Land of Mine

Name: Land of Mine
Genre: Drama, History, War
Released: December 9, 2016
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Joel Basman, Laura Bro, Louis Hofmann, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Roland Møller

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 56 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 56 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 9, 2016 | R

Starring: Joel Basman, Laura Bro, Louis Hofmann, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Roland Møller, Zoe Zandvliet

Summary: As World War Two comes to an end, a group of German POWs, boys rather than men, are captured by the Danish army and forced to engage in a deadly task – to defuse and clear land mines from the Danish coastline. With little or no training, the boys soon discover that the war is far from over. Inspired by real events, Land of Mine exposes theAs World War Two comes to an end, a group of German POWs, boys rather than men, are captured by the Danish army and forced to engage in a deadly task – to defuse and clear land mines from the Danish coastline. With little or no training, the boys soon discover that the war is far from over. Inspired by real events, Land of Mine exposes the untold story of one tragic moment in post-war history. [Sony Pictures Classics]… Expand

Director: Martin Zandvliet

Genre(s): Drama, History, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 100 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Ann Hornaday

Mar 2, 2017

Both grimly naturalistic and infused with classical values at their most thoughtfully composed, Land of Mine is epic but deeply intimate; elegant but tough. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Mar 15, 2017

The masterful Land of Mine slowly, almost without notice, transforms into one of the most viscerally intense anti-war films since Dalton Trumbo’s "Johnny Got His Gun." Read full review

Gregory Ellwood

Sep 24, 2016

The characters are so well drawn (and the relatively young cast steps up to the plate) that combined with the material’s natural tension you’ll find yourself riveted to the proceedings. Read full review

Stephen Farber

Sep 24, 2016

The film works as a moving anti-war essay and as a gripping thriller. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Godfrey Cheshire

Feb 10, 2017

The German boys are very well cast, with young actors Louis Hofmann and Joel Basman especially giving the kind of striking performances that should lead to other films. Read full review

David D'Arcy

Sep 24, 2016

Despite the sense of fatalism and some clumsy turns in Zandvliet’s script, Land Of Mine achieves moments of chilling suspense. Read full review

Joe McGovern

Feb 10, 2017

Land of Mine is essentially bomb porn. Read full review

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User Reviews

netflic

Mar 13, 2017

This movie is based on historic facts when after the end of the Second World War thousands of German POW, many of them teenage boys, were used by Danish Army to defuse and clean up millions of land mines installed by Germans earlier on Danish beaches.

The film is authentic, honest andThis movie is based on historic facts when after the end of the Second World War thousands of German POW, many of them teenage boys, were used by Danish Army to defuse and clean up millions of land mines installed by Germans earlier on Danish beaches.

The film is authentic, honest and brutal, hard to watch at times. Great performances across the board.

It was nominated for Oscar in the category of Best Foreign movie but did not win. In my opinion, it is much better than the Iranian movie “The Salesman” that won it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

3ebfan511

Jun 6, 2018

Solid WW2 movie about a subject matter that has never gotten the "Hollywood" treatment. (and in this case was nominated for Best Foreign Film Oscar.) It was very worthy of the nomination and was pretty well done. The lead actor is especially good as the Sgt. in charge of the boys..andSolid WW2 movie about a subject matter that has never gotten the "Hollywood" treatment. (and in this case was nominated for Best Foreign Film Oscar.) It was very worthy of the nomination and was pretty well done. The lead actor is especially good as the Sgt. in charge of the boys..and the balance between befriending them, and instituting justice by making them perform their task. (of clearing planted mines from Dutch land.) If you like war movies at all...you will most likely enjoy this film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Feb 24, 2017

Teen POWs in the post WWII Denmark.

A Danish war-drama that was inspired by the historical account, but all the characters were fictional. Remember this title for another six month, because I am confident this film will make a journey to the west coast of the USA to compete at the 89thTeen POWs in the post WWII Denmark.

A Danish war-drama that was inspired by the historical account, but all the characters were fictional. Remember this title for another six month, because I am confident this film will make a journey to the west coast of the USA to compete at the 89th Academy Awards in the coming February. I have seen many foreign films, but I'm not this much positive for any others. If this film fails to make, then that would be a great disappointment despite having no idea of what are the other four films. So this is just for now, my stance may change later.

Anyway, the film was heartbreakingly amazing. The WWII stories I had seen those told from the perspectives of the Australian, Japanese, Korean, Russian to African and European to the American western sea, Hawaii. And this is a Danish story, sets in just after the end of the war where prisoners of the war were used to clean up the mess. In the opening the teen German POWs were trained to defuse the land mine explosives and then later the unit was handed over to the Danish sergeant Carl Rasmussen where they are all going to work in one of the west coast landmines that was used to defend the Scandinavia by the Nazi. That is the story told how it all ends in the remaining parts.

This was like another 'Kajaki', but not actually a war film. Using of the prisoners as the labourers is a violation, according to the Geneva rule. That's the point of the film, focused to reveal the inhume act. But it was not anything like 'The Railway Man' 'Unbroken' or the 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. Watching a film about the brave soldiers inspires us and bring patriotism, but in this those teen kid screaming whenever something goes wrong really brings heartache. So not everybody feels comfortable with it, especially the family audience. But there were lots of edgy moments and you would never know what events follows.

"If they are old enough to go to war, they are old enough to clean up."

It was shot is the real location, and I think that part contributed to depicting the actual atmosphere where most of the POWs lost their arms and legs and some exploded into many pieces in the air. It was a simple narration, but the visuals talked itself more than anything else. All the actors were outstanding, especially those 4-5 German teens and of course the Danish sergeant Carl. I think the Carl's influence had more impact, after seeing the opening scene where he went outrage and beat up those German soldiers returning home.

There are a couple of small twists, but there are some scenes which are not easy to get over. Even though we know those were just fake, but that does not work once you totally into the story deeply. This is a different kind of emotional film, something you rarely experience. The director who is also the writer must be appreciated for handling it perfectly. Especially keeping the screenplay uncomplicated and between the two nations, where in the real event involves the British officials. I have never seen his other films, but this one will define him forth and the people are going to recognise him. So I hope he'll keep up doing such level films in the future.

I have never seen such film, I mean seen some where the kids were tortured, but this was very unique and totally a different perspective for that takes place in the backdrop of the WWII. Especially the Germans perspective is the very rare kind. So I'm kind of thinking if Germany picks 'Look Who's Back' for the Oscars, the contest between these two would bring two different moods. At this point I don't remember any Danish film I have seen so far in my life other than this one which I feel is the best Danish film ever. I mean, come on, who would do such film where your own nation, if not the whole nation, the one who represent was shown in the negative shade over the Nazi Germans. This is definitely one of the best films of the year. Highly recommended.

8/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nicpame

Mar 18, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. tarkibe khoobi az fileme jangi ba chashnie drama. kargardani kheyli ghavi , bazi ha motavaset va filmbardari aalii. music aali. dastan saadeh vali gira.
besiar saadeh fahm… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

joaodestroyer

Feb 12, 2017

This is a very interesting movie. Going into the movie I wasn't expecting much, but after even just thirty minutes, one can see the shine that this movie has. It's a story about brotherhood, friendship, and justice, that continuously makes you feel for the characters involved in it. TheThis is a very interesting movie. Going into the movie I wasn't expecting much, but after even just thirty minutes, one can see the shine that this movie has. It's a story about brotherhood, friendship, and justice, that continuously makes you feel for the characters involved in it. The acting is good for the ages of the characters, and the resolution is satisfying. Definitely check this one out when there's nothing else to watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

KeithDow

Mar 24, 2017

Land of Mine is a refreshingly original and compelling post-war picture. As a result of the director filming much of the movie during the day’s Golden Hour, the film vividly presents a striking portraiture of serenity and beauty periodically shattered by horrific explosions.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Tyranian

Nov 1, 2019

Really good film about Germans clearing mines in post-war Denmark. Well-directed.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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