KORYNE E.

PANGILINAN
BS-ARCHITECTURE 1-1

The Monuments Men Movie: Value of the Lost Treasures

Some of us may wonder how artworks from the past are still with us right now and some still
remains a mystery to us. The Monuments Men is the greatest treasure hunt in the history. A
historical action drama film directed by George Clooney that is based from a true story about
men who found, rescued, and returned millions of artifacts, artworks and other item of cultural
importance that was plundered by the Nazi’s from the year 1933 until the end of World War II.

During World War II, the Nazis steal countless pieces of art and hide them away. Some
over-the-hill art scholars, historians, architects and other experts form a unit to retrieve as many
of the stolen masterpieces as possible. The mission becomes even more urgent when the team
learns about Hitler's "Nero Decree," which orders destruction of the artworks if the Third Reich
falls. Caught in a race against time, the men risk their lives to protect some of mankind's
greatest achievements.

This kind of plot was based from a true story and that makes the movie predictable .What
will make the movie more interesting is the character’s portrayal. The movie did good job of
illustrating why protecting art from the Nazi was important but it's far less effective picturing out
the personalities of the people who protected the art. I think the movie lacks in showcasing the
side stories of the characters, it was focused solely on how they do their mission. It could have
been better if there are more scenes about their life story, so viewers can be more attached into
the movie. So far the actors were very convincing in their acting .The cinematography was
great, and it really depicts scenes from the past.

There was a line in the movie that I could not forget; “No piece of art is worth a man’s life”
the part in the movie where they lost their member during the defense of Michelangelo’s piece
Bruges Madonna and child. It bothered me so much that I asked myself the true value of art.
They say that artists will not be remembered if his/her artwork is all gone. Yes it is true, but for
me artworks represent the history that no one could ever replicate. An art tells a story so it is
worth fighting for.

“Do you think 30 years from now, anyone’s going to remember that these men died for a
piece of art? It saddens me that the answer for this question is vague. Some people just don’t
know the story behind an art. That is why we should value and appreciate these things. We
should value art/artworks from the past more as it once became lost treasures found by
honorable men.

Though the movie is lengthy and some part of it was lacking, realizations still awakened my
eyes and touched my heart. As for me, an art inclined person I am ashamed that I don’t know
much of these artworks. I didn’t even know that things like that happened. Through this movie
we can travel from the past and gain knowledgeable facts we will carry in our life

I would definitely recommend this film to those who are into history of arts.