A Midnight Clear (1992) is a war drama film directed by Keith Gordon, based on the 1982 novel by William Wharton. Set during World War II, the story follows a group of young American soldiers who are ᴀssigned to a remote location in the Ardennes Forest during the winter of 1944. Their mission is to observe enemy activity as the war nears its end, but they soon encounter a group of German soldiers who, rather than fighting, seem to want to surrender peacefully.
The film is unique in its portrayal of war, focusing less on combat and more on the psychological and emotional toll it takes on soldiers. Themes of brotherhood, the loss of innocence, and the futility of war are central to the narrative. The tension in the film arises from the soldiers’ moral dilemmas as they navigate a potential truce with the enemy, all while trying to survive the harsh winter conditions and the unpredictability of war.
With strong performances from an ensemble cast that includes Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise, and Peter Berg, A Midnight Clear is known for its somber tone, reflective pacing, and its depiction of the complexities of humanity amidst the chaos of war. The film was praised for its introspective approach to the war genre, focusing on character development and the emotional struggles of the soldiers.
