A little-known war film on Netflix is being hailed as an 'exceptional masterpiece' rivalling the likes of Saving Private Ryan, and chances are most people haven't even come across it yet.
The Overlooked Gem
The overlooked gem is rooted in a heartbreaking and relatively obscure true event from the Second World War, with viewers declaring it the 'best war film of all time.'
The war drama tells the true story of Operation Carthage, a catastrophic and deeply tragic wartime incident in which a British Royal Air Force (RAF) raid on March 21, 1945, led to the accidental bombing of the French-Danish Jeanne d'Arc School in Copenhagen, Denmark. The raid claimed 123 civilian lives, among them 87 schoolchildren and 18 adults who were present at the school at the time.
The Bombardment: A Danish Masterpiece
The Bombardment, also known as The Shadow in My Eye and originally titled Skyggen i mit øje, is a 2021 Danish war drama that has left audiences 'literally sobbing.' The film initially premiered in Denmark in 2021 before its distribution rights were snapped up by Netflix, which brought the war drama to its platform in March 2022.
Written and directed by Ole Bornedal, The Bombardment has had viewers gripped from the 'very first frame,' with audiences unable to stop heaping praise upon it.
Star-Studded Cast
Starring Alex Høgh Andersen, Fanny Bornedal, Danica Curcic, Alban Lendorf, Caspar Phillipson, Patricia Schumann, Morten Suurballe, James Tarpey, and Susse Wold, viewers are proclaiming they have 'never seen anything quite like this' war film.
The film's official plot states: 'The fates of several Copenhagen residents collide when a WWII bombing mission accidentally targets a school full of children.'
Critical and Audience Acclaim
Boasting a flawless 100% critics' approval rating alongside a 90% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Bombardment has attracted widespread acclaim from every corner.
One critic said of the film: 'Haunting and visceral, Ole Bornedal's beautifully shot film stays in your mind well after it's over.'
Another reviewer noted: 'The Bombardment is an emotional drama with depressing moments and there are many scenes involving violence and injustice, so it isn't a movie for the faint of heart. But it remains an important story and unapologetic portrayal of the brutality of war.'
A third critic said: 'If you think you can handle the confronting subject matter, this is thoughtfully made and worth a watch.'
Audience Reactions
Audiences were equally enthralled by the war drama, with one viewer writing: 'Absolutely fantastic, heart breaking, intense all wrapped in one, amazing directing and even at the ending, moments stay in your mind. Great actors/actresses. Well portrayed. 5*'
One viewer said: 'Absolutely brilliant. Unlike any other war film I have ever seen. Mostly truthful in its historical portrayal of a terrible event. I was glued to the screen from the start. I will be watching this one again.'
One admirer of the film wrote: 'Immaculate film making. Overflowing with superb craft and taste. A magnificent tribute to a brave people.'
While an IMDB user review says: 'Amazing Movie. I was transfixed from start to finish. Best movie I have seen in some time. Acting is very good, dubbing in English not distracting. The children and adult characters are interesting. The story is beyond moving. Some scenes definitely not for the faint of heart. I don't give many movies a ten, I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like this. Simply brilliant.'
Another review said: 'It's not perfect, but it's also one of the best WWII movies that I've seen, and I've seen a lot. The cinematography is impressive, with a number of unique shots and visuals. The characters are compelling, each one of them. I think the director did a great job of portraying the heart break and horror of war, without leaving the audience gutted completely.'
One particularly heartfelt review from a viewer reads: 'This movie wrecked me. This is one of the best war movies I have ever seen. This is a masterpiece in storytelling. It makes you connect with the characters emotionally. I loved how they portrayed the children. I laughed with them and I cried with them. By the end of the movie I was an emotional mess, I was literally sobbing. No child should ever go through what those children went through. RIP.'
The Bombardment is available to stream on Netflix.
