Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The Monuments Men Movie Is Worth Watching

By Jaclyn Hurley


Going to the theater to see the latest releases is a great evening out. Many people are looking for something that offers them a little food for thought, rather than just a banal comedy or the latest special effects phenomenon. Those who like to watch movies with a great background story and well shot historical scenes will love The Monuments Men movie.

Set in 1943, at the height of the second world war, the story is based on historical facts. All the names have been changed but the viewer is still watching the lives of real people as they lived and died in a quest to track down some of the greatest works of art in history.

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.

The race to save the art works became even more intense when the allies realized that Hitler had issued a Nero Decree, stating that in the event of his death or if Germany were to fall, all the gathered treasures were to be destroyed. At the same time the Soviet Union is also in the hunt for treasure as a means of war reparations for the damaged caused to them by Germany.

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.

Among the popular faces are George Clooney, who also directed the film. This really was a labor of love for him as he also co wrote and produced it in partnership with Grant Heslov. It was made by the ever popular Columbia Pictures and 20th Century Fox studios and released on February 7 after premiering at the Berlin Film Festival.

The screen play was developed from Robert M. Edsel's excellent book that told the true story of the real treasure hunters during the war. It is the perfect opportunity for viewers to learn about one of the forgotten aspects of war. It also does a good job of showing the fate of many Jewish people at the hands of the brutal Nazi regime.




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