I recently viewed the Danish-German war drama "Under Sandet" (2015), written and directed by Martin Zandvliet, which is based on true events. The film depicts the story of young German prisoners of war who were tasked with clearing the Jutland coast of two million landmines using their bare hands. This lesser-known chapter of Danish post-war history is a fascinating premise for a film.
The film begins with a group of German soldiers being transported to a Danish beach where they are forced to commence the dangerous task of removing landmines. The soldiers, led by the unyielding Sergeant Carl Rasmussen (played by Roland Møller), are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment. Rasmussen's plan seems to be to starve the German soldiers to death while forcing them to work. However, the character development falls flat as the soldiers are portrayed as one-dimensional, lacking in personality. Similarly, Rasmussen initially comes across as a heartless monster consumed by hatred, making his later change of heart seem unearned.
One of the film's major issues is its monotony. The film maintains a dull tone throughout, and the bomb disarming scenes lack the excitement they could have had if the audience was more invested in the characters.
While the film has received acclaim for bringing attention to a little-known piece of history, its historical inaccuracies detract from its value. For instance, the German soldiers are led by a Danish sergeant in the film, whereas in reality, German officers led the program. Additionally, the film focuses heavily on the brutality of the Danish sergeant, which is not a part of history. The Danish government's stated plan in the film to starve workers to death is also not factual, as it was the Germans who functioned with death camps and starvation labor. This inaccuracy detracts from the actual controversy surrounding the use of German labor to deactivate the mines.
While films that take creative liberties with history to make a point can be effective, "Under Sandet" falls short due to its overemphasis on its supposed factual basis. The actors, including the German soldiers played by Louis Hofmann, Emil & Oscar Belton, and Joel Basman, failed to leave a lasting impression. The film's score also did not enhance the viewing experience.
Overall, "Under Sandet" has the potential to be an insightful and powerful film, given its historical context. However, its lack of character development, monotonous tone, and historical inaccuracies ultimately undermine its potential. I would rate it 2 out of 10 stars.
The film begins with a group of German soldiers being transported to a Danish beach where they are forced to commence the dangerous task of removing landmines. The soldiers, led by the unyielding Sergeant Carl Rasmussen (played by Roland Møller), are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment. Rasmussen's plan seems to be to starve the German soldiers to death while forcing them to work. However, the character development falls flat as the soldiers are portrayed as one-dimensional, lacking in personality. Similarly, Rasmussen initially comes across as a heartless monster consumed by hatred, making his later change of heart seem unearned.
One of the film's major issues is its monotony. The film maintains a dull tone throughout, and the bomb disarming scenes lack the excitement they could have had if the audience was more invested in the characters.
While the film has received acclaim for bringing attention to a little-known piece of history, its historical inaccuracies detract from its value. For instance, the German soldiers are led by a Danish sergeant in the film, whereas in reality, German officers led the program. Additionally, the film focuses heavily on the brutality of the Danish sergeant, which is not a part of history. The Danish government's stated plan in the film to starve workers to death is also not factual, as it was the Germans who functioned with death camps and starvation labor. This inaccuracy detracts from the actual controversy surrounding the use of German labor to deactivate the mines.
While films that take creative liberties with history to make a point can be effective, "Under Sandet" falls short due to its overemphasis on its supposed factual basis. The actors, including the German soldiers played by Louis Hofmann, Emil & Oscar Belton, and Joel Basman, failed to leave a lasting impression. The film's score also did not enhance the viewing experience.
Overall, "Under Sandet" has the potential to be an insightful and powerful film, given its historical context. However, its lack of character development, monotonous tone, and historical inaccuracies ultimately undermine its potential. I would rate it 2 out of 10 stars.