Watch A Midnight Clear

A Midnight Clear, released in 1992 and directed by Keith Gordon, takes place during the intense winter of 1944, in the middle of World War II, where a group of American soldiers, situated in an abandoned chateau in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium, are expecting a peaceful Christmas celebration. However, when they encounter a small group of German soldiers, who are also looking for a peaceful holiday, the American soldiers find themselves having conflicting feelings about the enemy troops.

The film begins with a dream-like sequence, as the protagonist, Will (Ethan Hawke), is dreaming about a German soldier aiming a gun at him, only to be awoken by his fellow soldier, Bud (Frank Whaley). Will is the intellectual and the leader of the group, and he hopes to receive orders that will take them away from the front line. The other soldiers include Vance (Peter Berg), the tough and stoic man, Mel (Kevin Dillon), the gentle soul, and Wilkins (Arye Gross), the funny guy.

After receiving orders to hold the line, the group decides to sneak behind the enemy lines, enjoying the silence and peace of the night. But as they go deeper into the forest, they encounter a small group of German soldiers: two nurses, a sergeant, and two other soldiers. After an initial standoff, both parties realize that they are in the same predicament, with neither group intending to engage in battle. They agree to a temporary truce, with both groups agreeing to aid each other in case of danger.

During the next few days, the soldiers of both groups bond, sharing stories of their lives before the war and their hopes of returning to them. As they journey through the forest, they encounter a group of desperate and starving refugees, whose plight strikes a chord in the men. Both the American and German soldiers work together to help the refugees, regardless of their nationality.

But as time passes, both groups receive orders to return to their respective bases, with the prospect of having to engage in battle. The soldiers must wrestle with the conflicting feelings of humanity and duty, knowing that their actions could lead to death for themselves and their comrades.

A Midnight Clear is a powerful anti-war film, with the script based on the 1982 novel by William Wharton. The story is about the horrors of war, but it is also about the bonds of humanity that can shine through even in the darkest of times. The director masterfully sets the atmosphere of the Ardennes Forest, with its stark beauty and ominous silence. The script is well-written, with believable and relatable characters that the audience becomes invested in.

All of the actors give excellent performances, but Peter Berg stands out with his portrayal of Vance, the stoic and tough soldier who has seen too much of the brutality of war. Berg's ability to convey Vance's inner turmoil, as he balances his humanity and duty, is remarkable, and his scenes with Kevin Dillon, who plays Mel, the gentler soul of the group, are particularly poignant.

One thing that sets this film apart from other war movies is that it does not rely on over-the-top action sequences or gore to tell its story. Instead, it relies on the emotions and interactions of the characters, making it a more authentic and powerful story. The soundtrack is also notable, with a haunting and melancholic score by Mark Isham that perfectly captures the mood of the film.

In conclusion, A Midnight Clear is a must-watch for fans of war movies or anyone interested in an engaging and thought-provoking story. It is a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled, and it is a testament to the human cost of war.

A Midnight Clear is a 1992 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.