Flame & Citron (2008)

Simply A Masterpiece

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

I already reviewed this title but for some reason my first review did not pass. Let me try again.This is an excellent WWII film. There were many films made about this period, this one is focusing on the Danish resistance. We enjoyed excellent acting, interesting plot, good visual effects. If you are into WWII films I would strongly recommend that you obtain this film and watch it.Is plot realistic? It is hard to tell, Danish resistance was not very much talked about after WWII.I am glad that European film making is continuing and that it produces such a good films. I would like that Europe continues making films similar to this, very interesting and dynamic.

It's a convenient myth that in any war, people are just the unfortunate casualties of the pursuit of military objectives. But often, the military objective is the killing of people. 'Flame and Citron' tells the story of two fighters in the Danish resistance, who systematically kill collaborators with the occupying Nazis. Potentially, it's a rich subject, and it also explores themes of loyalty and trust. But there's something of a boys-own adventure feel to it, with improbable escapes, an endless succession of slayings, fairly thin motivation and the relative moral ease with which it's possible to endorse the resistance over the Germans. It's an entertaining yarn, but it didn't quite convince me that this is exactly what being in the resistance would have been like; while I've seen deeper explorations of collaboration and treachery elsewhere.

World War II resistance fighters have understandably been held at high regard through the years. It's difficult to imagine folks more heroic than those who risk their lives defending their countrymen against the forces of evil. But as "Flame and Citron" reveals, in partisan warfare, the blood can be obscured by a thick layer of fog. The travails of the main characters - one a young, cool-headed killer and his partner, the older, conflicted but dedicated partisan - provide tantalizing drama. This is certainly one of the best WWII movies I've seen in the past decade, and it's a shame it hasn't had more exposure in America. I highly recommend this well-directed, well-acted film, which provides a look at events that most of us have never read about in history books.

Uncompromising filmmaking that puts to shame big budget American-made World War Two movies, FLAME AND CITRON delves into the sometimes unglamorous side of wartime intrigue by focusing on two heretofore unsung heroes. Their tactics are understandably brutal: "Hate seduces you into doing things you never thought yourself capable of." Personal relationships become suspect. "We have to move on," Citron is told just after learning of his wife's infidelity; and it's all part of the TRUE cost of waging war. The best line in the movie is one of the most telling: "I don't think there is an 'after.'" Outstanding filmmaking deserving of a look.