Silent Night in Algona

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 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-

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.

While the premise of this movie is interesting it is however squandered by a much too long run time, too many characters, questionable special effects, a unlikeable lead character followed by some less then acceptable performances.

If anything, this could have been a really good episode of Rod Serling's the Twilight Zone. It would have benefitted from a shorter run time, tighter scope and a focus on the interpersonal relationships of the prisoners and townspeople following in the footsteps of Serling's writings.

We did not get that unfortunately. This movie was trying too hard to do it all and it didn't need to be. I left the theater thinking what could have been, it had potential.

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.