An emotional war movie streaming on Netflix has been hailed a ‘masterpiece’ by viewers who have compared the ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘fantastic’ gem to Schindler’s List.
The ‘masterpiece’ war film even has a 100% rating(Image: Miso Film)
When it comes to truly powerful war films, one title currently streaming on Netflix has left viewers absolutely floored, with many unable to get past its ‘haunting’ and ‘visceral’ portrayal of a combat drama rooted in devastating true events from the Second World War.
Audiences are declaring the film will ‘stay in your mind well after it’s over’ – and the most gut-wrenching element is that it’s grounded in little-known real events from World War II. Some viewers argue that’s precisely what makes it far more hard-hitting than other war films of its kind.
The Bombardment, also known as The Shadow in My Eye and Skyggen i mit øje, is a 2021 Danish-language war film written and directed by Ole Bornedal.
The ‘brilliant’ war drama has absolutely ‘wrecked’ viewers emotionally, focusing on Operation Carthage – an air raid carried out by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Copenhagen during the Second World War – in which a school packed with children was tragically misidentified as a target and bombed.
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.”
The Bombardment stars Alex Høgh Andersen, Fanny Bornedal, Ella Josephine Lund Nilsson, Ester Birch, Danica uri, Susse Wold, Bertram Bisgaard Enevoldsen, Malena Lucia Lodahl, Alban Lendorf, Caspar Phillipson, and Patricia Schumann alongside a larger ensemble cast, reports the Express.
Boasting a flawless 100% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film landed on Netflix in March 2022 and has since garnered rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
One critic said of the war drama: “By showing us the people caught at the crossroads of beginnings and endings, this film becomes a timely nod to a difficult truth.”
Another reviewer stated: “While The Bombardment struggles to figure how to lay the foundation for the larger narrative of the film…this terrible tragedy is not for the faint of heart, but the story deserves to be told, and the impact of the lives lost should never be forgotten.”
Yet another critic added: “The Bombardment is a little unwieldy, but it’s reverential to its tragic central subject and buoyed by the work of some fine young actors.”
Viewers have been similarly transfixed, with one fan comparing it to Schindler’s List: “Wow……just Wow. I hope this won some really high award in Europe because it blew me away. What’s worse, is that this is a true story. This was as intense as Schindler’s List. This is a very serious film about a horrendous mistake when Britain bombed a Gestapo building in Denmark, but mostly hit a large school instead.”
Another viewer said: “Absolutely fantastic, heart breaking, intense all wrapped in one, amazing directing and even at the ending, moments stay in you’re mind. Great actors/actresses. Well portrayed 5 stars.”
Meanwhile, one fan called it a ‘masterpiece’: “Masterpiece. Very sad to see, but this was done so well. Acting on the spot, cinematography brilliant, you get sucked into the action and just brilliant. Very very tragic story, be warned this is hard to swallow…”
Another viewer said: “The Bombardment is a cinematic tour de force. It’s an emotional journey that simultaneously disturbs and inspires, showcasing the strength and resilience of the human spirit amidst the chaos of war. This film is more than just entertainment; it’s an important exploration of humanity in its darkest and brightest moments.”
The Bombardment is currently available to stream on Netflix.