Silent Night in Algona

What a great story that was shared here and how it was back in Algona, Iowa during that time. This movie was absolutely terrific. The way the movie was produced I felt as if I was sitting next to the characters in the movie. The wide vary emotions of the different scenes took control and I was riveted trying to help those guys out. I loved the compassion and empathy that the LTC had for the German prisoners. I could connect with that feeling that he had hoping that our boys on the other side were being treated as well as they were treated here in the states. What a great example of leadership that he displayed for his men on how to treat the POWs correctly, including the the despicable Captain from the Provost Marshall office who needed it desperately.

I rented and have now purchased the movie. Definitely don't miss out on the history of WWII here in our country.

In a world where film 'ratings' often are based on the bizarre or the wicked, comes a true story where genuine humanity and relationships prevail during a dark and difficult time in our nation's history.

Discover the 'little known' story of a small rural Iowa town where a World War II prison camp housed thousands of young soldiers, far from their German homeland. Meet the families from the community who are suffering economically and without their own soldier men and sons available to support their farming and harvest operations.

And experience the relationships that are forged when 'enemies' are thrown together to help one another through difficult times.

Relationships from that time have endured generations. The amazing half-life size Nativity Scene (gift from the prisoners) is still viewed by thousands each year. See the film, visit the community, and immerse yourself in a heart-warming depiction of a historic tale that the news headlines did not cover.

My son and I really enjoyed this movie and even though it is rather long, I stayed interested all the way through the end. I felt like it was a good movie with a history lesson as well. My sister lives near Algona and I live about 3 hours away. I was completely unaware there was a POW camp there. I plan on visiting Algona this summer to learn more about the history of this POW camp. It has peaked my interest to learn more about other POW camps in the midwest as well. I think it's important to learn about history and I plan to involve my grandchildren in learning more about this particular story.

Silent Night in Algona is another story of the many untold in cinema from the World War 2 years. A (true ) story told in much use of the beautiful Iowa landscape.

A tumble weed of drama about a family and it's farm looking to enlist German POWs to tend to it's much needed labor. An assortment of characters with colorful personalities, some butt heads and others cheer with one another in a time of hardship and thanks.

The story is told with much clarity, I didn't find myself confused at any point.

Acting was generally good. The leads and strong supporting cast set the bar where as the day player actors often looked blank -- void of emotion and seemed as if waiting their turn to regurgitate scripted dialogue. Carl Dillard whom played William, though, was quite an exceptional performance. I very much enjoyed his character portrayal. Some other actors tried to milk moments that didn't need to be milked, some were too flashy and overboard, and some were down right annoying and unpleasant. But overall the mixed bag made it work for me. DJ Perry is another actor you really couldn't go wrong with.

I thought it was a genuine and interesting true story that I didn't know about. Being the grandson of a grandfather that faught with Patton's army in the war and annually examining his loot and written letters during the war has always had me looking for untold stories of that time so that they could be peiced together to complete the puzzle.

In 1944, Camp Algona is established, which would end up housing around 10,000 Axis prisoners. Work programs for inmates supplemented the depleted workforce in America, such as the local Hormel factory, and included harvesting crops, such as at the Tietz farm. Meanwhile the Germans are working on a secret project that is unveiled to the populace at Christmas.

"Silent Night in Algona" (2022) works as a lowkey drama about one of over 400 such camps in America. Don't expect explosions or over-the-top thrills. The 'action' is the believable tensions of the time period and situation. Everything wraps up for an effective close and relevant details, but you have to be in the mood for a period drama to appreciate it.

Brunette beauty Christina Loeffler is notable in a small role on the feminine front.

It runs 2 hours, 18 minutes, and was shot in north-central Iowa in Whittemore, which is just west of Algona, and Forest City, which is northeast of there. Algona is 135 miles north of Des Moines, 175 miles southwest of Minneapolis and 275 miles northwest of Davenport.

GRADE: B/B-