A Midnight Clear

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A Midnight Clear

R

1992

1h 47m

War

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

79%

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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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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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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

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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

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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

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

A Midnight Clear is powerful without being overbearing.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 28, 2018

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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

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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

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Dallas H

The storytelling format feels like a product of its time when WW2-centric war movies had a revival. It is an okay film. But I was more distracted by the aged storytelling format than the story itself.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

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Glimmring B

This is a beautifully cruel movie. It is a war movie that doesn't pull it's punches, and yet it is one of the few that also doesn't glorify them. This movie is a story full of sharp edges and awful realities. It tells it's story and does not care for the feelings it rises. It is a bit predictable though.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Keith Gordon

Director

Ethan Hawke

Sgt. Will Knott

Peter Berg

Bud Miller

Kevin Dillon

Cpl. Mel Avakian

Arye Gross

Stan Shutzer

Gary Sinise

Vance `'Mother'` Wilkins

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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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