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Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon, Arye Gross, Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise ... see more see more... , Frank Whaley , Larry Joshua , Dave Jensen , Curt Lowens , Rachel Griffin , Kelly Gately , Andre Lamal , John C. McGinley , Bill Osborn , Timothy S. Shoemaker

Based on a novel by William Wharton, A Midnight Clear is set in the Adriennes Forest in December of 1944. A group of American GIs, all of whom have been together a bit too long, cling to the vestiges ... read more read more...of their peacetime interests to remain sane. None are brilliant soldiers, though Will Knot Ethan Hawke is the one who exhibits the strongest leadership qualities. Billeted at a chateau, the soldiers begin hearing strange noises emanating from a graveyard, the handiwork of a group of mischievous German soldiers. The two enemy camps draw closer to one another as Christmas approaches, due in great part to the influence of GI Vince "Mother" Wilkins Gary Sinise. A sudden, impulsive hostile act results in the wholesale -- and unnecessary -- slaughter of the German soldiers. Though the exteriors are convincingly mid-European, the film was actually lensed in Utah. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

78% liked it

3,296 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

25 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Keith Gordon

Release Date: April 24, 1992

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

Stats: 146 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (146)

  • threefolddado
    June 1, 2008
    threefolddado
    Captivating little war film. With a great cast.
  • MorpheusOne
    April 25, 2010
    MorpheusOne
    A rare movie, that has the title of "character driven story", so very much so that this movie is the very definition of it!
  • MovieGuruDude72
    December 19, 2009
    MovieGuruDude72
    If you're leery about viewing a typical cliched World War II movie I highly reccomend you put that sentiment aside and rent this film. Yes, this takes place on the German lines during WWII and is in all intents and purposes a war movie (complete with shooting and death), but the ... read morestoryline has really nothing to do with the war itself as much as non-human casualties and collateral damage of war. That damage including how war can destroy hope, goodness, mercy, goodwill toward men (and Christmas for that matter). Highly underrated and obscure. Don't expect a warm and fuzzy ending, even if it takes place at Christmastime. A great cast and a movie that will leave you feeling not in the mood for the holidays that's for sure.
  • skotjay
    November 23, 2009
    skotjay
    One of my favorite Christmas movies, please watch this during the holiday season if you get the chance.

View All A Midnight Clear Reviews

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

In A Midnight Clear, just about everything works. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

...It's a good film, and Gordon is uncanny in the way he suggests the eerie forest mysteries that permeate all of the action. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

...Gordon shows the kind of filmmaking talent that creates genuine excitement. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

A Midnight Clear tells a wartime yarn that's quietly, often lyrically, winning. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
July 6, 2010
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

It acknowledges war as a fact, but embraces pacifism. Full Review

December 5, 2008
Film4

This skilful adaptation of William Wharton's novel creates close relationships between each character. Strong performances and precise direction help maintain them to the surprise ending. Full Review

December 4, 2006
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The pristine, snowbound setting gives the film a still, other-worldly quality, and makes for some arresting images, particularly that of a German and an American corpse frozen in a posthumous embrace. Full Review

Derek Adams
February 9, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

The performances are uniformly excellent as the film moves inexorably towards bloody confrontation and spiritual reckoning. Full Review

Christopher Null
July 18, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

An all-star cast makes it wholly worthwhile. Full Review

Jon Niccum
September 20, 2002
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

One of the most underrated films of the '90s

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  • What actor appeared in Back to School (1986) and later went on to become a respected director whose titles include A Midnight Clear, Waking the Dead and The Singing Detective?  Answer »
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