The Silent Mountain

source: The Silent Mountain

The "White War" was a vicious Ww1 struggle between Austria-Hungary and Italy, relatively unknown to Amercans- one setting of Hemingway s "Farewell to Arms" was also set in this also set in The Austrian Tyrol and Italian Dolomites. It displays the brutal internicine fighting between both Both Austrian Tyroleans and their oft close Italian neighbors. The love stories center around two married couples, torn apart by the changing frontlines, one would end tragically, the other survive the ending, in rather a grim, somewhat bitter end. The fighting scenes, the acting are very well done and.rather emotionally taxing. The photography and spectacular scenery are, by themselves, a real visual treat. Interesting to note that although Austrians won, in a hollow victory, the region was relegated at war's end to Italy, but the same ethnic mix has survived to this day.

Strange war movie that had a great deal of potential that turned cruel and unrealistic. The movie had good characters and casting but a poor storyline that left the viewer shaking their head at the ending.

"The Silent Mountain" or "Der stille Berg" is an Austrian movie from two years ago, 2014. The director is Ernst Gossner and the writer is Clemens Aufderklamm and these two are probably the main reason why this is credited here on IMDb as a German-language film, even if there are also several other languages spoken during these 100 minutes. This multi-cultural touch comes mostly from lead actor William Moseley, but also from several of the supporting players, including the pretty legendary Italian actress Claudia Cardinale. The only other cast member I am somewhat familiar with in here is Austrian actor Fritz Karl, who plays a bit of an antagonist. Unfortunately, this film is just another example of how it seems to be so much more difficult to make a great film about World War I than about World War II. I found none of the action too interesting and same can be said about the characters. This is especially a negative deal-breaker as the entire film basically relies on you caring for the main character's love relationship with the biggest supporting character. But this part did not convince me at all and this is a bit surprising as it is usually the war action that I care the least about in these kind of films. But here it was possibly the best aspect of the entire film, or maybe the second best closely behind the occasionally stunning cinematography. As the title already tells us, a lot of the action takes place in the mountains and it's a great location for every gifted cinematographer of course. There was one scene in particular when we the the snowy mountainside from far far up high and see occasional explosions and this also showed us how small we and our struggles are in the grand scheme of things I guess. But this description from me should also tell people that this film is, for the most part, a case of style over substance and I think really only those should see it who have a huge huge interest in World War I and have basically seen everything else, so they restrict themselves to it. Thumbs down from me and I suggest you watch something else instead.