Friday, August 1, 2014

DVD Review: Saints and Soldiers; The Void in Theaters August 15!!


In anticipation for the release of Saints and Soldiers: The Void, I received copies of the first two movies to watch and review. Last night, I also attended a pre-screening for The Void. Here's some more information on that movie:


Germany, May 1945, the twilight of WWII. On a final mission deep in the Harz mountains a U.S. tank crew discovers a platoon of Germans, including three infamous Panzer tanks, preparing to ambush allied supply trucks.

Before the war, private Jesse Owens, was a product of segregation and racial discrimination. Forced by law to ride in the back of the bus and disenfranchised from the political process. Now, Owens fights the greatest tyrant in history, knowing the tyranny of racism will be waiting for him back home if he can survive the war.

With a deadly game of cat and mouse quickly unfolding, Owens and his predominantly white tank crew find themselves out-gunned and out-manned by the German Panzer tanks. Several in Owens’ crew are reluctant to put their faith in a black tank driver despite their dire circumstances. As the German tanks bear down on his unit, Owens has to fight for freedom on two fronts. With tension and fear beginning to manifest Owens knows they must put aside their differences to stop the enemy from their deadly plan. Knowing that a victory over the Nazis means a victory for racial justice, Owens and his men find a way to work together to save hundreds of lives in a desperate battle against the greatest odds they have ever faced.


This is my favorite of all three movies! This is a stand alone movie so you don't need to watch the first two in order to understand this one. The themes from the other movies are also in this one, as well as showing what racism in the military looked like during that time. 

It was great to attend the pre-screening and listen to the short Q&A afterwards. It was interesting to learn that the characters are based on real veterans and, while this isn't based on one actual event, their stories come together to form the story told in this movie (I believe that's the case for all the movies). They don't currently have plans for a fourth movie but haven't closed the door on it, either. The cast and crew are amazing and this is a must see movie!! (Be sure to go August 15 and/or 16.)




Saints and Soldiers, DVD, 2005
90 minutes, PG-13
My Rating=5 Stars

Based on actual WWII events, Saints and Soldiers tells the dramatic story of a small band of Allied soldiers trapped behind enemy lines with information that could save thousands of American lives. Outgunned and ill-equipped, they must battle the frigid wilderness and roving German troops to smuggle critical intelligence back to Allied territory.


This is the first movie that was made and I loved it! There is some violence since it's about war, but I didn't feel that any of it was unnecessary. I love how they showed that, even during war, people on opposite sides can get along and help each other.

I loved the main character, whose nickname was Deacon because he reads his Bible and doesn't smoke or drink. He was so young yet he was a great soldier. There's a lot of interaction between the characters as they get to know each other and figure out who they can trust. There's some sadness in it, too, since war is involved. I will warn you to have your tissues ready as you watch. It's a little slow at times but is a movie I will definitely watch again!



Saints and Soldiers: Airborne Creed
DVD, 2012, 94 minutes, PG-13
My Rating=5 Stars

From the producers of the world-renowned hit film Saints and Soldiers and based on actual events, Saints and Soldiers: Airborne Creed tells the action-packed story of three World War II U.S. Army paratroopers--Rossi (Corbin Allred), Jones (David Nibley), and Curtis (Jasen Wade)--fighting desperately to fulfill their mission against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Cut off behind enemy lines after parachuting into Southern France during Operation Dragoon, their commitment to the Airborne Creed urges them forward--and proves that a few good men can change a war.


This is another fantastic movie!! I wasn't sure if these movies were made to be seen in order and can assure you that they are stand alone movies with different characters and storylines in each one, so you can see them in any order at any time.

I was a bit confused at the beginning and wasn't sure where one particular storyline was going but it came back around and was resolved. I felt a lot of the same emotions as I did with the first movie--hope that there is humanity in war, sadness for those who died and left loved ones at home (again, have tissues ready), and gratitude for those men willing to fight for us to remain free.

There is a French girl in this movie and it was nice to have a female presence and see how the men reacted to her. I loved the interaction between the soldiers and enjoyed learning a little bit about each of them. There are so many stories out there and it's great watching some of them on the big screen! For war movies, there is little profanity and the violence and gore are kept to what's necessary to tell the stories effectively. This is a series I will watch over and over in the years to come!

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