This week’s movie was Saints and Soldiers.
The movie is based on a true story about the Malmedy massacre during the Battle of the Bulge. Americans are kept as POWs by the Germans and there is an escape. Four of about 70 survive. Deacon steals one of the Germans’ weapons, but does not shoot him. Deacon, Gould, Kendrick, and Gunderson find a place to hide out because they are behind enemy lines.
The four find a British pilot named Winley, who has been shot down, and they learn he has important intelligence to get to the Allies. They set off on a 20 mile journey to find the Allies. Deacon experiences some hallucinations on the way, and is unable to sleep. It is revealed that Deacon accidentally killed 2 women and 6 children and it is haunting him.
Kendrick falls through the roof of an underground building on the journey and they stay there for a while because a snow storm is coming. They meet a French woman and her daughter who bring them food. Winley decides to leave during the storm to try to get to the Allies. 2 Germans show up and Deacon kills one but the other gets away. Then Winley comes back with that German as a prisoner. Deacon knows the German, Ruddy, from his mission time in Berlin and he is spared.
In the morning, Ruddy has been let go but he gave Deacon information about avoiding the German lines in return. The group leaves and runs into some Germans. Gunderson is shot and killed and Winley is hit in the leg. Kendrick is killed while trying to carry Winley somewhere safe. Deacon and Gould find Winley and Ruddy finds them. He tells them where there is a jeep they can use and moves on.
The three dress in German uniforms and take the jeep toward German lines. Deacon can speak German from his time in Berlin and they get through. But when they go toward American lines, they get shot at. The Americans help them but they are in a tough spot. Deacon covers for Gould and Winley and is shot and killed, but the remaining two make it and the intelligence is passed on.
Gould takes Deacon’s Book of Mormon from Deacon’s pocket because Deacon had offered it to him before. Gould is in awe that Deacon saved his life. Gould, who by the way is a medic, begins working on injured German soldiers to return Ruddy’s favor.
Saints and Soldiers
Deacon
I thought this was a really good movie. It brings out sacrifice and it depicts the true dedication of the soldiers. I was sad when Deacon was shot because he had been quiet and troubled through the whole journey, and he gave up his life for Gould, Winley, and the intelligence. The movie had a good plot that kept me watching it and again, it was based on true events.
Comments
Excellent job!