Drága Elza! (2014)
9KDrága Elza! (2014). 1h 36m
“On the Eastern Front during WW2, a disheartened Hungarian soldier is constantly refused furlough (Gábor Makray) and captured by the Soviets wherein heu0026#39;s used as a u0026quot;trampler,u0026quot; a POW used to secure mined German-occupied areas for Soviet combatants; his mastery of several languages helps extend his life.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Dear Elza!u0026quot; (2014) is a Hungarian production that meshes u0026quot;Enemy at the Gatesu0026quot; (2001) with Indie-styled filmmaking à la u0026quot;Straight Into Darknessu0026quot; (2004) along with spiritual underpinnings in the mold of u0026quot;The Devilu0026#39;s Nightmare,u0026quot; aka u0026quot;The Devil Walks at Midnightu0026quot; (1971).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe paranormal angle is slight, so donu0026#39;t let that turn you away. If you like WW2 flicks that emphasize the harsh conditions of fighting in the snowy European woods, you should appreciate this. The colorful action is superbly done and makes you feel like youu0026#39;re in the midst of the combat. Manu0026#39;s inhumanity to man is emphasized (and by u0026#39;manu0026#39; I mean male and female; speaking of which, there are a few female militarists in this, which keeps things interesting).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe theme revolves around reality vs. hallucination and the moralistic tension between faith, instinct and reason. Some elements leave you scratching your head, including the ending. Meanwhile some of the editing early on is puzzling and almost derails the film, but if you donu0026#39;t mind ambiguity and relentlessly downbeat, brutal war flicks, give this one a watch.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe movie runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in Hungary.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGRADE: B”
