Review of Into the Storm (2009) by Johann M — 15 Aug 2017

Obviously this ought to be viewed by every high school student everywhere. If I were in charge, I'd be standing there with a laser pointer, stopping the film and making remarks all the way through.

Afterwards, there would be a test. You're lucky I'm not in charge. As long and demanding a watch as this film is, it's not a fraction as long as living through that period of time was, so I don't want to hear any whining.

I'm going to make my kids watch this one. I'm just sorry I didn't do so already. This film is historically accurate, visually lush, well paced. I only wish someone has mentioned just once that Winston's Mother was American.

I especially enjoyed seeing the portrayal of the unheated, noisy, uncomfortable pre jet engine airplanes upon which that bulldog of a man was traveling. How many of you have crossed an ocean like that, eh? Did I mention Stalin? All of that is true, his toast to Winston's valet, for instance.

Some of us had to study all this at college, spending good money to do so, using these objects called "books," and "lectures," and though I still recommend those methods, a film like this can and should be the shoe horn that gets the student into the subject no matter how woolly the sock of ignorance with which they were fitted.

Inspiring movie.