"'Blood & Gold': A Gritty World War II Film with Dark Humor
Directed by Peter Thorwarth and written by Stefan Barth, "Blood & Gold" is a German war film set in the waning days of World War II. The film follows Heinrich, a deserter who embarks on a perilous journey to find his daughter. Amidst a backdrop of Nazi brutality, Heinrich becomes the unlikely hero of a small village when he confronts the invading forces in their quest for a hidden Jewish treasure.
From the opening scenes, it is clear that "Blood & Gold" seeks to depict Nazis as malevolent and ready for slaughter. The visual imagery is powerful, with bullets raining down on Heinrich as he flees through a barren forest, and a skull nailed to the sidecar of his motorcycle. The ruthless lieutenant colonel wears a dramatic "Phantom of the Opera" mask, further emphasizing the film's intention to portray the Nazis as villains. Heinrich, however, stands apart from his comrades with a heart untainted by darkness, deserting the military to reunite with his daughter. Yet, capture would mean certain death by hanging, according to his former comrades.
The nearby village of Sonneberg becomes the center of chaos when the Nazis arrive in search of the hidden Jewish treasure. Their reign of terror is abruptly interrupted when Heinrich, armed with a pitchfork, takes on a group of Nazi soldiers. He is saved from imminent death by Elsa, a courageous farmer, and her mentally impaired brother, Paule. In retaliation, the Nazis capture Paule, intending to exterminate him as an "untermensch." With no other choice, Heinrich transforms into the heroic figure that the town desperately needs, with the rugged charm of a tobacco-chewing cowboy.
The filmmakers' admiration for Quentin Tarantino's work is evident throughout "Blood & Gold." The title's design and the use of Western-style music hint at their inspiration, while the black humor and bombastic display of violence make it unmistakable. Unfortunately, the filmmakers fall short of Tarantino's ability to elevate an overexplored film genre to new heights. "Blood & Gold" remains firmly planted in the mud, deriving only base enjoyment from mutilating, shooting, and tearing apart as many Nazi body parts as possible.
"Blood & Gold" offers unabashed entertainment within the long tradition of Nazi exploitation films, with a tongue-in-cheek nod to spaghetti Westerns from which it borrows many formal elements. In terms of the story, the only notable similarity to the genre is the lost morality behind the German front lines, a wrongdoing that Heinrich is allowed to enthusiastically punish. The war film ultimately feels like a German attempt to imitate Americans or, worse yet, Europeans imitating Americans. With sharp editing and fast-paced action, the film carries itself quite well. However, a compelling story, whether based on true events or not, is sorely lacking.
In summary, "Blood & Gold" takes place during the final days of World War II and follows a German soldier who, having deserted, embarks on a journey to find his daughter and return home. Along the way, he becomes entangled in a battle with Schutzstaffel troops who are in pursuit of a hidden Jewish treasure made of gold.
