“Miracle at St. Anna” is a film where four Buffalo soldiers find themselves behind enemy lines during WWII, facing both physical and emotional battles. As they fight to survive, they discover valuable lessons about the meaning of brotherhood and sacrifice. The movie takes viewers on a gripping journey filled with intense action scenes and powerful themes of loyalty and honor.
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Review
Miracle at St. Anna: A Tale of Brotherhood, Sacrifice, and Redemption
Set in the mid-1940s in Tuscany, Italy, Miracle at St. Anna is a powerful war drama that tells the story of four African-American soldiers, members of the all-black 92nd Infantry Division, who get trapped behind enemy lines after a botched reconnaissance mission during World War II. As they navigate their way through hostile territory and encounter Italian resistance fighters and Nazi troops, they are forced to confront their inner demons and confront the harsh realities of wartime.
Directed by Spike Lee and adapted from James McBride’s novel of the same name, Miracle at St. Anna is a sprawling epic that tackles complex themes such as racism, identity, loyalty, patriotism, guilt, and forgiveness. Despite its length (over 2 hours and 40 minutes), the movie keeps you engaged with its vivid characters, stunning cinematography, poignant score, and gripping action sequences.
The Plot
The movie opens with an elderly man named Hector Negron (Laz Alonso) shooting an Italian man in New York City’s Central Park in 1983. He is arrested by the police but claims that he was only defending himself against a traitor who betrayed him during World War II.
As he sits in his cell awaiting trial, he recounts his wartime experience to a skeptical journalist named Tim Boyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). The bulk of the movie is told in flashbacks as Negron recalls his fateful mission to cross enemy lines along with three fellow soldiers: Sergeant Aubrey Stamps (Derek Luke), Corporal Hector Soto (Michael Ealy), and Private Sam Train (Omar Benson Miller).
Their mission is to capture a strategic bridge held by the Germans before their Allied comrades launch a massive offensive. Along the way, they meet an orphaned boy named Angelo (Matteo Sciabordi) who becomes their guide and friend.
However, things go awry when they stumble upon a small village called St. Anna inhabited by Italian partisans led by Peppi Grotto (Pierfrancesco Favino) who are fighting the Germans. The Americans decide to stay and help the villagers, but their presence draws the attention of a sadistic German officer named Captain Eichholz (Christian Berkel) who suspects that they are spies.
The tension mounts as the Americans and Italians prepare for a showdown with the Nazis while dealing with their own personal demons. Stamps struggles with his duty to his country and his loyalty to his men, Soto grapples with his Puerto Rican identity and his love for an Italian woman named Renata (Valentina Cervi), Train wrestles with his faith and his guilt over accidentally killing a fellow soldier, and Negron tries to come to terms with his past mistakes and seek redemption.
The History
Miracle at St. Anna sheds light on a little-known aspect of World War II history: the role played by African-American soldiers in Europe. The 92nd Division, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers, was one of two all-black infantry divisions that fought in Italy alongside white troops. Despite facing discrimination, prejudice, and segregation both at home and abroad, these soldiers proved their valor and determination on the battlefield.
The movie also highlights the contribution of Italian resistance fighters who aided Allied forces in sabotaging Nazi operations and providing crucial intelligence. Their bravery came at a great cost as they faced brutal reprisals from retaliating Germans.
The Casts
Miracle at St. Anna features an ensemble cast of talented actors who bring their characters to life with authenticity and nuance. Derek Luke delivers a commanding performance as Sergeant Stamps, portraying him as a tough yet compassionate leader who harbors secrets from his past.
Michael Ealy shines as Corporal Soto, infusing him with charm, wit, and vulnerability as he navigates his dual identity. Omar Benson Miller delivers a breakout turn as Train, imbuing him with a childlike innocence and humor that offset his tragic subplot.
Laz Alonso anchors the movie with his portrayal of Negron, conveying his character’s regrets and hopes with subtlety and depth. Pierfrancesco Favino is remarkable as the conflicted Peppi, torn between his loyalty to his country and his moral duty to help others.
The supporting cast is also strong, with Valentina Cervi, Matteo Sciabordi, Christian Berkel, John Turturro, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivering memorable turns in their respective roles.
The Score
Miracle at St. Anna boasts a stirring score composed by Terence Blanchard that evokes the mood and spirit of the movie. The music ranges from hauntingly beautiful melodies to soaring symphonic pieces that complement the action on screen.
The use of Italian folk songs and operatic arias adds a layer of authenticity to the movie’s setting while underscoring its emotional impact. The score serves as a reminder of the power of music to convey humanity’s shared experience even amidst war and strife.
The Filming
Miracle at St. Anna was filmed on location in Tuscany, Italy, adding to its sense of realism and authenticity. Spike Lee’s direction is deft and assured, capturing both the beauty and brutality of wartime landscapes.
The battle scenes are visceral and intense without resorting to excessive gore or glorification of violence. The use of slow-motion shots and close-ups showcases the heroism and sacrifice of individual soldiers while conveying the chaos and confusion of war.
The movie also features stunning aerial shots that highlight the vastness of the landscape while emphasizing the scale of the conflict. The film’s sepia-toned flashback sequences add a sense of nostalgia while contrasting with the present-day scenes.
The Popularity
Despite its critical acclaim, Miracle at St. Anna was a commercial disappointment when it was released in 2008. The movie grossed only $9 million at the box office against its $45 million budget.
Some critics attributed its lackluster reception to its length, pacing, and uneven tone. Others suggested that the marketing failed to attract a wider audience beyond Spike Lee’s fan base or African-American moviegoers.
Nevertheless, the movie has gained a cult following in recent years, with many viewers discovering its merits and relevance. Its themes of racial equality, social justice, and human compassion resonate with current events and struggles.
The Awards
Miracle at St. Anna received mixed reviews from critics upon its release but garnered some awards recognition. Terence Blanchard’s score earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score while Spike Lee won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture.
The Cinematography
Miracle at St. Anna features stunning cinematography by Matthew Libatique that captures both the beauty and horror of war-torn Italy. Libatique’s use of hues ranging from lush greens to desaturated browns creates an immersive sense of time and place.
His camera work emphasizes the humanity and heroism of characters while highlighting their vulnerabilities and flaws. The aerial shots and tracking shots contribute to the movie’s epic scope while retaining its intimacy.
The Analysis
Miracle at St. Anna is a complex and ambitious movie that deserves closer analysis beyond its surface plot and characters. One way to approach it is through the lens of trauma theory, which examines how individuals cope with traumatic experiences such as war or violence.
The movie portrays the soldiers’ struggle with PTSD or survivor guilt as they try to make sense of their wartime actions and losses. Negron’s traumatic flashbacks and outbursts can be seen as symptoms of unresolved trauma that he represses until they resurface.
The movie also explores the concept of moral injury, which refers to the psychological wounds caused by transgressing one’s moral code or witnessing others’ actions that violate it. Stamps’ guilt over his involvement in a massacre of innocent civilians and Soto’s dilemma of choosing between love and duty reveal the complexities of moral decision-making in wartime.
Finally, the movie can be analyzed in light of its themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and redemption. The soldiers’ bond and camaraderie are tested by their differences in race, ethnicity, and nationality, but ultimately they unite against a common enemy.
Their willingness to risk their lives for one another and for strangers represents a form of sacrificial love that transcends self-interest. The movie’s ambiguous ending invites interpretation and discussion around the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.
The Dialogue
Miracle at St. Anna features insightful dialogue that conveys characters’ personalities, backgrounds, and motivations effectively. McBride’s script captures the cadence and slang of African-American vernacular while avoiding stereotypes or caricatures.
The banter between the soldiers creates a sense of camaraderie and humor that offsets the serious tone of the movie. The Italian characters’ use of dialects adds authenticity to their portrayal while highlighting their distinct regional identities.
The Criticism
Despite its many merits, Miracle at St. Anna has been criticized for various reasons by some viewers. Some have found fault with its pacing or length, arguing that it could have been trimmed or condensed without losing its impact.
Others have accused Spike Lee of being too didactic or heavy-handed in his message about racial inequality or patriotism. Some have questioned his choice to include an Italian character speaking for Black Americans rather than letting them speak for themselves.
Some have also criticized certain plot points as contrived or implausible, such as Negron’s ability to hide out in Italy for decades without being discovered or Angelo’s miraculous survival despite his young age and vulnerability.
The Production
Miracle at St. Anna was produced by Touchstone Pictures and financed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The movie faced some challenges during its production, including a hurricane that damaged the set and delayed filming.
Spike Lee also had to navigate a contentious dispute with Italian MPs who criticized the movie’s portrayal of Italy’s role in WWII and accused him of historical inaccuracies or stereotypes. Lee defended his perspective as an artist and argued that he aimed to tell a universal story about humanity rather than a partisan or political one.
The Editing
Miracle at St. Anna’s editing is expertly done, keeping the audience engaged with the story while maintaining the flow of action and emotion. Barry Alexander Brown’s editing captures both the intimacy and scope of each scene, focusing on characters’ reactions while interspersing them with panoramic shots of landscapes or battles.
The use of flashbacks adds complexity to the narrative while avoiding confusion or repetition. The cross-cutting between different plotlines creates tension and suspense while reinforcing the themes of brotherhood and sacrifice.
The Special Effects
Miracle at St. Anna doesn’t rely heavily on special effects, but it does feature some impressive practical effects that enhance its realism. The battle scenes are choreographed with precision and attention to detail, relying on practical explosions, gunfire, and stunts rather than CGI.
The makeup department creates convincing wounds, scars, and prosthetics that convey characters’ injuries realistically without distracting from their performances. The use of miniatures for certain scenes, such as the bridge demolition sequence, adds texture and dimension to the action.
The Gossip
Miracle at St. Anna didn’t generate much gossip or controversy beyond its critical reception or box office numbers. However, some have speculated about Spike Lee’s motivations for making it or his relationship with Italian culture.
Others have pointed out potential parallels between Negron’s backstory and Lee’s own family history, as his father was a veteran who suffered from PTSD and committed suicide. Some have also questioned whether the movie’s depiction of Black soldiers in Italy is historically accurate or complete.
The Soundtracks
Miracle at St. Anna features a diverse soundtrack that reflects the different cultural influences in the movie. It includes Italian folk songs, operatic arias, jazz standards, and contemporary tracks that complement the mood and tone of each scene.
One standout song is “T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do” performed by Bessie Smith, which underscores a pivotal moment between Soto and Renata. The use of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” over the end credits adds an ironic touch to the movie’s bittersweet ending.
The Conclusion
Miracle at St. Anna may not be Spike Lee’s most popular or acclaimed movie, but it deserves recognition for its ambition, scope, and depth. It tells a story that highlights marginalized voices and perspectives while exploring universal themes of humanity.
Its characters are flawed yet relatable, their struggles resonate with our own doubts and fears. Its production values are impressive yet unobtrusive, enhancing rather than distracting from the story. Its music and visuals are haunting yet beautiful. Its message may be didactic yet necessary.
Miracle at St. Anna is a reminder that even amidst war and tragedy, there can be moments of grace and humanity that can transcend race, nationality, or ideology. It asks us to confront our past mistakes with honesty and seek redemption through sacrifice and brotherhood.
In Hector Negron’s words: “We fought so we could live as free men in America…We should always remember who we were fighting for.”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 160
- Release : 2008-09-15
- Genre : Drama, War
- Cast : Derek Luke as 2nd Staff Sergeant Aubrey Stamps, Michael Ealy as Sergeant Bishop Cummings, Laz Alonso as Corporal Hector Negron, Omar Benson Miller as Private First Class Sam Train, Pierfrancesco Favino as Peppi ‘The Great Butterfly’ Grotta
- Crew : Jon Kilik as Executive Producer, Matthew Libatique as Director of Photography, Spike Lee as Director, Spike Lee as Producer, Terence Blanchard as Original Music Composer
- Popularity 13.732
- Budget : $45,000,000
- Revenue : $9,323,833
- Company : 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, On My Own, Touchstone Pictures
- Summary : Miracle at St. Anna chronicles the story of four American soldiers who are members of the all-black 92nd “Buffalo Soldier” Division stationed in Tuscany, Italy during World War II.
- Tagline : World War II had its heroes and its miracles.
