The Film
This Spike Lee directed film is disjointed from beginning to end, with clichéd characters, anachronistic dialog and a meandering plot. Lee has attempted to set the record straight about the role that the all-black 92nd Infantry Division played in World War II, but by using James McBride's novel of the same name (which takes vast liberties with the real history) the truth becomes all the more muddled. So rather than praising these soldiers, this film is almost an insult to those brave men -- black, white or otherwise -- who fought for the United States in World War II.
The Picture
About the only saving grace of this presentation is the picture quality of the Blu-ray, which manages to bring the Italian countryside and village of St. Anna to life. Thank heaven for small miracles it seems. The 2.35:1 transfer is generally clear and crisp, but Lee's skills don't include the proper technique for framing an action scene, and the muted color palate makes it hard to appreciate the HD picture.
The Sound
This Blu-ray is loud. The action sequences pile on the sound effects and then some. There is no mistaking that you're hearing a battle, but here is a case where the viewer/listener should be able to distinguish between loud and encompassing. In this case the DTS-HD 5.1 audio is just loud, and this is noticeable because much of the dialog is muffled, so you can expect very quiet scenes that are suddenly broken by intense volume.
The Extras
The 92nd Infantry Division, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, has a long and colorful history. While one of the disc's bonus features helps offer some insight into that history, you may be left feeling like only part of the story has been told. Likewise, the featurette with Lee and WWII veterans is handled in a way that feels heavy handed and offers little reason to be viewed more than once. If the piece was included to be moving and inspiring, Lee certainly missed the mark.
Final Thoughts
It is almost as if Spike Lee had something to prove when he made Miracle at St. Anna. His desire to tell the story of the role of the 92nd Infantry Division, or a more personal tale of the black soldier in the second World War is not without merit. But instead of relaying a heartfelt and accurate account that would make you sympathize with the characters and their hardships, this film has so many anti-heroes, clichéd settings and surreal plot twists that it is hard to follow. The Blu-ray does little to make this any more compelling, and instead serves as a study in how not to make a World War II film.
Where to Buy
Product Details
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