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A Midnight Clear

Play trailer Poster for A Midnight Clear R 1992 1h 47m War History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In the winter of 1944, American soldiers led by Will Knott (Ethan Hawke) are assigned to capture a small squad of German soldiers posted in France's Ardennes forest. Tired of war, the Americans have already lost half their division and discover that their German enemy is equally unwilling to fight. With Jewish soldier Stan Shutzer (Arye Gross) interpreting, the Germans and Americans agree on a plan that will let the former surrender without violence -- but then, tragedy strikes.
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A Midnight Clear

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Critics Consensus

Beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted, A Midnight Clear is a holiday war film in search of a wider audience.

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Critics Reviews

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Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune The sentiments aren`t fresh, but the skill of the writing and a superior ensemble American cast makes the drama memorable. Rated: 3/4 Nov 30, 2015 Full Review Michael Upchurch Seattle Times A Midnight Clear doesn't do as much as it might with its characters. But as a parable of human folly and fragile hope, it has considerable impact. Rated: 3/4 Dec 4, 2013 Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel [Gordon] clearly relishes the story's many ironies, and he's often successful at sharing his enjoyment of them with us. Rated: 3/5 Dec 4, 2013 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews A Midnight Clear is powerful without being overbearing. Rated: 3/4 Dec 28, 2018 Full Review Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant He infuses A Midnight Clear with a slightly skewed, surreal quality. About the only defect in Gordon's second feature is its tendency to drag in the middle. Jun 8, 2018 Full Review Joe Pollack Tulsa World A Midnight Clear is a beautifully written, directed and acted movie, but it is so gut-wrenching, so taut, that it is more catharsis than entertainment. Rated: 3/4 Nov 30, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bob B If I could have rated this 5 * I would have (instead of 4.5). Well acted. Well written. Excellent plot developed well. Exceeded my expectations. The only nit: "Mother", played well by Gary Senise, should have been described in the narration as older, closer Gary Senise's actual age at the time. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/30/24 Full Review Chicha Z There has got to be millions of war stories we will Never hear. This movie is so good. Acting, and casting is great. Just tears me up though when trying to help the German army guys. Really touches you on how we become humans again even in war time.... It's not the soldiers who hate or want to fight... It's the men in goverment.... need a movie where if the goverments want war... Let them go fight and stop sending our sons, uncles, fathers, friends..,. I bet there wouldn't be anymore war. Good movie Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/23 Full Review Janet this is based on a fictional novel. the author says that it is based on his experience in the army in world war II but apparently it was all secretive and so therefore no one admitted to it being true other than him. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/18/22 Full Review William M One of the better war movies ever made, but in no way a typical war movie. WWII is nearly over, and a platoon of German soldiers wants to surrender to a platoon of American G.I.'s. What begins as a promising, surprisingly non-violent encounter well...to say more is to give it away. Very good performances, and quite well directed. I can definitely recommend this one, even if you don't particularly care for war films. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/20/22 Full Review jon c War is clear but not cut Based on the novel by William Wharton It's Europe December 1944 and WWII is almost at an end Several soldiers are on the battlefield; Ethan Hawke, Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon, Gary Sinese, Frank Whaley They are assigned to capture a small squad of German soldiers posted in France's Ardennes forest, the main narrator is Will Knot as he recalls his experience on duty Tired of war, the Americans have already lost half their division in a recon patrol and discover that their German enemy is equally unwilling to fight A Jewish soldier Stan Shutzer interpreting, the Germans and Americans agree on a plan that will let the former surrender without violence -- but then, tragedy strikes Each of these soldiers before they shipped out were tight friends, all of them had a flexible system in place whether it was partying, women, or just looking out for each other It's good they're not one of those snobby war obsessed hotheads as they put aside obscenity as best they can to even treating a grieving lady with the utmost compassion The setting is nice, the score is quite soothing and atmospheric making you feel like you're there with the soldiers, and all of them have great chemistry It's a shame the actual war scenes don't kick in until the 92 min mark This doesn't do much as it should when it comes to characters but the wonderful acting from all these men make it commendable This is still a holiday war film that'll find its audience Human folly and fragile hope exist within us all when it comes to ending a war or just simply surviving it Cathartic as well as gut wrenching that's to say Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member It's a powerful, moving, yet frustrating little war story about the human condition and soldiers trying to come together to make peace during the holidays. It's wonderfully made with some great performances. And it keeps itself from being overly sentimental. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/21 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis In the winter of 1944, American soldiers led by Will Knott (Ethan Hawke) are assigned to capture a small squad of German soldiers posted in France's Ardennes forest. Tired of war, the Americans have already lost half their division and discover that their German enemy is equally unwilling to fight. With Jewish soldier Stan Shutzer (Arye Gross) interpreting, the Germans and Americans agree on a plan that will let the former surrender without violence -- but then, tragedy strikes.
Director
Keith Gordon
Producer
Bill Borden, Dale Pollock
Screenwriter
Keith Gordon
Production Co
A&M Films, Beacon Pictures, Beacon Communications
Rating
R
Genre
War, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$580.9K
Runtime
1h 47m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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