Title: My Christmas Soldier - DVD
Reviewed By: Donna J
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
(no written review given)

Title: My Christmas Soldier - DVD
Reviewed By: Katy B
Date: Monday, January 9, 2012
Rating: [3 of 5 Stars!]
(no written review given)

Title: My Christmas Soldier - DVD
Reviewed By: Richard and linda D
Date: Monday, November 7, 2011
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
My Christmas Soldier, based upon events that were true, is a charming slice of historical drama, showcasing how German prisoners-of-war, brought to America during World War II, were (other than ardent Nazi believers) just as concerned about the issues that impacted the lives of American soldiers: Will I live to see another day, Is my family safe, How can I worship since I am no longer free, and Will I ever return home. This film was highly personal to Richard, since his father, Arthur Dilly(due to his exceptionally poor eyesight) was one of the guards for German prisoners who picked the crops (the Special Features interview with Chad Daniels specified that this film was about prisoners housed at a particular military base, but Arthur traveled with his prisoners). Each year, they would start in Florida (picking crops there), then slowly travel in a westerly direction (always picking crops as they went), then moving northwest (again, always picking crops), ending their crop picking in Washington. They would then spend the winter in the Santa Barbara area; moving, in the spring, back to Florida, making another picking round, as the year progressed. Make sure you spend time viewing the Special Features, as they are all wonderful. Journey To America is told by an actual German POW and he specifically mentions how crop picking, by the POW’s, was important to the farmers. Bringing Home The Enemy is an interview with Mauriel Joslyn, the writer of this film’s screenplay. German POWs at Camp Shelby (an actual military base, that also housed POW’s), is narrated by Chad Daniels, who (in 2006) was the Armed Forces Museum Director at Camp Shelby. Finally, make sure you watch the short film, Battaglia, which (since we do not want to post a spoiler) is simply wonderful (it was produced for approximately $750.00 and was one of five finalists in the Tribeca Film Festival. Enjoy!