Saints and Soldiers (2003)

Four American soldiers and one Brit fighting in Europe during World War II struggle to return to Allied territory after being separated from U.S. forces during the historic Malmedy Massacre.

Director:

Ryan Little

Writers:

Geoffrey Panos (original story), Geoffrey Panos (screenwriter)

Stars:

Corbin Allred, Alexander Polinsky, Kirby Heyborne

16 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Corbin Allred	...	Cpl. Nathan 'Deacon' Greer
Alexander Polinsky	...	Medic Steven Gould (as Alexander Niver)
Kirby Heyborne	...	Flt. Sgt. Oberon Winley
Larry Bagby	...	Pvt. Shirley 'Shirl' Kendrick (as Lawrence Bagby)
Peter Holden	...	SSgt. Gordon Gunderson
Ethan Vincent	...	Rudolph 'Rudi' Gertz
Melinda Renee	...	Catherine Theary
Ruby Chase	...	Sophie Theary (as Ruby Chase O'Neil)
Jeff Birk	...	Radio Announcer
Benjamin Gourley	...	Private McKinley (as Ben Gourley)
Tane Williams	...	Injured One-Armed Soldier
Randy Beard	...	German Officer #1
Curt Doussett	...	German Soldier #1
Michael Buster	...	German Soldier #2
M. Casey Reeves	...	Weeping Soldier

Storyline

After surviving a massacre in Malmedy, a location behind the German army in Europe, four American soldiers with only one weapon rescue the British pilot Oberon Winley (Kirby Heyborn) in a tree and they move together, trying to reach the allied forces and save a great number of allied soldiers from a German attack with the information got by Winley in his flight. While marching, each soldier discloses inner secrets to the rest of the group.

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Plot Keywords:

year 1944 | 1940s | american soldier | behind enemy lines | ardennes forest | 

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Taglines:

There is a time for heroes

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for war violence and related images

Did You Know?

Trivia

The highest opening weekend of any release from Excel Entertainment: $129,056 (from only 26 screens; week of August 6-8, 2004)

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Goofs

At the end of the film we see a German soldier fire a Panzerfaust (anti-tank weapon) at a tent. The "bomb" launches like a rocket in a straight line and blows the tent to smithereens. This would not happen. The Panzerfaust is not a rocket launcher; it is effectively a big gun. There's a charge in the tube that explodes and "lobs" the charge towards its target. It does not fly under its own power and certainly does not travel in a straight line. The shaped charge is encased in metal and the front needs to deform to set off the detonator. This would require striking a hard target such as a tank. If a panzerfaust was fired at a tent it would merely bounce off.

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Quotes

Radio Announcer: This is armed forces radio, reporting from London. Today supreme allied headquarters reported American combat troops and aircraft have completely routed the attacking German army and the Ardennes front.

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Connections

Featured in The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2005)

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Soundtracks

Villa
Performed by JoAnn Ottley
JOANN OTTLEY: Retrospective
1999 Tantara Records
Used by permissionn

User Reviews

A gem of a film.

Many films succeed outside the context of Hollywood hype. This one provides several messages competently executed by new talent, and without the special effects so commonly packaged by Tinseltown. Dialog and talent hold one's attention in a real-world interpretation of the Malmedy massacre and it's aftermath in WW2 Belgium. The tagline, 'A Time For Heroes' says much and it's more than appropriate for our time since the definition of 'hero' has been broadened by current events and uncommon courage. Lighting, sound, location, editing, and inventive writing make this a weekend wonder if you're seeking a story of principled men in desperate circumstances. Not unlike John Sturges' films.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

25 March 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Saints of War

Filming Locations:

Alpine, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$780,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$129,056, 8 August 2004

Gross USA:

$1,310,470

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,310,470

Company Credits

Production Co:

Go Films, Medal of Honor Productions LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (DTS-HD 5.1) Dolby Digital (5.1 surround)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1 / (high definition)