Miracle at St. Anna (2008)

Spike Lee has taken us once again on another historical trip but this time he has mixed it up with a taste of fantasy and a touch of magic. In this film, Spike takes us to 1944 Italy where we see the story of four Black American soldiers who get trapped in a Tuscan village during WWII. In addition to the war story we are also introduced to an intertwining plot of one of the solidier Sam Train (played by Omar Benson Miller, Transformers) who in particular risks his own life to save an Italian boy, which in the end makes a full circle. For those unfamiliar with the story of Sant'Anna di Stazzema, in August 1944 a massacre occurs killing a numerous church worshippers perpetrated by the Waffen-SS, which is in retaliation to the Italian partisan activity.

While trapped in the Tuscan village the four soldiers are also holding onto a priceless piece of history, a sculpted head from Ponte Santa Trinita in Florence. This head serves as a magical tool that gives an invincible strength in more ways than one.

Once again Spike brings us a cast of excellent new, rising , and seasoned actors/actresses [Derek Luke, Micheal Ealy, Laz Alonso, John Turturro, D.B. Sweeney, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kerry Washington]. With a great film and cast of characters the audience is also graced with the musical score of longtime friend and composer Terence Blanchard. Miracle at St. Anna, gives us a look into WWII from a different perspective which is not normally expected.

With the times that we are in now with the Iraq war, this film sheds light on a brighter side on the U.S. during this war time. Lee does a fine job of showing us into the present and then taking us back in the past for an explanation of events. So often we see war movies, but the lead roles are not African American, in this film we get to see FOUR of them!!

Lee also makes sure to present the social and political issues during that time which are still relevant to today. Race, class, social 7 economic status still hold true to form even in the 21st century, almost 65 years later after the war. Even in the midst of it all, the film however does tend to jump around sometimes maybe confusing the audience, as well as include unnecessary scenes; but overall serves its purpose of documenting the contributions of African Americans in WWII.

Grade: B+