Devil's Men was a wonderful film that depicts the difficulties faced by soldiers in World War 2. We see them in the anxious days before going to war as they prepare. We learn about them and their lives that were interrupted by the conflict. Then we see what it was like to be faced with the challenges of battle and the loss of lives. It was also nice to see a lovely romance and to hear such beautiful music to depict their love. And it was nice to see a war film that was not filled with vulgarities.
Without revealing the full story, it was a true account of a young farm boy from Wyoming, Sam Byrne played by Caleb Hafen, who was drafted into World War Two and then was selected into the First Special Service Force. We get to see the war from his point of view, which made it very personal and at times emotional. Knowing that everything on the screen was based on a true story made it rather compelling from start to finish. We got to experience the war as if we were right alongside him all the way through.
We saw this film at a film festival, so we learned it was a low-budget film made in Utah and Oklahoma. It didn't look low-budget at all. It had the look and feel of a multi-million-dollar production that looked, and sounded, every bit as good as anything coming out of Hollywood. The music was beautiful, and there was a love song in the film that was fabulous. I want to know where to get the soundtrack, I enjoyed it that much.
The acting performances were first class from all the major roles. These were wonderful performances that helped us feel their experiences and emotions. They made it real and made the story believable. It's no wonder that the film received the Audience Choice Award at the festival we attended. I believe it won awards at other festivals as well.
The battle scenes kept us on the edge of our seat and brought the reality of war to us. We especially liked the scenes about taking German prisoners rather than killing them. This showed that there was humanity during the war, even though we rarely hear of see anything of that side of the war.
This was the type of film that you don't mind bringing your kids to, especially because it helps them learn history and is not something you have to worry about what they might see or hear. There was plenty of drama, conflict, battle, and action to keep the boys interested, and a great romance to keep the girls watching all the way through. Each of them came home happy and said they enjoyed the film.
Speaking of romance (and I'm working hard not to give away the story itself), it was great to see a nice romance take place that eventually led to happily ever after. It wasn't that sticky sweet Halmark romance, but it was a real-world story that had it's challenges and then worked itself out. There was a song that was part of the dance scene that was really beautiful and set the story well. It was the kind of song that sounded like it was from the World War Two period but was newly written for the film (according to the credits). It was called "Hold Me" and was really a nice addition to the film. It was sung by Casey Elliott, and accomplished singer who also played a key role in the film, depicting the real-life soldier Ernest Chipchase.
The story was based on the letters sent home by Byrne. Throughout the film we see him writing and receiving letters, which makes this very personal. It's as if the audience become part of his family and are the ones receiving his letters. These letters were not an account of the war itself but were instead Byrne's reactions to the war. He letters helped us to see what it must have been like for the many soldiers who endured so much and then survived and had to live with difficult memories the rest of their lives. I couldn't help but think, now I know why my grandfathers (both) never spoke of their experiences in World War Two.
Without revealing the full story, it was a true account of a young farm boy from Wyoming, Sam Byrne played by Caleb Hafen, who was drafted into World War Two and then was selected into the First Special Service Force. We get to see the war from his point of view, which made it very personal and at times emotional. Knowing that everything on the screen was based on a true story made it rather compelling from start to finish. We got to experience the war as if we were right alongside him all the way through.
We saw this film at a film festival, so we learned it was a low-budget film made in Utah and Oklahoma. It didn't look low-budget at all. It had the look and feel of a multi-million-dollar production that looked, and sounded, every bit as good as anything coming out of Hollywood. The music was beautiful, and there was a love song in the film that was fabulous. I want to know where to get the soundtrack, I enjoyed it that much.
The acting performances were first class from all the major roles. These were wonderful performances that helped us feel their experiences and emotions. They made it real and made the story believable. It's no wonder that the film received the Audience Choice Award at the festival we attended. I believe it won awards at other festivals as well.
The battle scenes kept us on the edge of our seat and brought the reality of war to us. We especially liked the scenes about taking German prisoners rather than killing them. This showed that there was humanity during the war, even though we rarely hear of see anything of that side of the war.
This was the type of film that you don't mind bringing your kids to, especially because it helps them learn history and is not something you have to worry about what they might see or hear. There was plenty of drama, conflict, battle, and action to keep the boys interested, and a great romance to keep the girls watching all the way through. Each of them came home happy and said they enjoyed the film.
Speaking of romance (and I'm working hard not to give away the story itself), it was great to see a nice romance take place that eventually led to happily ever after. It wasn't that sticky sweet Halmark romance, but it was a real-world story that had it's challenges and then worked itself out. There was a song that was part of the dance scene that was really beautiful and set the story well. It was the kind of song that sounded like it was from the World War Two period but was newly written for the film (according to the credits). It was called "Hold Me" and was really a nice addition to the film. It was sung by Casey Elliott, and accomplished singer who also played a key role in the film, depicting the real-life soldier Ernest Chipchase.
The story was based on the letters sent home by Byrne. Throughout the film we see him writing and receiving letters, which makes this very personal. It's as if the audience become part of his family and are the ones receiving his letters. These letters were not an account of the war itself but were instead Byrne's reactions to the war. He letters helped us to see what it must have been like for the many soldiers who endured so much and then survived and had to live with difficult memories the rest of their lives. I couldn't help but think, now I know why my grandfathers (both) never spoke of their experiences in World War Two.