I recommend this movie for people who likes historical courtroom dramas and for Al Pacino completist! For me the best part of film is the final Pacino speech in court as a lawyer! I suppose all other people could find this movie flat and a little bit boring.
52 Reviews
sitting in judgment
ferguson-628 May 2021
Greetings again from the darkness. World War II continues to provide the stories of individuals who were caught up in the horrific events surrounding the war - some folks acted heroically, some despicably, and still others simply did what they could to survive. Director Michael Polish (NORTHFORK, 2003) adapted the screenplay with Vance Owen and Darryl Hicks from the book by Mr. Owen and his father William E. Owen. It's the nearly forgotten story of an American woman drawn into the powerful Nazi propaganda machine, and subsequently tried for treason.
Mildred Gillars is a name few will be familiar with. Portrayed well here by Meadow Williams, Ms. Gillars was known as Axis Sally by American servicemen during WWII. Her radio broadcasts of Nazi propaganda alternately entertained and enraged Americans, and this depiction of her story shines a light on the lengths to which the Nazis utilized psychological warfare in conjunction with traditional tanks and guns.
Director Polish spends most of the movie's runtime on Gillars' trial for treason, which provides a courtroom for Oscar winner Al Pacino (now 81 years old) to play her attorney James Laughlin and chew scenery with an enthusiasm and fervor matched by few actors. Joining Laughlin at the defense table is green-behind-the-ears attorney (and former GI soldier) Billy Owen (Swen Temmell), whose warm approach contrasts well with Laughlin's gusto. The lead prosecutor John Kelly is played by Mitch Pileggi ("The X-Files"), and other supporting roles are covered by Lala Kent, Jasper Polish, and Carsten Norgaard.
Flashbacks are vital here, as we see Gillars "perform" her act, often in front of Joseph Goebbels, the chief propagandist of the Nazis during the war. Thomas Kretschmann (U-571, 2000) is excellent and sufficiently creepy as Goebbels, and some of the most intense scenes feature Goebbels and Gillars. Filmmaker Polish takes a sympathetic approach to Gillars, an approach surely to ruffle some patriotic feathers. The trial is not often-remembered in the aftermath of the war, but Ms. Gillars' story makes us wonder just what we might do if our life was threatened ... and just as importantly, how would our actions be judged after the fact?
In select theaters and On Demand May 28, 2021.
Mildred Gillars is a name few will be familiar with. Portrayed well here by Meadow Williams, Ms. Gillars was known as Axis Sally by American servicemen during WWII. Her radio broadcasts of Nazi propaganda alternately entertained and enraged Americans, and this depiction of her story shines a light on the lengths to which the Nazis utilized psychological warfare in conjunction with traditional tanks and guns.
Director Polish spends most of the movie's runtime on Gillars' trial for treason, which provides a courtroom for Oscar winner Al Pacino (now 81 years old) to play her attorney James Laughlin and chew scenery with an enthusiasm and fervor matched by few actors. Joining Laughlin at the defense table is green-behind-the-ears attorney (and former GI soldier) Billy Owen (Swen Temmell), whose warm approach contrasts well with Laughlin's gusto. The lead prosecutor John Kelly is played by Mitch Pileggi ("The X-Files"), and other supporting roles are covered by Lala Kent, Jasper Polish, and Carsten Norgaard.
Flashbacks are vital here, as we see Gillars "perform" her act, often in front of Joseph Goebbels, the chief propagandist of the Nazis during the war. Thomas Kretschmann (U-571, 2000) is excellent and sufficiently creepy as Goebbels, and some of the most intense scenes feature Goebbels and Gillars. Filmmaker Polish takes a sympathetic approach to Gillars, an approach surely to ruffle some patriotic feathers. The trial is not often-remembered in the aftermath of the war, but Ms. Gillars' story makes us wonder just what we might do if our life was threatened ... and just as importantly, how would our actions be judged after the fact?
In select theaters and On Demand May 28, 2021.
A great performance By Al Pacino
iibadr722 June 2021
I was thinking between 5/10 or 6/10 because it seems 6 is too much for it but WHAT a good preference by Al Pacino , sure until this he is totally able to nail every part he gets in his comfort zone, Like Hoffa in The Irishman 2019 , I hope he keeps going with those kinds of characters even if the movies they are in are not so great , watchable.
Do NOT waste your time on this movie.
katykw-217 September 2021
It is slow and plodding. I found myself watching the clock and wishing it would soon be over. Almost every one of the characters is plastic and two-dimensional. Even Al Pacino (one of my favorite actors of all time) is not up to his usual level of excellence. Meadow Williams' character is like a Barbie doll. When she is on the witness stand, her movements are wooden and jerky. We are never invested in the scant storyline. We do not believe the characters are anything more than actors merely playing a part.
The cinematography is excellent and so are the sets. Ms. William's costumes are 1940s perfection. If the director had paid as much attention to character development as he did framing each and every shot, this movie might have kept my interest. I kept wanting to know Mildred's backstory. What brought her to be a traitor to her nation of origin? At a time in our nation's history of unparalleled patriotism and loyalty, I am at a loss to see how someone who, when offered a chance to leave the country of the aggressive nation, refused and stayed there. These questions are never addressed in the movie. Very disappointing.
The cinematography is excellent and so are the sets. Ms. William's costumes are 1940s perfection. If the director had paid as much attention to character development as he did framing each and every shot, this movie might have kept my interest. I kept wanting to know Mildred's backstory. What brought her to be a traitor to her nation of origin? At a time in our nation's history of unparalleled patriotism and loyalty, I am at a loss to see how someone who, when offered a chance to leave the country of the aggressive nation, refused and stayed there. These questions are never addressed in the movie. Very disappointing.
Don't Waste Your Time
nataliedetails-9235522 September 2021
Interesting film
tocanepauli31 May 2021
Barely watchable!
timetraveller86 June 2021
I only bothered to watch the movie from a historic interest and because of Al Pacino. Meadow Williams is for the most part unconvincing in the part while Pacino acts as if a gun was held to his head to play the role. (Pun intended.) The story is an interesting one and has a lot to say about individual accountability in a time of war and freedom of speech, and a remake with a better script and actors better suited to the parts could even make this Academy Award material.
Drama with a Standout Performance from Al Pacino
deepaligarcha28 May 2021
There are a lot of stories surrounding WWII that people don't know about until they get made into movies. The story of Mildred Gillars, also known as Axis Sally, is one of those. It is an interesting story
This cast was surprisingly very good for such a film as this. Everybody served their roles perfectly in the film.
Using the star power of Pacino as the defense lawyer was a great idea. He brings all his gravitas to the role which makes it stand out. He has his moments to shine but gives space for the others to do their thing as well. Thomas Kretschmann as Goebbels was pretty sinister in that role. I think anybody would be afraid of him. The plot had some twists and turns in it as well. That was good to not make it a straightforward story of this woman's trial.
To sum it all up... Al Pacino was the standout in this film. Otherwise, this film probably would have gone unnoticed by most people.
This cast was surprisingly very good for such a film as this. Everybody served their roles perfectly in the film.
Using the star power of Pacino as the defense lawyer was a great idea. He brings all his gravitas to the role which makes it stand out. He has his moments to shine but gives space for the others to do their thing as well. Thomas Kretschmann as Goebbels was pretty sinister in that role. I think anybody would be afraid of him. The plot had some twists and turns in it as well. That was good to not make it a straightforward story of this woman's trial.
To sum it all up... Al Pacino was the standout in this film. Otherwise, this film probably would have gone unnoticed by most people.
Sympathy for the Devil.
planktonrules13 February 2022
"American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally" is a dramatization of the trial of Mildred Gillars, the woman referred to as Axis Sally during WWII. This American woman was called this because after renouncing her citizenshp and moving to Germany, she began broadcasting for the German propaganda machine. What were the broadcasts? They involved trying to demoralize the Allied soldiers and she was similar to the woman known in the Pacific as 'Tokyo Rose'.
The film was okay...not bad, not good. I think I felt this way because although well made, late in the story the filmmakers tried to make the audience feel sorry for the woman. Considering she helped the Nazi war machine, she was a traitor...and I'd rather extend my sympathies towards someone a bit more deserving. Without this VERY sympathetic ending, I would have scored this one a bit higher.
The film was okay...not bad, not good. I think I felt this way because although well made, late in the story the filmmakers tried to make the audience feel sorry for the woman. Considering she helped the Nazi war machine, she was a traitor...and I'd rather extend my sympathies towards someone a bit more deserving. Without this VERY sympathetic ending, I would have scored this one a bit higher.
Pacino's acting carries this for the most
jayenjr8 July 2021
For fans of Al Pacino, most of us are by now familiar that a number of his movies would feature long - and sometimes - larger than life speeches. Think Scent of a woman, And Justice for All, Any Given Sunday, City Hall. Depending on one's preference, Pacino's speeches could either come across as good acting or hammy and over the top. Well, am glad to say that in Axis Sally, his lengthy delivery at the end is probably the apex of this movie, produced with such conviction, which IMHO, even betters his speech in the oscar winning Scent. You just stay fixated - that's how good the man is when he's in form. And at 81, who could better him?
Having said that, Meadow Williams also turns in a decent performance, managing to convince us that she's as much a victim of the era as she was also an opportunist. WW2 and courtroom drama aficionados should be pleased enough to spend viewing this on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Having said that, Meadow Williams also turns in a decent performance, managing to convince us that she's as much a victim of the era as she was also an opportunist. WW2 and courtroom drama aficionados should be pleased enough to spend viewing this on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Disappointing
dlmiley10 June 2021
Interesting
bryangary6521 October 2021
Much better than it's current 5.6 rating
Always of interest to watch films based on true events, especially when previously not aware of it
Pacino was his normal worth watching self, and thought in the lead role Meadow Williams did a good job.
Always of interest to watch films based on true events, especially when previously not aware of it
Pacino was his normal worth watching self, and thought in the lead role Meadow Williams did a good job.
Couldn't finish it despite Al Pacino.
kizildere29 May 2021
I really tried but this movie just lacked so many things at once. Courtroom visuals looked like a Zoom background, subpar acting in general except the all time great Al Pacino, a lot of historical errors, etc. I don't know if Meadow Williams just wanted to act in a movie with Al Pacino and was willing to finance it with her late found inheritence but this was the first movie I have ever walked out of. Skip it.
Pacino is stellar, Relevant Pacino and story in twenty-first century.
indiapaige10 September 2023
Watched it for the Pacino performance, thats worth the time on its own. Unfortunately the other cast arent of his caliber, and the screenplay writing could be better.
Based on a true.story, again seventy-five years on, America again finds herself fighting fascism, authoritarianism and thus the relevance of elements of WWII stories.
The.major differences today are home front battles against homegrown treason, fascism compared to the all time freshman defense and/or excuse of the applying First Amendment rights.
Of-course America is not in the middle of WWII, those purporting fascism and authoritarian threats against opposing beliefs while perhaps seeming life threatening, dont compare with battles fought on Normandy beaches, Antwerp, Pacific Islands and real life or death survival skills necessary during WWII.
Watch it for the Pacino performance alone,or for the recurring relevance of treason among our ranks. Its always hard to transform literary media into performance arts.
The screenplay writers werent on par with other Pacino choices. Not all stories translate well in anyones hands.
WWII history buffs and Pacino admirers should given this a go. After all, Al Pacinos work on screen wasnt abundant in 2021. If you do choose to watch, be certain to stay for the films epilogue.
Based on a true.story, again seventy-five years on, America again finds herself fighting fascism, authoritarianism and thus the relevance of elements of WWII stories.
The.major differences today are home front battles against homegrown treason, fascism compared to the all time freshman defense and/or excuse of the applying First Amendment rights.
Of-course America is not in the middle of WWII, those purporting fascism and authoritarian threats against opposing beliefs while perhaps seeming life threatening, dont compare with battles fought on Normandy beaches, Antwerp, Pacific Islands and real life or death survival skills necessary during WWII.
Watch it for the Pacino performance alone,or for the recurring relevance of treason among our ranks. Its always hard to transform literary media into performance arts.
The screenplay writers werent on par with other Pacino choices. Not all stories translate well in anyones hands.
WWII history buffs and Pacino admirers should given this a go. After all, Al Pacinos work on screen wasnt abundant in 2021. If you do choose to watch, be certain to stay for the films epilogue.
One of the best of Al Pacino&s recent acting
unixfreaxjp13 June 2021
World War II has many moral-related stories and this is one of them. This is a story of a life in one of greatest war, where an actress in the story has been given no other option instead one that she could not reject. It perfectly shows how naively media during the time could easily steer public opinion, to condemn someone before even being judged in court.
The story is about survival. The plot is good. I think Al Pacino is in his very best role in his character and he is giving his best acting, the overall cast performance doesn't disappoint me either.
If you like Al's act, this is gonna be one that you have to watch.
The story is about survival. The plot is good. I think Al Pacino is in his very best role in his character and he is giving his best acting, the overall cast performance doesn't disappoint me either.
If you like Al's act, this is gonna be one that you have to watch.
Flawed but not terrible
wondercritic15 November 2021
This movie is proof that certain directors can get the most out of their actors; others can't. Al Pacino can carry entire movies on his shoulders. He couldn't do that with this one, but "The Irishman," made only 2 years earlier, shows how at the hands of a master (Martin Scorsese), Pacino is utterly captivating.
In this one, Pacino's just good. His closing statement at the trial is the centerpiece of his performance, and it's fine. You can even forget that he's an octogenarian in real life. But the film ultimately feels strangely TV-movie-ish. The director might eventually develop beyond that, but for now it's Hallmark for him.
In this one, Pacino's just good. His closing statement at the trial is the centerpiece of his performance, and it's fine. You can even forget that he's an octogenarian in real life. But the film ultimately feels strangely TV-movie-ish. The director might eventually develop beyond that, but for now it's Hallmark for him.
Arthur Kirkland as defense attorney, er, Al Pacino I mean..gotta watch//
privatelyed3 June 2021
I'm a sucker for courtroom drama; never heard of Axis Sally before, thought it was fiction until I researched it and found it's not fiction at all. Pacino carried the movie from beginning to end, no longer have the energy of Arthur but still capable of deliberation (no pun intended). Sally's character was okay, but I keep thinking how it would've played out if she was acted by Jessica Chastain, for example, instead of Meadow Williams. Overall, not a bad watch..then again, I'm a sucker for courtroom drama//
Watchable, barely.
I_should_be_reading_a_book24 June 2021
Completely inaccurate and hollywoodesque cast, slow pacing, heavily crutched whith archive clips, Pachino overacts and doesn't look a bit like the real person. Homely Meadow. Williams, is a beaut compared to the actual Mildred Gillians, Kretschmann, unpleasant that he is, fails to convey the malignant soul od Goebbels, although even highschoolers know that Goebbels limped like a woodpegged pirate but director Polish didn't bother to fix Kretschmann's shoes for reality.
In short, Poor cast (although Pacino manages to deliver some intense; albeit overacted, scenes), cinematography is worthy of an indie and direction sucks.
Actors do their best but probaly lack the stage time. Pretty much unknowns. End is fairly accurate but leaves the viewer out for research to fill the holes.
Except for the unbearable back & forth eddition assembly it feels like a stage piece.
Watch if you never heard of the case but don't expect much.
In short, Poor cast (although Pacino manages to deliver some intense; albeit overacted, scenes), cinematography is worthy of an indie and direction sucks.
Actors do their best but probaly lack the stage time. Pretty much unknowns. End is fairly accurate but leaves the viewer out for research to fill the holes.
Except for the unbearable back & forth eddition assembly it feels like a stage piece.
Watch if you never heard of the case but don't expect much.
It has Al Pacino...and that's about it
michaelmain-6288420 September 2021
This is an interesting bit of history told in a very bad way. Al Pacino is the same guy he's been playing for decades and he's good at it. With the exception of the courtroom dialog, the script is rancid. The schmaltzy scenes are so over the top bad it's like comedy, but not in a good way.
I found the lead actress exceeding dull and by the end of the film, I was in favor of hanging her.
It's watchable, but you'll cringe a lot.
I found the lead actress exceeding dull and by the end of the film, I was in favor of hanging her.
It's watchable, but you'll cringe a lot.
Hidden gem with Pacino at his best
paul-rose7-246-618232 November 2021
Based on a true story this is very well executed and skilfully moves the viewer from one stance to another viewpoint as the story unfolds. All of the parts are well acted with Pacino at his best veering from one extreme to another. A thoroughly enjoyable movie and well worth a watch.
The dint of history
flyzone124 September 2021
I liked the movie. The message, carried most ably by Pacino, completely overshadowed the movie-making trappings that are usually the stock and trade of Hollywood critics. There is a lot of complaint about Meadow Williams performance but I thought she was cast well as a vulnerable, unremarkable, abused war "survivor." These are folks that are usually seen as opportunists rather than victims and get their heads shaved. If I had sat on the jury today I would have let her go; however, I doubt I would have done so at the time - and that was the message of the movie for me. Show trials are likely to be unjust and in the dint of history they are often overturned.
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