The war drama has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (Image: Miso Film/Netflix)
A little-known war film on Netflix is being hailed as an ‘exceptional masterpiece’ rivalling the likes of Saving Private Ryan – and the vast majority of viewers have probably never even come across it.
The underrated gem is rooted in a tragic and lesser-documented true incident from the Second World War, with audiences declaring it the ‘best war film of all time’.
The war drama centres on the true story of Operation Carthage, a catastrophic and harrowing WW2 event in which a British Royal Air Force (RAF) raid on March 21, 1945, resulted in the accidental bombing of the French-Danish Jeanne d’Arc School in Copenhagen, Denmark. The raid caused 123 civilian deaths, amongst them 87 schoolchildren and 18 adults who were present at the school.
The Bombardment, also known as The Shadow in My Eye and originally titled Skyggen i mit øje, is a 2021 Danish war drama that has left viewers ‘literally sobbing’. The film initially premiered in Denmark in 2021 before its distribution rights were subsequently acquired by Netflix, which added the war drama to its catalogue in March 2022.
Written and directed by Ole Bornedal, The Bombardment has captivated viewers from the ‘very first frame’, with audiences unable to stop praising its brilliance, reports Wales Online.
The perfectly-rated war film is available to stream on Netflix (Image: Miso Film/Netflix)
Starring Alex Høgh Andersen, Fanny Bornedal, Danica Curcic, Alban Lendorf, Caspar Phillipson, Patricia Schumann, Morten Suurballe, James Tarpey, and Susse Wold, viewers are declaring they have ‘never seen anything quite like this’ war film.
The film’s official plot states: “The fates of several Copenhagen residents collide when a WWII bombing mission accidentally targets a school full of children.”
Boasting a flawless 100% critics approval rating and 90% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Bombardment has garnered widespread acclaim from every corner.
One critic said of the film: “Haunting and visceral, Ole Bornedal’s beautifully shot film stays in your mind well after it’s over.”
While another reviewer added: “The Bombardment is an emotional drama with depressing moments and there are many scenes involving violence and injustice, so it isn’t a movie for the faint of heart. But it remains an important story and unapologetic portrayal of the brutality of war.”
The war film is based on true events from World War II (Image: Miso Film/Netflix)
A third critic wrote: “If you think you can handle the confronting subject matter, this is thoughtfully made and worth a watch.”
Viewers were equally enthralled by the war drama, with one saying: “Absolutely fantastic, heart breaking, intense all wrapped in one, amazing directing and even at the ending, moments stay in your mind. Great actors/actresses. Well portrayed. 5*”
While another audience review said: “Absolutely brilliant. Unlike any other war film I have ever seen. Mostly truthful in its historical portrayal of a terrible event. I was glued to the screen from the start. I will be watching this one again.”
One fan of the movie added: “Immaculate film making. Overflowing with superb craft and taste. A magnificent tribute to a brave people.”
While an IMDB user review reads: “Amazing Movie. I was transfixed from start to finish. Best movie I have seen in some time. Acting is very good, dubbing in English not distracting. The children and adult characters are interesting. The story is beyond moving. Some scenes definitely not for the faint of heart. I don’t give many movies a ten, I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like this. Simply brilliant.”
Another enthusiastic review said: “It’s not perfect, but it’s also one of the best WWII movies that I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot. The cinematography is impressive, with a number of unique shots and visuals. The characters are compelling, each one of them. I think the director did a great job of portraying the heart break and horror of war, without leaving the audience gutted completely.”
A heartfelt review of the film by a viewer reads: “This movie wrecked me. This is one of the best war movies I have ever seen. This is a masterpiece in storytelling. It makes you connect with the characters emotionally. I loved how they portrayed the children. I laughed with them and I cried with them.
“By the end of the movie I was an emotional mess, I was literally sobbing. No child should ever go through what those children went through. RIP.”
The Bombardment is available to stream on Netflix.