Silent Night in Algona

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.)

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.

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 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-

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.