It's 1945 in a small German town. Seven young innocent boys still buy into the propaganda even as the Americans are closing in. They are recruited into the Army and after one day of training, they are sent to guard the local bridge. A veteran leads the group who plans to protect the boys by blowing up the bridge. He is mistaken for a deserter and shot to death. The boys, with no other orders, decide to defend the bridge against the overwhelming American forces.
The first half deals with the boys in an idyllic town during the last days of the Nazi regime. It's not that thrilling. There are a few compelling scenes but it moves too slowly overall. The young actors don't distinguish themselves out of the pack. I like some of the scenes with them together but the first half could be condensed. The second half has more of the action. It's sometimes shoot in a melodramatic fashion but it is a compelling story.
The first half deals with the boys in an idyllic town during the last days of the Nazi regime. It's not that thrilling. There are a few compelling scenes but it moves too slowly overall. The young actors don't distinguish themselves out of the pack. I like some of the scenes with them together but the first half could be condensed. The second half has more of the action. It's sometimes shoot in a melodramatic fashion but it is a compelling story.