Monuments Men: Good Movie for WWII Buffs

[BobPalma]

'Wife picked up Monuments Men last evening and we watched it. An excellent movie for WWII History Buffs; the story of a small, special U.S. force tasked with finding and recapturing works of art and sculptures stolen by the Germans for "The Fuehrer's Museum" to be built and filled at the end of the war, had The Axis prevailed.

This is apparently based on a true story; such a force did exist. It seems like most of the 6X6s seen are GMC versions, but there is a Studebaker or two among the many WWII trucks seen in the movie.

It's interesting. I had no idea The Germans were so hell-bent on stealing so many works of art and famous sculptures and hiding them in abandoned mines until the end of the war. BP

[62champ]

And it was not restricted to art - Nazis stole huge amounts of currency and gold from the nations it invaded during the war as well. Photo from the salt mines in Merkers-Kieselbach taken toward the end of the war:

[Gunslinger]

The depravities shown by the Nazis had such depth to be almost bend belief. It wasn't limited to artwork, gold and antiquities, and has been well documented, though it wouldn't be surprising that much has yet to be documented. There is much to be discovered still.

[BobPalma]

And it was not restricted to art - Nazis stole huge amounts of currency and gold from the nations it invaded during the war as well. Photo from the salt mines in Merkers-Kieselbach taken toward the end of the war:

Right, Patrick (and Bruce); They reported and documented much of that associated looting in the movie.

Patrick, in the movie, they replicated that scene in the picture you posted. It is especially dramatic how they created that discovery for the movie; you have to see it to believe what a "wow" job they did on that scene; you actually gasp as it unfolds.

Again, highly recommended...and I'm not a big movie buff. BP

[t walgamuth]

I recently watched it too. Good movie.

[8E45E]

The depravities shown by the Nazis had such depth to be almost bend belief. It wasn't limited to artwork, gold and antiquities, and has been well documented, though it wouldn't be surprising that much has yet to be documented.

It has been documented some of that gold included the teeth fillings of their victims.

Craig

[BobPalma]

It has been documented some of that gold included the teeth fillings of their victims. Craig

Right, Craig. The movie shows the men discovering a couple barrels filled with little gold nuggets. One man runs his hand through the shiny nuggets and is then solemnly informed that they are teeth fillings. BP

[Chris Pile]

I've heard it's a good flick, but a history professor at a local college saw it and was appalled with Hollywood's twisting of historical facts. There was no romance between characters, and much of their work focused on saving buildings - not art. And... most of the art was found at or after the wars' end. Sorry to rain your parade, guys.

I am reminded of a botanist who watched a movie supposedly filmed in the forests of northern Russia, when he heard the call of a bird who lived only around Tillamook, Oregon. Ruined the movie for him.

[Gunslinger]

I'm well aware of the gold from teeth...do some reading about the "experiments" done by some of the sadistic "doctors" within the Nazi regime and items like lampshades made from tattooed skin and it begins to show the depth of the depravity of what humans can do to others.

Many unrecovered items of artwork and other treasure may have been destroyed in the war, stolen by individuals unknown (and occasionally surface today) and stolen as a matter of national policy...the Soviet Union never gave back what they looted. They considered it reparations and the Rooskies today have no intention of returning anything or even confirming what they have.

If anyone has the opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum in DC, I would encourage it. It's overpowering and a very emotional experience.

[62champ]

Photo of gold rings confiscated by the Nazis before and during the war.



In my US History class, we would discuss and do a lesson on how things can be inaccurately portrayed on film (or in other mediums). I would use a first person account that the students would read, then we would watch part of a video (Band of Brothers) to see how it was changed for "entertainment value."

In the end we talked about how many of the Nazis, with all their talk about being superior to others, were simply murderers and thieves...

[BobPalma]

I've heard it's a good flick, but a history professor at a local college saw it and was appalled with Hollywood's twisting of historical facts. There was no romance between characters, and much of their work focused on saving buildings - not art. And... most of the art was found at or after the wars' end. Sorry to rain your parade, guys.

Chris, in fairness to the film, it is not presented as a historical record of what happened.

Right at the beginning, the screen goes blank and a simple line appears:

Based on a True Story



I'd say that, based on the photos posted in this thread and the many period black & whites that appear as stills during and after the movie, that they did a pretty fair job of what they set out to do.

If it was presented as a factual account or documentary, it would be weak, as you say. BP

[Bob Bryant]

It has been documented some of that gold included the teeth fillings of their victims.Craig

Carol and I visited Dachau concentration camp. It was extremely sad and depressing to see what some fanatics could do with innocent victims.

[52 Ragtop]

Good movie, none the less! One of our Veterans helped liberate a couple of the concentration camps, he has "thousands" of photos of those. As he stated, "Eisenhower & Patton told them to take lots of photos, as someone in the future will say it never happened"
I have seen some of those photos, and as Andy says, "It's hard to believe that men can do that to another man" He is right, they ARE pretty graphic

Jim