Silent Night in Algona

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 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.

In so many cases such as this, labeling a production a "family movie" is code for "very cheaply done." This movie is no exception. On family-friendly streaming sites, you can find hundreds of these kind of micro-budget movies. The only wonder about Silent Night is why, when it is blatantly and painfully obvious, that you don't have much in the way of money, would you decide to do a historical drama? Why would the producers purposely highlight their key weakness? And judging by other reviews I see here, that weakness is crystal clear to anyone who isn't somehow tied to the movie. (Just match up the review names with the individuals listed in the production.)

I love when forgotten true stories are brought to the screen! Tony Hornus does an outstanding job of directing DJ Perry's inspirational script. There are great performances throughout- especially the ones done in German with English subtitles which doesn't always play out well. Great great film that you can take the whole family to! The musical score compliments every scene and adds so much to what you are experiencing- the director of photography does a brilliant job of capturing the actors in a classic old Hollywood manner/ you feel like you are watching a Bogart and Bacall film in many scenes.

It may not be fair, but I judge it against big budget movies. This movie obviously didn't have a big budget, but it is a solid effort, for what it is.

I love WW2 movies, and I think this is great that a movie was finally made about a military operation back here in the US, namely a POW camp.

I wish this movie was done as a streamable mini-series of half hour episodes than a movie. The movie was too long, and there were too many different plot lines. It either needed to cut some story lines and shorten the movie, or, expand them, and make some episodes and get more in depth.

The mad/crazy drunk guy, was that Shooter from Hoosiers? Chop.

Generally I am not a fan of CGI in movies, but what was used in this movie actually worked really well. It was sub-par CGI, but it was used for the boy's dream sequence to a good effect.

The acting in the movie was hit and miss. Taylor Nichols as the Chaplain did a great job, and totally believable as a WW2 back home in America based chaplain. B. Rader did a great job as Eduard as well. Terrence Knox is still top notch. Not a big role in this movie, but that guy makes any movie/show better.

Many of the others seemed weekend dinner-theatre level, but for the budget I'm sure they had to work with, it is what it is.

The part written for the wife was well done. I don't know if I've had a character in a movie recently that honked me off more than her. I'm watching the movie, and thinking, "That f-in witch!"

The plot of the boy at the end was a bit much for me. It was done with a 2020s lens. I think a what, (12-14 year old farm boy in the 1940s?) would be quite capable to go missing and fend for himself. Even in the 1970s, my parents wouldn't have arranged a search party for a town kid such as myself until at least midnight. 'He'll come home when he is hungry."

Knowing the story of Algona and the camps, I thought the ending was very well done, and quite satisfying.

I endorse the movie, especially if you are from a small midwestern town like me. Not a lot of movies about our world. Grab some popcorn and a Sprite and have a night at the movies.