The approach of Christmas is felt on the snowy Western Front during World War II. During the early days of the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, a scouting unit ventures into the Ardennes forest, situated along the border of France and Germany, where they come across some German troops. The question becomes: who will live to celebrate Christmas? “A Midnight Clear” (1992) is an uncommon, artistic World War II film that centers on a patrol in the snowy woodland setting of the Battle of the Bulge. It feels more grounded than “Castle Keep” (1969), although it does have some similarities to that kind of movie. Although a few scenes could have been handled better and certain aspects of the story seem improbable or strange, it’s presented as an almost precise portrayal of author William Wharton's actual experiences—he wrote the 1982 novel which served as the basis for the screenplay. Director/screenwriter Keith Gordon really wanted to simply announce “This is a true story” at the beginning, but legal counsel wouldn’t permit it. Consequently, the disclaimer shown during the end credits is purposefully vague due to legal considerations. As for Keith, you might recall him from his roles in “Jaws 2” (1978) and particularly “Christine” (1982). Regardless, I found the winter war atmosphere within the woods enjoyable, featuring actors who appeared in “Platoon” (Kevin Dillon and John C. McGinley), “Dead Poets Society” (Ethan Hawke), and “Forrest Gump” (Gary Sinise). The creative direction was also a plus, as well as the music and how this small group of young men were shown facing a battle for their lives. While the film’s center does become somewhat slow and questionable at times, there is a point where it shifts, and from that moment on, the movie becomes quite absorbing. The film concludes with a memorable performance of "It Came upon a Midnight Clear" by Sam Phillips as the credits appear, leaving me feeling deeply affected and thoughtful. The runtime is 1 hour, 48 minutes, and filming took place in the Park City area of north-central Utah. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB