Masterful Movie

Am I Missing Something?

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Blistering performances.

Letters from Monte Rosa is a solid addition to the WWII genre. It is told from the point of view of Italian and German soldiers, who, as men of enemy nations, have seldom been the central subject of films widely seen by American audiences. Only a few titles -- The Bridge, Stalingrad and Cross of Iron among them -- have ever gotten meaningful exposure to the same aficionados who have seen Saving Private Ryan and the many WWII big studio battle action films made in the 1960s and '70s. In those films, almost invariably, the Germans of the Wehrmacht were automatons with Schmeissers and Tiger tanks defending an evil regime, and too seldom given human dimension as men who also longed for home, family, safety, and days without fear and suffering. As their worlds collapsed and death chased them, each soldier had to decide and to prove if he was a coward or courageous, if he would seek escape or do his duty. Letters from Monte Rosa shows us the horror of war, that there is seldom any glory in the ugly business of killing or dying. Still, sardonic humor pervades several scenes, and a few good belly laughs ease the tension even while building it. Director Ari Taub directs the actors well, asking them to show us the charisma and frustration, leadership and anguish of men in situations where there is little hope of survival. Tech credits are very good: the camera moves crisply, a textured sound scape provides a real sense of place, editing is proficient and puts us in the action. Production design is excellent for a low-budget effort. Also commendable is that the film strives to avoid the clichés so common to the war genre, and in so doing reveals a great passion for the theme that even enemy soldiers had dignity and souls.

Yes, I can't say I've done the same. Heck, I had to walk out of Observe and Report and I'm not the biggest critic around.....I hardly walk out of anything. the acting really kept your attention and I felt like there was a poignant story being told and it was a challenge to keep up with the subtitles when you're not fluent in English or German. What do I know I've never produced a film but I know what I like so I say Congratulations on producing a worthwhile piece of work.I can't wait to see the comedy he's got in the works and hope to be a part of it. It's wonderful to be able to make people laugh such that we're not soooo alone on this planet. Film can definitely be a unifying medium.

This is a wonderfully told story of the relationships between the German and Italian soldiers during WWII. It is beautifully shot, touching, poignant and at times extremely funny. One of the things that stands out about this film is the realism, the waiting, life in the trenches, then the inevitable horror of the randomness of war. This perspective of the war through the eyes of our "enemies" is fascinating.The acting is superb and very, very real! You truly see the personality and cultural differences between the Italians and Germans in a way that is never stereotypical. A real gem! A truly beautiful film....

I was privileged to see this film at a small venue in Jupiter, FL called the Atlantic Theater. The only thing I had heard about this movie was that it was a WWII film told from the perspective of the Germans and Italians. It was funny at times, poignant at others. It wasn't an overtly grotesque viewing of war...it was told in moments between real people with real fears and needs. I literally would laugh one moment, then cry the next. The movie has subtitles, but the beauty of both languages, Italian and German, being spoken by the actors brought the audience into the reality of the lives of these characters. It is about love of your country, the pull of the glory of war combined with the exhaustion and degradation. The desperation as one realizes that it's not all it's cracked up to be, while realizing that it is the path you have chosen, good or bad. Never preachy, as some WWII films can be....from either side.A great film with a talented cast,director and writers. More people need to see this...it will bring a perspective that has not been seen...ever to my knowledge.