The important lesson of the Holocaust is the focus of this film and a subject not to be forgotten or society will fall to the old adage of history repeating itself. The story centers on one Dutch family's experience with the Nazi takeover, with a few of the children escaping and eventually smuggled out by resistance members. That is the reason I spent money to rent this movie.
While the subject is without question very important, the Ethos group that put this to the public should be ashamed. I can tolerate inexperienced actors because of the low budget, but the writing was one dimensional in its focus on just this one family Ten Boom and the children's escape. It would not have taken much to impart needed story depth but you cannot get that when you have writers that have the competence of a middle school drama class.
Next, the truly ridiculous vehicles used in this film just kill credibility. Yes, it is more expensive to use period correct vehicles, but they might as well have them driving Tesla's and written it off as a "green" compromise. The resistance smuggle the one girl in a 1957 Ford Station wagon with Cragar Mag Wheels, hardly available in WWII Holland. Adding the this openly absurd vehicle is having Nazi's chase them in a 48 Oldsmobile sedan.
Next, the girl and another smuggled child Josh, the latter who pops up after the girl collapses with exhaustion after being chased through the woods (of South Carolina!) meet up with three American resistance fighters dressed as if they were gentlemanly Black Forest hunters. They all proceed to drive off in a 49 Willys Jeepster.
Okay so why did I give this a 7? Only because the topic is so important and continues to be embattled by soulless people. The amateur execution of this project is, however, unforgivable.
While the subject is without question very important, the Ethos group that put this to the public should be ashamed. I can tolerate inexperienced actors because of the low budget, but the writing was one dimensional in its focus on just this one family Ten Boom and the children's escape. It would not have taken much to impart needed story depth but you cannot get that when you have writers that have the competence of a middle school drama class.
Next, the truly ridiculous vehicles used in this film just kill credibility. Yes, it is more expensive to use period correct vehicles, but they might as well have them driving Tesla's and written it off as a "green" compromise. The resistance smuggle the one girl in a 1957 Ford Station wagon with Cragar Mag Wheels, hardly available in WWII Holland. Adding the this openly absurd vehicle is having Nazi's chase them in a 48 Oldsmobile sedan.
Next, the girl and another smuggled child Josh, the latter who pops up after the girl collapses with exhaustion after being chased through the woods (of South Carolina!) meet up with three American resistance fighters dressed as if they were gentlemanly Black Forest hunters. They all proceed to drive off in a 49 Willys Jeepster.
Okay so why did I give this a 7? Only because the topic is so important and continues to be embattled by soulless people. The amateur execution of this project is, however, unforgivable.