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Good start, but then it gets ruined

Absolutely Brilliant!

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

In Europe during World War II, Losey and Deming are deserters. One of the MPs calls Losey "Airborne" because he doesn't think much of the 82nd Airborne, or of "men who jump out of perfectly good airplanes." An explosion knocks the jeep off the road and at least one of the MPs is dead. A couple of others die after they encounter mines trying to get back to civilization. Deming swaps dog tags with one of the dead men, declares himself to be free, and orders Losey to come along.Deming has no compassion and constantly yells "Quit squawking and start walking." He also uses a lot of other language that didn't make it to broadcast TV. Losey does show compassion to others, though. Soon the men encounter a church that is mostly destroyed, and a priest who was driven mad. It appears the priest will come with them, but at some point he is no longer around. The men also find a horse which helps them reach a better destination.Every now and then we see what are either flashbacks of a better life in the United States, or visions of the war. One vision takes place in what is left of what appears to be a school. We see a teacher and happy children, whose lives are devastated by the war.Most of the movie takes place in a large industrial looking building, the type preservationists want to save in today's world. This one is in pretty bad shape, but the men see no real value to it for the Germans. Then two civilians show up. We have seen the woman before. Maybe it's the hair, but she looks like Susan Sarandon. Looking at the cast list and the actors' photos, I think she is Maria, played by Linda Thorson. A man is with her, and he is tough and a leader. His voice sounds like the man who used to introduce Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, but beyond that, I don't know which one he is. What is important that these two are taking care of a group of children, some of whom don't understand this isn't a game. One boy has no legs but has a lot of determination and gets around well. A girl, who Losey realizes was once beautiful when he sees a painting of her, wears a mask.Deming points a gun at the woman and demands to see everything, but declares her to be no Betty Grable. Later, everyone has to work together when a German unit shows up. And what happens then is pretty amazing.This appears to be a good movie, for those who like this sort of thing. There's not a lot of happiness here, but we see people get things done and stand tall despite obstacles, even though the two stars are nothing more than cowards at the beginning.The main adult actors all give good performances. I would also add the German officer to that list. He is not evil but just doing his job. At one point he states that he feels like a father to his men.The children do a great job, and I would single out the boy with no legs and the girl with no mask, even though neither says a word. You can just see their determination and courage.A few years ago a TV detective lost either his wife or his son in a car accident. When the son was alive everything appeared blue. That's how much of the movie is. Colors are much more vivid in the flashbacks and visions, though in one case Losey is having a nightmare and everything quickly turns blue, followed by bright orange when there are explosions. It's quite an effective technique. I do wish the brightly colored flashbacks had lasted longer and had more character development, because we really needed positive images.It's quite good if you like this sort of thing.

It's rare nowadays to see a film that keeps you thoroughly engrossed and focused for every single frame, this is such a film. The battle scenes and photography were first rate and the desolate locations suited the story well. The cast is phenomenal, and you generally care for each character, even Scott Macdonald who is a mean SOB, but gets redemption in the end. I must say if your looking for a horror ghost type movie,which is what I thought I was getting don't look here. This movie can be classified in the horror genre as it has a sort of dreamlike quality, and macabre, albeit beautiful overtones. If you want a direct supernatural horror/war movie I suggest Deathwatch, The Bunker, or Below. I might sound like a broken record here, but why can't such a brilliant piece of art such as this make it to the theater? There have just been so many dreadful mainstream genre films lately, that I just think people would embrace such a wonderful movie as Straight Into Darkness. In closing, I swear I didn't work on this movie, it's just that amazing, that I want everyone to see it. On a side note, fans of ABC's Lost will delight in the fact that Daniel Roebuck explodes unexpectedly here as well, if you watch the show, you'll know what i'm talking about.

I don't see how anyone could give this "gem" any good comments. Long, slow moving, drawn out storyline, barely visible plot, bad acting, absolutely pointless flashbacks/dream sequences. I could barely stand to watch the whole thing but I just had to see if ANYTHING would redeem this mess. The description on the CD case made it sound like a thriller on the edge of scary type of war movie. It wasn't sad, funny, scary or thrilling. It was just plain old boring. I haven't seen anything else by Jeff Burr but if this is the best he can do I'll avoid any of his other works like the plague! Save your money and rent something worthwhile, like Erasurehead.

Somehow this film has been under promoted, under acknowledged and under represented. It is true fine art. And moving and full of heart and brilliance. The film must have flowed from Burr's subconscious in a way that masterpieces are formed. It is definitely not a "horror" film. And it is much more than a WWII film. You can reach a vast and personal range of interpretations, but at the very least, it leaves you with something that will stay in your mind and soul for ever. Put it up there with "Shindlers List" at least.Someone please pass this on to Jeff. I think that he dosen't realize what he has created here.Thanks Jef Burr ...It takes lots of courage to express this kind of brilliance.