Film No. 46 (2016) Land of Mine July 24th.

Film No. 46 (2016) July 24th.  4.15 PM LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge. 

"I told you so, he may as well line us up and shoot us" (the words of a frightened young POW about to play his role as a sweeper on a Danish beach).

The fact that Denmark and more particularly its western coastline was such a strategic point, if somewhat misguidedly, for the German army during World War II is a fact often lost on many of we amateur historians. During Germany's 5 year occupation, 1.5 million land mines were set along the Danish beaches in anticipation of a D Day style allied invasion. Come wars end, 2,000 germans were rounded up to complete the dangerous chore of "cleaning up their mess". Over half of those ordered to disarm and remove the mines either died or were severely injured.


Many of those soldiers were boys of 17 to 19 years of age; a part of Hitler's youth rushed into battle when all was lost. Land of Mine tells a gripping human tale of a small battalion of these boys, under the command of their Sergeant, as they embark on the task of clearing a windswept beach of 45,000 disc and box mines. In the mold of Joyeux Noel a powerful human force glues us to our seats in a way only deeply affecting cinema can.


The boys have a charm from the very first time we meet them. Our empathy for the lads is given air early on. In a tense, crash course on mine disarmament, each boy disarms their canister with a style which becomes as unique as each personality we are about to take to heart. Enter sergeant Rasmussen (Rolan Moller) and his dog, Rasmussen is an iron fisted loner ordered to oversee these young unknowing "lions".


We are manipulated, if clumsily at times, however our compliance is whole hearted because technically the film is edited with precision. Sgt Rasmussen becomes a father figure of sorts to the boys as inevitable tragedy strikes, often suddenly and without warning. His mood swings confuse, especially as prior trust and loyalty scenes were seemingly set in stone. But the ending is brilliantly timed and never laboured. Land of Mine is a treat! 10GUMS.