Watch The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men is a historical drama movie from 2014, directed by George Clooney, who also stars in the film along with a star-studded cast, including Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, and Hugh Bonneville. The story is based on a true account of an American-led group of art experts and historians called the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program, which was tasked with recovering precious artwork and cultural artifacts stolen by the Nazis during the height of World War II.

The movie begins in 1943 when Allied forces land in Italy, and the art-loving US President Franklin D. Roosevelt (played by Clooney) signs a decree to create the Monuments Men. The group consists of seven members, each with a unique set of skills and expertise in art and history. They include Frank Stokes (Clooney), James Granger (Damon), Richard Campbell (Murray), Walter Garfield (Goodman), Jean Claude Clermont (Dujardin), Preston Savitz (Balaban), and Donald Jeffries (Bonneville).

The Monuments Men are assembled to prevent the Nazis from destroying Europe's cultural heritage, as Hitler had planned to build a vast museum in his hometown of Linz, Austria to showcase the looted artwork. The Monuments Men are tasked with locating the stolen art and returning it to its rightful owners before the Nazis can destroy it.

The film then follows the Monuments Men as they travel to various European locations, including France, Belgium, and Germany, tracking down valuable paintings, sculptures, and other art treasures. They face many challenges along the way, including German resistance, harsh weather conditions, and the threat of betrayal from local informants.

As they progress in their mission, the Monuments Men uncover shocking truths about the evil deeds committed by the Nazis, such as the forced labor and death of Jewish prisoners who were made to transport stolen art. This realization deepens their resolve to complete their mission and secure the priceless cultural heritage for future generations.

Apart from the tense action sequences, The Monuments Men also features some lighter, comedic moments, particularly between the characters of Murray and Balaban, who provide much of the film's comic relief. However, the movie doesn't shy away from the somber realities of war and its devastating effect on people's lives.

The Monuments Men is a visually stunning movie, with excellent cinematography that captures the beauty of the art pieces and the landscapes of Europe. The score by Alexandre Desplat complements the film's patriotic and heroic themes, adding to the emotional impact of the story.

In conclusion, The Monuments Men is an inspiring and fascinating movie that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of history. It is a tribute to the brave men and women who risked their lives to preserve the world's cultural treasures and prevent them from being lost forever. With a superb cast and captivating storyline, The Monuments Men is a must-watch for history buffs and movie lovers alike.

The Monuments Men is a 2013 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 52.