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While this movie got mixed reviews, I personally cosidered it one of Spike Lee’s best movies. Miracle at St. Anna follows four black soldiers of the all-black 92nd Infantry Division who get trapped near a small Tuscan village on the Gothic Line during the Italian Campaign of World War II after one of them risks his life to save an Italian boy.

The story is inspired by the August 1944 Sant’Anna di Stazzema massacre perpetrated by the Waffen-SS in retaliation to Italian partisan activity. There is also a reference to a sculpted head from Ponte Santa Trinita in Florence that acts as a plot device.

Even at 2 hours and forty minutes the movie keeps a good pace. There is ample graphic violence. The acting is superb as is the cinamatography. I would hope that this would get strong consideration at the least best supporting actor and so far a potential contender for best movie. While I would say that Robert Downey, Jr. should get best actor for either Tropic Thunder or maybe Iron Man, currently the only other contender for best movie so far this season has been The Dark Knight.

This movie probably won’t apppeal to every one, however, it is definitely one not to be ignored. Spike Lee will probably be best remember for his docudrama, When the Levees Broke, this is a movie not to be missed. It will not leave you feeling good, but it will certainly give you pause and make you think.

Rating: 4.7 out of 5