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Parents' Guide to

Saints and Soldiers

By Brian Costello, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Thoughtful, engaging World War II movie has battle violence.

Movie PG-13 2005 90 minutes
Saints and Soldiers Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 1 parent review

Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth I. Adult
April 22, 2018
age 14+

Beautiful sad story about self sacrifice

Saints and Soldiers may have been a low budget film, but it was beautifully done, with amazing actors. I for sure cried when I saw it the first time. There is a little bit of violence and blood, but nothing extreme at all. A few profanities, a little infrequent language and maybe 1 or 2 sexual innuendoes. But other than that, it is fine. Such a powerful movie, especially for young-older teens to watch.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In the immediate aftermath of the Malmedy massacre, four American soldiers escape and try to figure out a way to get out of being deep behind enemy lines. One soldier nicknamed "Deacon" is shell-shocked after accidentally throwing a grenade into a bombed-out church where two women and six kids were hiding, and the other soldiers try to keep him from losing his mind. As they start trying to find their way back to the Allied side of France, they come across a British paratrooper named Winley. Winley insists that they need to get back to friendly forces as soon as possible, because he has reports of a German army attack that could kill thousands of Allied soldiers. Together, the five soldiers face incredible difficulties as they fight the winter, German soldiers, and themselves as they try to get along and survive and get valuable information to Allied commanders.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (2 ):

All in all, SAINTS AND SOLDIERS proves that a great story with a low budget is always better than a lousy story with a big budget. The acting is strong, and the production is solid. Although the story occasionally veers dangerously close to wartime clichés -- the soldier who just wants to "kill some Krauts," the snobby British soldier, one-liners riffing on the theme of "war is hell" -- war, unlike so many other movies, is not glorified or glamorized here. The bullets fired don't care if the characters are heroes or not. The characters do break out of their archetypes into three dimensions, and even the enemy and the civilians emerge as human.

Although it's certainly a movie more likely to be enjoyed by fans of World War II-set films, the movie's themes of faith, valor, and camaraderie should have appeal even if war movies aren't a family's favorite. It isn't the greatest war film ever made, but it's thoughtful and engaging on its own terms.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about World War II movies. Why do you think there's such an enduring appeal to movies set during World War II?

  • How is the violence of war conveyed in this movie? Is it too graphic or not graphic enough, since this is intended to be a depiction of warfare?

  • Do you think it would have mattered to the overall story if the movie had a larger budget? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

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