movie Review: Miracle At St. Anna

Style and substance go hand in hand in any Spike Lee joint movie. Only this time we have a terrific story told in a wondrous flashback style. War is hell and our story examines the “brotherhood” of a group of black soldiers out to protect the American way during the second war. On a campaign in Italy four brave souls of this “crack” platoon encounter all sorts of hostilities during the effort. Signs of trouble and mixed signals concerning the “racial” issue go hand in hand, not only when our fighters go up against the fanatical Nazi regime but also when they must stand up for their rights back home.

Human struggle and tragedy resonate loudly in this movie. We see how the efforts of all these brave men get tested to the limit when not only does this breakaway group get sealed off behind enemy lines but they also must contend with traitors and soldiers of fortune among their midst.

Help, however, comes to the men in the most unusual manner. Both religious relics and children come into play big time here as a gentle giant named First Class Private Sam Train takes a shining to a young boy named Arturo who will steal your hearts away. As if that wasn’t enough to weigh our soldier down somehow he winds up with a statue that will play a pivotal part in this unforgettable journey.

Great shots of warfare are handled with considerable tact here. Beautiful cinematography of the battle field meshes well with outstanding character development that lets us into the moral fiber of the principal combatants. War films in the past have been hit or miss affairs. Here our Mr.