The Monuments Men movie is set during World War Two. It has an all star cast headed by George Clooney. Clooney also directed the film and co wrote and produced it with Grant Heslov. It it certainly not the typical war production that focuses on action, guns and battles. Instead this thoughtful story tackles a topic that is hugely important but gets very little publicity.
In addition to Clooney, other big name stars include Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and Hugh Bonneville. They all do an outstanding job of making this film very memorable. It manages to hit the right note considering the nature of the topic, yet never taking itself too seriously. In addition, the locations and sets are perfect. They really capture the feel of Europe in 1943 when the war was at its peak.
During the Nazi occupation of many European countries many officers began to take art treasures. This included priceless paintings, sculptures and much more. By 1943 it was widely known that on Hitler's orders massive number of valuable treasures had been taken. Some were heading for the Fuhrer's own collection, others to his planned museum in Linz and others to the private collections of his officers including the head of the Luftwaffe Hermann Goering.
The allies realized the looting was taking place early on and began to form a team to find the missing works. By 1943 they knew that the race was on to find and return as many of the treasures as possible before they disappeared or destroyed for ever. The Russian army was also trying to grab as much treasure as possible as they advanced further into Europe.
It quickly becomes clear that the extent of the problem is far greater that they had imagined. Not only is it becoming clear to everyone that the allies will most likely win the war, the Russian army is advancing across eastern Europe. The Russians are also on the trail of lost art works, but they have no intentions of returning them. Instead, they consider anything they can find the spoils of war and are quickly shipping it back east.
Despite its attempts at humor the film does an outstanding job of highlighting one of the forgotten aspects of war. The collateral damage suffered by nations and their innocent people. There are frequent reminders of the absolute devastation suffered by much of Europe at this time and the enormous scale of human suffering.
One particularly poignant scene is when the team find a cache of hidden art treasures, that also contains a bag of gold fillings extracted from the mouths of concentration camp victims. It emphasises to the shocked viewer that people were reduced to the status of objects and even after death their bodies were desecrated.
Overall the movie achieves its goal of educating the public about one of the forgotten aspects of war. It also touches on topics such as the treatment of Jews at the hands of the Nazi's when the men find bags of gold fillings along with works of art. It moves along nicely and has enough humor to keep audiences entertained.
In addition to Clooney, other big name stars include Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and Hugh Bonneville. They all do an outstanding job of making this film very memorable. It manages to hit the right note considering the nature of the topic, yet never taking itself too seriously. In addition, the locations and sets are perfect. They really capture the feel of Europe in 1943 when the war was at its peak.
During the Nazi occupation of many European countries many officers began to take art treasures. This included priceless paintings, sculptures and much more. By 1943 it was widely known that on Hitler's orders massive number of valuable treasures had been taken. Some were heading for the Fuhrer's own collection, others to his planned museum in Linz and others to the private collections of his officers including the head of the Luftwaffe Hermann Goering.
The allies realized the looting was taking place early on and began to form a team to find the missing works. By 1943 they knew that the race was on to find and return as many of the treasures as possible before they disappeared or destroyed for ever. The Russian army was also trying to grab as much treasure as possible as they advanced further into Europe.
It quickly becomes clear that the extent of the problem is far greater that they had imagined. Not only is it becoming clear to everyone that the allies will most likely win the war, the Russian army is advancing across eastern Europe. The Russians are also on the trail of lost art works, but they have no intentions of returning them. Instead, they consider anything they can find the spoils of war and are quickly shipping it back east.
Despite its attempts at humor the film does an outstanding job of highlighting one of the forgotten aspects of war. The collateral damage suffered by nations and their innocent people. There are frequent reminders of the absolute devastation suffered by much of Europe at this time and the enormous scale of human suffering.
One particularly poignant scene is when the team find a cache of hidden art treasures, that also contains a bag of gold fillings extracted from the mouths of concentration camp victims. It emphasises to the shocked viewer that people were reduced to the status of objects and even after death their bodies were desecrated.
Overall the movie achieves its goal of educating the public about one of the forgotten aspects of war. It also touches on topics such as the treatment of Jews at the hands of the Nazi's when the men find bags of gold fillings along with works of art. It moves along nicely and has enough humor to keep audiences entertained.
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