Its always interesting to learn the other sides perspective. Independent state of Croatia was de facto Nazi puppet state, with awful war crimes in extermination camps. Even ordinary German army reported crimes as extreme.
Nevermind, as every puppet state it emulated a country, even being funded by Greater Reich. This is a story of its last days, when complete ISC army decided to retreat and to try to surrender to Western Allies.
Surely, amongst them were forcefully mobilized soldiers, that should be distinguished from Ustashe blackshirts (kind of like ordinary Wermacht and SS). Movie tries to show human side of ordinary men, compeling as similar war movies of war prisoners that suffered (Bridge on River Kwai, US Bantaan prisoners).
While it presents some of the facts (that UK/US Army refused to accept them as prisoners, that they had a long march and uncertain destiny, as well as that many were shot in Blaiburg without any trial) it omits several facts such as that World War II already ended, and that this force continued to fight. It was last Axis force in Europe.As well as that agreement among Allies was that Axis combatants are to be surrendered to theater they are combating).
In overall, I liked the first half of movie showing more human side of Croatian forces, then second one, trying to present communists as evil Gremlins, completely dehumanized and blood thirsty. Completely unrealistic, even yes, a lot of people were in anger due to crimes of Independent state of Croatia.
Sadly, high heads like Pavelic managed to escape. More balanced story of how people were involved in war without likeness would be better then trying to kind of justify Independent State of Croatia.
Croats have history and identity before that Axis puppet state, no need for such movies. Just another mirror or madness of ex-Yu fallout.
Nevermind, as every puppet state it emulated a country, even being funded by Greater Reich. This is a story of its last days, when complete ISC army decided to retreat and to try to surrender to Western Allies.
Surely, amongst them were forcefully mobilized soldiers, that should be distinguished from Ustashe blackshirts (kind of like ordinary Wermacht and SS). Movie tries to show human side of ordinary men, compeling as similar war movies of war prisoners that suffered (Bridge on River Kwai, US Bantaan prisoners).
While it presents some of the facts (that UK/US Army refused to accept them as prisoners, that they had a long march and uncertain destiny, as well as that many were shot in Blaiburg without any trial) it omits several facts such as that World War II already ended, and that this force continued to fight. It was last Axis force in Europe.As well as that agreement among Allies was that Axis combatants are to be surrendered to theater they are combating).
In overall, I liked the first half of movie showing more human side of Croatian forces, then second one, trying to present communists as evil Gremlins, completely dehumanized and blood thirsty. Completely unrealistic, even yes, a lot of people were in anger due to crimes of Independent state of Croatia.
Sadly, high heads like Pavelic managed to escape. More balanced story of how people were involved in war without likeness would be better then trying to kind of justify Independent State of Croatia.
Croats have history and identity before that Axis puppet state, no need for such movies. Just another mirror or madness of ex-Yu fallout.