their humanity. Unfortunately this approach to the complexity of war in all its aspects may sell well but it didn't give much scope to expand some very solid performances. To give due respect, FO's (Forward Observers) experience extremely high casualty rates so the stress level in the unit is not exaggerated.
I felt the physicality of the characters and environment seemed a little too antiseptic to support the case being made for hopelessness. Some of it reminded me of great powder days (it was filmed in Utah). This was particularly true of the German soldiers...a few smudges do not a despairing Eastern Front survivor make.
Having said that and laboring under a pretty weak plot line, it is still a decent escapist movie. One never feels too badly about the plan gone awry because we don't get close enough to identify with any of the victims. And without an extended focus on one or two characters (Mother was too pathetic to garner much sympathy), we can still grab a taxi acknowledging war may be hell but heck, some of us will still make it home to sell aluminum siding in Yazoo City.
The photography provides a fine backdrop for a documentary on the outdoor life. And the mechanistic aspects are certainly credible to a Canadian audience...once the boss commandeers the chains, you just know the guys should pack more shovels and sand.
Joyeux Noel explores a similar theme and circumstance from World War I...similarly gussied up and similarly unrealistic. But also good for a sentimental outing.Acteurs tres bon - Tits
Dans ce film ce qu'on le retient le plus c'est la performance des acteurs dont surtout gary sinise et ethan hawke. Solide performances de ces acteurs. Quoi que un peu vieux comme film, le scénario illustre bien comment les temps pouvaient être en fin de guerre. Bon film pour voir comment des hommes peuvent vouloir aider leurs ennemies.
Pour ceux qui aiment vraiment les films de ce genre
Member Reviews
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Mixed feelings - CynCanada
I thought this was one of the greatest war movies I had seen - right up to the climax when the rug was pulled out from under me. I am not saying that I would change the ending - it is what it is ... but how very disheartening that the dark side of human nature ...War is almost hell but - Stitch
The premise is a common one..war is hell, orders from above are self-serving or ill-advised or both, and good men try to preserve their humanity. Unfortunately this approach to the complexity of war in all its aspects may sell well but it didn't give much ...Acteurs tres bon - Tits
Dans ce film ce qu'on le retient le plus c'est la performance des acteurs dont surtout gary sinise et ethan hawke. Solide performances de ces acteurs. Quoi que un peu vieux comme film, le scénario illustre bien comment les temps pouvaient être en fin de ...