Let’s be clear here. You’re going to see a movie about young German boys clearing a beach of land mines in post-WWII Denmark. It would be pretty naïve to expect a happy ending… In fact, in would be pretty naïve to not expect to see some protagonists blown up in rather predictable ways. There are no surprises here, yet you’ll still be on the edge of your seat due to the expert acting and beautiful naturalism of the story. As the perpetrators become the victims and the victims become the aggressors, the human condition is illuminated in a unique and profound way. This film is important to see simply because it is a relatively untold story of the horrors after the war, but it truly underscores the ridiculousness of all war in a graceful and painful way. Roland Moller is particularly exceptional in his portrayal as the Dutch sergeant assigned to supervise the boys. The subtle changes in his hardened demeanor towards the boys could not be more expertly played and alone make this movie well worth watching. Once you finally remember to take a deep breath when the film is over, it leaves you with a subtle and lingering sadness regarding our all to fallible and fragile humanity.