DVD Review: Miracle at St. Anna (Blu-ray & DVD)
Sorry for the tardiness of this review. I had to go out of town earlier this week and forgot to post it…
In Miracle at St. Anna, Spike returns behind the camera to bring us a heartwarming story about the lives of four African American soldiers trapped behind enemy lines during World War II. An epic tale depicting the indomitable human spirit in the face of shocking devastation, this stirring story is even more revealing with exclusive Blu-ray bonus features that take viewers deeper into the world of these unsung heroes with a fascinating documentary featuring WWII vets and Spike Lee that illuminates the untold story of America’s “Buffalo Soldiers,” the U.S. Army’s all-black regiment.
Miracle at St. Anna comes from the true story of four African American soldiers stationed in German occupied Italy during World War II. Separated from their unit and trapped behind Nazi lines, ranking officer Aubrey Stamps (Derek Luke), hot-headed Bishop Cummings (Michael Ealy), radioman Hector Negron (Laz Alonso) and gentle giant Sam Train (Omar Benson Miller) survive a shocking massacre, rescuing a young Italian boy in the process. The five make their way to the nearest village, where they join forces with the local opposition, risking their lives and gathering intelligence for a nation that at the time considered them second-class citizens.
Though the movie was described as honest, powerful, and inspiring and kind thought the movie itself was very slow paced. Many of the parts seemed to have drug and this was a movie I really thought would be the best work Spike Lee could bring but it didn’t hold up to even Inside Man, which still remains the best Spike Lee movie. The story did hold up in terms of its heartwarming story. The relationship between the little Italian boy and the soldiers that saved his life is the truly remarkable part of the movie.
The Bonus features are only available on the Blu-ray version of the film, which downgrades my overall review of the movie.
• Deeds Not Words—Pull up a chair with Director Spike Lee and World War II veterans at the historic Harlem Veterans’ Club as they share their intimate experiences from the Great War and discuss how their service to their country is remembered and immortalized in the annals of history and in the films of Hollywood.
• The Buffalo Soldier Experience—Trace the history of the Buffalo Soldier with historians, Director Spike Lee and the cast, and hear rare firsthand accounts of the deep personal bond that was forged between the soldiers and the Italian citizens during World War II.
• Deleted Scenes
Ultimately with no bonus features on the regular DVD and the slow pace of the film I would recommend this as a rental and not a buy. The Blu-ray version holds up a little stronger with interesting bonus features such as the Deeds Not Words and the Buffalo Soldier experience so for fans of Spike and these type of films, the Blu-ray is still not worth the purchase of $34.99 but is a very good rental, especially on the Blu-ray format.
