More often than not, the title of a film is usually a pretty good indication of what you’re getting yourself into. If words like “slaughter” or “massacre” appear anywhere, it’s pretty safe to put your money on it being a rather bloody affair. When you have a title like Robert D. Krzykowski’s latest film, however, things aren’t quite as they clear. The title that I am referring to is The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot.
The Plot
War veteran, Calvin Barr (Sam Elliott, Tombstone, Hulk), is once again called upon by the government. This time it isn’t to fight in a war. Instead it is to hunt down a mythical creature that nobody knew for sure existed.
My Thoughts
As soon as I heard the title, The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot, I knew this was a film that I had to see. If that name wasn’t enough of an attention grabber, watching the trailer and seeing the phenomenal Sam Elliott as the “man” in question surely was.
As always, Elliott’s performance is second to none. A retired war veteran, Calvin Barr seems to just be living out his days with no real purpose. We are shown flashbacks to his younger days (portrayed by Aidan Turner of the The Hobbit franchise), as a soldier in World War II, and even earlier still, meeting the girl of his dreams.
Throughout the 98 minute film, we are taken through the stages that lead Barr to the inevitable killing of Nazi regime leader, Adolf Hitler, and beyond. It is a story of young love, the sacrifices a man must make being shipped off to war, and the even larger sacrifices some make even after their return from it.
Genre fans may be in for a surprise when watching The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot. It is not packed to the brim with action — although there is surely some of that — and it isn’t overly explicit or gory–there is some of that, too.
The Verdict
The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot is not what I expected it to be. It is a film that is less about Hitler and even the Bigfoot and more about The Man. It can be considered a drama, but it has its more light-hearted elements of comedic one-liners, some impressive practical special effects, and a gnarly looking Bigfoot creature.
Sam Elliott is brilliant, as one would and should expect at this stage in his career, and even if you are a film fan who only loves overly violent or bloody films, I still urge you to give this one a chance.
I really enjoyed it and will most likely be giving it a second watch very soon.
The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, April 2, from RLJ/Image Entertainment. Be sure to grab yourself a copy, as you will not regret it!
I give this one 4.5 lead turtles in the school play out of 5.
