In 1943, World War II is in full swing in
Europe as the Allied armies are forcing the Axis powers to retreat further
towards Germany. However, precious artistic works of mankind are being
destroyed in the midst of heavy fire. A single Lieutenant devises a plan to
create a small band men to go in and rescue works of art before the Nazis can
steal them.
The Monuments Men boasts a huge cast, including several
famous names. The film stars stars George Clooney (as Lt. Frank Stokes), Matt
Damon (as Lt. James Granger), John Goodman (as Sgt. Walter Garfield), Bill
Murray (as Sgt. Richard Campbell), Hugh Bonneville (as Lt. Donald Jeffries)
Jean Dujardin (as Lt. Jean-Claude Clermont), Bob Balaban (Pvt. Preston Savitz),
and Cate Blanchett (as Claire Simone).
SUMMARY
America has been in World War II for just under a
year now and the Allies are finally driving the Germans back into their own
territory. But Lieutenant Frank Stokes tells the President that victory will
not mean as much if precious works of art are destroyed in the war, whether by
weapons or thieves.
Stokes is given permission to create a new group of
seven man named the "Monuments Men." These men are historians, art
experts, and museum curators, not specially trained soldiers. Yet they are
given command and head to Europe to lead the hunt for artwork stolen by Nazis.
Unfortunately, the officers of the U.S. Army refuse
to change their battle strategies for the sake of protecting art. The Monuments
Men split up to cover better ground: Stokes sticks with the U.S. Army; Lt.
Jeffries leads a rescue mission for a Belgian cathedral; Lt. Granger seeks out
French art historian Claire Simone; Sgt. Campbell and Private Savitz hunt down a
Van Eyck altarpiece; and Sgt. Garfield and Lt. Clermont go off in search of
other pieces of art.
Eventually, the team gets back together, minus a few
men lost in combat. They begin locating secret hordes of art within castles,
mines, and other places. However, time is running out as they learn that the
Nazis are blowing up their stolen art collections. To make matters worse, the
Russians are also attempting to steal as much artwork as they can.
In the climax of the movie, the team must enter a
mine and rescue as much artwork as possible before the Russians get
there.
CONTENT
As this is a war film, there is a good amount of
violent content. Two main characters die: one is shot, and we see blood
staining his uniform; the other is shot and died a little while later, with
some blood in the scene. There are many other wounds sustained in the film,
some containing blood. Also, while not depicted, the Holocaust is mentioned. A
man mentions that his grandfather was sent to a concentration camp, and a Nazi officer
says he should be thanked for his work in the Holocaust. In connection with
this, a barrel full of gold teeth is found.
The inappropriate language in the film is moderately
heavy, including seven uses of s***, as well as several uses of d***, God's
name, and h***. Christ's name is also used around a half-dozen times.
In Paris, Claire Simone attempts to lure Granger into
an adulterous relationship against his wife. But, in a good moral twist,
Granger resists, yet still continues historical research with her. Besides
this, there are some nude sculptures as well as nudity in artwork, but none of
these artworks are focused on in particular.
Also, there is some smoking throughout the film, as
well as some brief scenes including alcohol.
Aside from some foul language, The Monuments
Men is an enjoyable movie, I think. There is plenty of action and
drama, but also some spattering of comedy (mostly from Bill Murray). The movie
is not likely for everyone, but I believe most might enjoy it.
The acting was superb, especially with the
performances of George Clooney, Hugh Bonneville, and Cate Blanchett. Also, the
musical score by Alexandre Desplat was really great and fit perfectly with the
film.
Those who have read the historical book upon which
the movie is based will notice the change in names and even the number of the
Monuments Men. I am not entirely sure why certain things such as names were
altered, but it could have something to do with the descendants of the real
soldiers involved.
There are some good points made about the importance
of art to civilization. Our international history is vital to our future, I
believe, and The Monuments Men displays this. Yet there is still
some argument in the film of whether the art is worth human lives.
The Monuments Men is certainly not for
the whole family, but some pre-teens might possibly enjoy parts of it.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 118 minutes
Rating: PG-13 (for some images of war violence and historical
smoking)
Director: George Clooney
Producers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov
Music: Alexandre Desplat
Year of release: 2014
Primary audience: Teens, adults
Primary audience: Teens, adults
