Movie: The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men: soldiers saving art.  The movie is based upon a true story.  During the war, Hitler plundered Europe’s art collections and planned to build a museum to house his stolen treasures.  However, when the war turned against him, Hitler issued a decree to have  the art destroyed.  A small group was formed to save the art work from destruction.  The actual unit was a joint effort among a coalition of British and American military men.   At the end of the war, this Monuments Unit consisted of approximately 66 men.  The Unit continued to operate through 1951 but remained small, approximately 350 individuals.  The first part of the movie tells how the Unit was assembled.  It then goes on to describe the Unit’s efforts during WW II,  which were remarkably successful given the limited number of individuals involved.  The movie focuses on eight of the individuals, all of whom are played by high profile actors.  George Clooney, in the lead, plays an individual named Frank Stokes in the movie but clearly represents George Leslie Stout.  Clooney also co-wrote and directed this 159 minute film.  The script is based upon a book by Robert Edsel and Bret Witter, which is quite readable and provides a lot more detail as to what occurred.  Despite the seriousness of the subject, there is a lightness to the film:  the war is a backdrop to explaining the importance of art to civilization.  With John Goodman and Bill Murray among the prominent characters, it should not have come as any surprise that there was as much humor as there was, the seriousness of the subject notwithstanding.  The manner by which each member joins the Unit is also presented with humor.  By their facial expressions alone, both Murray and Goodman can bring a smile to the viewer.  The interaction between Murray and Bob Balaban is particularly funny.  Due to the international affiliations of the Monuments Unit, the casting of Hugh Bonneville from “ Downton Abbey” and Jean Dujardin from “The Artist” was appropriate.  Part of the Unit’s success was due to information provided by a French female art curator who had monitored the looting of the French Museum.  This character is played by Cate Blanchett.  Matt Damon also has a prominent role.  If you want to learn what really happened with respect to the Monuments Men, those individuals who served in the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives unit of the American and British military, you should read the book.  The movie is enjoyable but touches only upon the depth of Hilter’s plan for the destruction of great art and the effort that was made to save the art from destruction.