A Midnight Clear (1992)

This WW2 psychological drama plays out at Christmas. US GIs hold an isolated cabin in the Ardennes against a handful of Germans cut off from their main force. Combat-weary and short of rations, both sides are determined to survive.

Director:

Keith Gordon

Writers:

William Wharton (novel), Keith Gordon (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon, Arye Gross

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Berg	...	Bud Miller
Kevin Dillon	...	Cpl. Mel Avakian
Arye Gross	...	Stan Shutzer
Ethan Hawke	...	Sgt. Will Knott
Gary Sinise	...	Vance 'Mother' Wilkins
Frank Whaley	...	Paul 'Father' Mundy
John C. McGinley	...	Major Griffin
Larry Joshua	...	Lieutenant Ware
David Jensen	...	Sergeant Hunt
Curt Lowens	...	Older German Soldier
Rachel Griffin	...	Janice
Timothy S. Shoemaker	...	Eddie (as Tim Shoemaker)
Kelly Gately	...	Young German Soldier
Bill Osborn	...	American Sentry
Andre Lamal	...	German Soldier

Storyline

Set in 1944 France, in the Ardennes forest region, an American Intelligence Squad locates a German platoon wishing to surrender rather than die in Germany's final war offensive. The two groups of men, isolated from the war at present, put aside their differences and share a Christmas celebration. The surrender plan includes a mock battle that turns bad when one of the soldiers is unaware of the surrender plan.

---

Plot Keywords:

europe | year 1944 | rifle | glasses | grenade | 

---

Genres:

Drama | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, war violence and a scene of sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Section 44

Filming Locations:

Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,526,697

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&M Films,Beacon Communications,Beacon Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The mansion was actually a three-wall set, constructed in a remote area in the Utah hills.

---

Quotes

Will Knott: It's thanks to Griffin and his military mortuary skills that I've made my recent headlong leap to three stripes. We lost half our squad, attempting one of his map-inspired, ill-conceived recon patrols. When I say 'lost', I mean 'killed'. Nobody in the army ever admits that someone on our side is killed. They're either lost, like Christopher Robin... hit, as in a batter hit by a pitched ball... or they get 'it' like in hide-and-go-seek. Or maybe they 'get it', as with an ambiguous joke.

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: White Sands/A Midnight Clear/Passed Away/The Playboys/Delicatessen (1992)

---

Soundtracks

The Jersey Bounce
Recorded by Studo Music Department
Written by Buddy Feyne, Bobby Plater (as Bobby Platter), Tiny Bradshaw and Edward Johnson
Published by Lewis Music Publishing Co., Inc.

User Reviews

Don't miss this one----Four and a half stars

This is one of those films that when it finishes you can't find words for a while, to express the feelings it stimulates. I was one of the few who saw this in the theater, and I was stunned by the power of the acting, and surprisingly enough, the writing.

If after seeing this you can't see the futility of war, you've missed something. This is in the same class as All Quiet on the Western Front, Gallipoli, and Breaker Morant.