Silent Night in Algona

What a great story that was shared here and how it was back in Algona, Iowa during that time. This movie was absolutely terrific. The way the movie was produced I felt as if I was sitting next to the characters in the movie. The wide vary emotions of the different scenes took control and I was riveted trying to help those guys out. I loved the compassion and empathy that the LTC had for the German prisoners. I could connect with that feeling that he had hoping that our boys on the other side were being treated as well as they were treated here in the states. What a great example of leadership that he displayed for his men on how to treat the POWs correctly, including the the despicable Captain from the Provost Marshall office who needed it desperately.

I rented and have now purchased the movie. Definitely don't miss out on the history of WWII here in our country.

In 1944, Camp Algona is established, which would end up housing around 10,000 Axis prisoners. Work programs for inmates supplemented the depleted workforce in America, such as the local Hormel factory, and included harvesting crops, such as at the Tietz farm. Meanwhile the Germans are working on a secret project that is unveiled to the populace at Christmas.

"Silent Night in Algona" (2022) works as a lowkey drama about one of over 400 such camps in America. Don't expect explosions or over-the-top thrills. The 'action' is the believable tensions of the time period and situation. Everything wraps up for an effective close and relevant details, but you have to be in the mood for a period drama to appreciate it.

Brunette beauty Christina Loeffler is notable in a small role on the feminine front.

It runs 2 hours, 18 minutes, and was shot in north-central Iowa in Whittemore, which is just west of Algona, and Forest City, which is northeast of there. Algona is 135 miles north of Des Moines, 175 miles southwest of Minneapolis and 275 miles northwest of Davenport.

GRADE: B/B-

While the premise of this movie is interesting it is however squandered by a much too long run time, too many characters, questionable special effects, a unlikeable lead character followed by some less then acceptable performances.

If anything, this could have been a really good episode of Rod Serling's the Twilight Zone. It would have benefitted from a shorter run time, tighter scope and a focus on the interpersonal relationships of the prisoners and townspeople following in the footsteps of Serling's writings.

We did not get that unfortunately. This movie was trying too hard to do it all and it didn't need to be. I left the theater thinking what could have been, it had potential.

My son and I really enjoyed this movie and even though it is rather long, I stayed interested all the way through the end. I felt like it was a good movie with a history lesson as well. My sister lives near Algona and I live about 3 hours away. I was completely unaware there was a POW camp there. I plan on visiting Algona this summer to learn more about the history of this POW camp. It has peaked my interest to learn more about other POW camps in the midwest as well. I think it's important to learn about history and I plan to involve my grandchildren in learning more about this particular story.

In a world where film 'ratings' often are based on the bizarre or the wicked, comes a true story where genuine humanity and relationships prevail during a dark and difficult time in our nation's history.

Discover the 'little known' story of a small rural Iowa town where a World War II prison camp housed thousands of young soldiers, far from their German homeland. Meet the families from the community who are suffering economically and without their own soldier men and sons available to support their farming and harvest operations.

And experience the relationships that are forged when 'enemies' are thrown together to help one another through difficult times.

Relationships from that time have endured generations. The amazing half-life size Nativity Scene (gift from the prisoners) is still viewed by thousands each year. See the film, visit the community, and immerse yourself in a heart-warming depiction of a historic tale that the news headlines did not cover.