The Damned
2024
Drama / History

The Damned
2024
Drama / History
Plot summary
Winter 1862. In the midst of the Civil War, the US Army sends a company of volunteer soldiers to the western territories, with the task of patrolling the unchartered borderlands. As their mission ultimately changes course, the meaning behind their engagement begins to elude them.
Director
Tech specs
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Sad that the audience doesn't get it
Most boring movie I've seen in 8 decades
Nice beards. Nice scenes of Civil Way soldiers walking in snow, and loading period correct weapons...
Don't worry about subs.. there isn't more than 10 minutes of dialogue throughout the whole 80 minutes of videos. You will not need subs.. nothing significant is ever said. Watch to video.. characters only say things like "this how you fire this rifle, or pistol".
If this were a porn flick, you would only see a male and female actor gazing into each other's eyes for 75 minutes, and then it would exciting if one actor needed to blow their nose. Only positive thing in this movie is it takes place in some mountains somewhere, men have nice beards and somewhat period correct weapons.
Ordinary People At War.
The Damned: The winter of 1862, a volunteer unit of Union soldiers has been sent to defend mountain territory, we're not told where it is, we don't even find out the names of the soldiers. After the regular troops head off, they are under the command of a John Brown style patriarch with a flowing beard, his teen sons have also enlisted. The troops are a mixed lot, some middle aged, even old, most in their thirties. All lacking in military experience, They share knowledge and skills are transferred. We witness mobile sentries, potshots at distant riders. A buffalo is shot and butchered, The bleak landscape, hills, mountain meadows, the drifting snow, the cold rations running low all add to a developing sense of existential despair. A battle takes place, we don't see the enemy, we do see the unit's casualties. War is hell, especially when you don't know why you're there anymore. Very much a Ken Loach style film with no set dialogue from day to day and many ordinary people acting, amateur like the soldiers. This improvisation leads to philosophical, religious and political discussions around campfires. Some of which outstay their welcome. But it's a minor distraction from this raw portrayal of men at war. Written and directed by Roberto Minervini, 8/10.