Miracle at St. Anna Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four Buffalo Soldiers get lost in Italy, find a magical statue head, and then Spike Lee yells at Clint Eastwood (not really, but kinda).

🍿 Miracle at St. Anna: Detailed Plot Synopsis

1983 New York: A Crime and a Clue

The film opens in 1983 New York City. Hector Negron, an elderly postal worker and WWII veteran, inexplicably shoots and kills a man in his post office. Police detectives investigate, and reporter Tim Boyle seeks the story. In Negron’s apartment, they discover a valuable Italian marble head, a piece missing since WWII, hinting at a hidden past.

Flashback: The Buffalo Soldiers in Italy, 1944

The story shifts to Italy in 1944, focusing on four members of the 92nd Infantry Division, the ‘Buffalo Soldiers,’ an all-Black unit fighting in WWII. The group – Staff Sergeant Aubrey Stamps, Sergeant Bishop Cummings, Corporal Hector Negron, and Private First Class Sam Train – are caught behind enemy lines after a disastrous attack.

Encounter with Angelo and the Village of Colognora

While stranded, Private Train discovers a traumatized young Italian boy named Angelo. They take the boy with them, finding refuge in the small Tuscan village of Colognora. The soldiers develop bonds with the villagers, experiencing moments of connection amidst the horrors of war. Tensions rise as the men grapple with the realities of combat, racism, and the complexities of human relationships.

Betrayal and the Looming German Counteroffensive

The soldiers contact their unit and are ordered to capture a German soldier for interrogation. With the help of Italian partisans, they secure a deserter, Hans Brandt. However, a traitor within the partisan group murders the German prisoner, concealing his own treachery. As the German counteroffensive approaches, the situation becomes increasingly perilous for the soldiers and the villagers.

The Miracle at St. Anna

A devastating battle ensues as the Germans attack Colognora. Private Train, who has formed a deep bond with Angelo, is killed protecting the boy. Sergeant Bishop Cummings is also killed in action. Staff Sergeant Stamps dies protecting the villagers, including Renata, a local woman caught in the crossfire. Negron survives, spared by a German officer who recognizes the futility of war. Angelo gives Negron the statue head, a symbol of good luck and resilience.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Aubrey Stamps (Derek Luke): A moral and honorable Staff Sergeant who leads his men through the dangers of war while grappling with the racial prejudices of his own country.
• Bishop Cummings (Michael Ealy): A charismatic but flawed Sergeant whose actions are driven by self-interest and complicated by his feelings for Renata.
• Hector Negron (Laz Alonso): A corporal haunted by his wartime experiences and driven to violence decades later due to a betrayal he witnessed.
• Sam Train (Omar Benson Miller): A gentle giant of a Private First Class with unwavering faith and a deep connection to the young Italian boy, Angelo.
• Angelo Torancelli (Matteo Sciabordi): A traumatized young Italian boy who forms a strong bond with the American soldiers, especially Sam Train, after surviving a massacre.
• Renata (Valentina Cervi): An Italian woman caught between two American soldiers and the dangers of wartime Italy.
• Detective Antonio ‘Tony’ Ricci (John Turturro): A detective investigating the post office shooting, and provides some insight into the events.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Livingston: “Safety is the greatest risk of all, because safety leaves no room for miracles and miracles are the only sure thing in life.” – Highlights the film’s theme of faith and the unexpected events that shape lives.
• Private First Class Sam Train: “Chocolate Giant!” – Sam Train is affectionately nicknamed ‘Chocolate Giant’ by Angelo, forging a heartwarming bond amid the war’s chaos.
• German Officer Eicholz: “Defend yourself.” – Spoken by a German officer as he spares Negron, highlighting the complex moral ambiguities of war.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $45,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,919,117
• Worldwide Gross: $9,333,654

💥 Miracle at St. Anna Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love this movie, especially because it was telling a story I hadn’t heard before. The parts with Omar Benson Miller and the little boy were truly touching. Those scenes really made the film. It was a lot to take in, and I definitely felt the length. But those little moments of genuine connection made it worthwhile for me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of war dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in WWII history”
  • “Those seeking stories about racial injustice”
  • “Fans of Spike Lee films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic war violence”
  • “Racial slurs”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Spike Lee’s ‘Miracle at St. Anna’ is an ambitious but flawed war epic. While it attempts to shed light on the experiences of black soldiers in WWII, its sprawling narrative and uneven pacing ultimately detract from its impact. The battle scenes are visceral, but the film’s length and multiple subplots make it a challenging watch.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘Miracle at St. Anna’ tackles a crucial, underexplored aspect of World War II – the experiences of black soldiers. It presents moments of profound emotion and unflinching realism, balanced with elements of magic realism. While not without its issues, the film creates a compelling and thought-provoking narrative on the complexities of war, racism, and redemption.

Audience Reactions

The powerful bond between Private Train and the Italian boy was incredibly heartwarming.: Viewers appreciated the film’s attempt to portray the overlooked contributions of black soldiers during WWII.

The film’s exploration of racism within the U.S. Army struck a chord with many viewers.: The battle scenes, while graphic, were praised for their realism and intensity.

Overall Consensus: A sprawling and ambitious war epic that attempts to highlight the experiences of black soldiers in WWII, but is ultimately weighed down by its length and multiple subplots. The performances and touching moments offer some redemption.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on James McBride’s novel of the same name, who also wrote the screenplay. Spike Lee was drawn to the story due to its focus on the experiences of African American soldiers during World War II, a perspective often overlooked in mainstream war films.”
• “Samuel L. Jackson was initially offered the role of Corporal Hector Negron but turned it down to work on another film.”
• “The film features extensive use of Italian and German languages, adding to its authenticity and immersion.”
• “Spike Lee has been critical of films about war, such as Clint Eastwood’s “Flags of Our Fathers”, and “Letters From Iwo Jima”, for depicting only the white U.S. soldiers were the ones who fought for this country.”

🖥️ How to Watch Miracle at St. Anna?

Miracle at St. Anna is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check JustWatch to find all the ways to watch in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Miracle at St. Anna, you might like these similar films:

• Red Tails (2012): Focuses on the Tuskegee Airmen, another group of African American soldiers during World War II, highlighting their bravery and skill.
• Glory (1989): Tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African American regiments in the Union Army during the Civil War, dealing with themes of racism and courage.
• The Longest Day (1962): Presents a multi-perspective view of D-Day, similar to how ‘Miracle at St. Anna’ aims to offer a broader view of WWII experiences.
• Da 5 Bloods (2020): Directed by Spike Lee, this film also explores the experiences of Black soldiers, this time during the Vietnam War, and the lasting impact of those experiences.

🛒 Miracle at St. Anna Related Products

• Miracle at St. Anna (Novel) by James McBride: Explore the source material! Delve deeper into the story with the original novel by James McBride. An essential companion to the film.
• WWII US Army Buffalo Soldiers T-Shirt: Show your support and honor the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers with this vintage-style t-shirt.
• Terence Blanchard: Miracle at St. Anna Soundtrack: Experience the emotional score from the movie. Available for digital download.
• 1/6 Scale World War II US 92nd Infantry Division Buffalo Soldier Action Figure: Detailed 1/6 scale action figure of a US 92nd Infantry Division Buffalo Soldier, honoring the valor and sacrifices of these brave men during World War II.

🎧 Soundtrack

Miracle at St. Anna features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Faccetta Nera” – performed by Gustavo Cacini / Giuseppe Micheli / Vincenzo Raimondi / Arnaldo Stazzonelli
• “Victory” – performed by Terence Blanchard

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

4 Black Soldiers Get Trapped After Saving An Italian Boy

Want a quick rundown of the story? This recap video does a solid job of covering the main plot points, especially if you need a refresher after watching it a while ago.

Miracle at St. Anna German 88 Flak

See a bit of the film’s action firsthand! This clip showcases some of the movie’s take on WW2, which is pretty raw and intense in my opinion.

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