A group of Union volunteers, young men mostly, arriving in the desolate and harsh Western territories during the Civil War in 1862. They are not hardened soldiers, but rather a collection of individuals with varying backgrounds and motivations. There's a sense of naive enthusiasm mixed with apprehension. They’ve come from different places: some have joined to be with their brothers, others for a sense of purpose, and some out of a perceived duty to the Union.
Their mission is vague, mostly involving patrolling and securing the vast, empty landscape. This quickly erodes their initial enthusiasm, and they begin to question their choices. There's a lot of walking, setting up camps, and trying to stay warm in the brutal winter conditions. They carry rifles but are mostly on guard against the elements and the psychological toll that sets in.
As the days and weeks pass, the soldiers' inner struggles become more apparent. They discuss their families, their lives before the war, and their growing doubts about the conflict itself. They debate the meaning of family versus country and whether the war is just. The reasons why they joined begin to seem insignificant in the face of the war’s realities. Their initial patriotic fervor is replaced with a sense of disorientation and a growing feeling of being lost. The conversations and interactions between the men reveal their vulnerabilities and existential angst. They start to grapple with the moral compromises inherent in war, and the senseless violence they might be forced to inflict. Their faith is tested, and the purpose of their sacrifices is continually debated, leaving the men with more questions than answers.
There is a chaotic and sudden shootout. It's not a glorious battle, but rather a confusing and brutal encounter where it’s not clear who is the aggressor. This moment serves as a turning point. It is a reminder of the harsh reality they are in and the possibility of death. Some of their own men are lost, creating a sense of despair among the remaining soldiers. After the encounter, the soldiers descend further into disillusionment. The war begins to seem meaningless and the hope of going home becomes a distant dream. The landscape, once vast and perhaps even beautiful, now feels menacing and unforgiving. Their patrols become aimless wanderings. They question whether there is value in fighting. The lines between their loyalties and their faith begin to blur, and the men appear lost and hopeless.
Cast
René W. Solomon as Scout
Jeremiah Knupp as Scout
Noah Carlson as Scout
Tim Carlson as Sergeant
Cuyler Ballenger as Scout
Production
Although director Minervini was born in Italy and lives in New York City, he resided in Texas for a decade and created a number of films about the region that blur the lines between documentary and narrative filmmaking.[3]The Damned serves as Minervini's first traditional narrative feature.
Minervini began developing The Damned in 2020. He travelled to Helena, Montana the following year and spoke to members of the National Guard about participating in the film. He also involved previous collaborators such as Tim Carson.[4]
The cast and crew established a campground in Montana and allowed locals to come and go to be a part of the film. The team worked without a script and shot in chronological order.[4]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10.[7]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 63 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[8]
Film critic Carlo Valeri on Sentieri Selvaggi[it] described it as "an ambitious counter-history of the United States carried out by the Italian director all along,"[9] while Elisa Battistini on Quinlan points out that it is "a work that with great brilliance deals with war and its absurdity."[10] Gian Luca Pisacane on Cinematografo.it[it] also notes that "Minervini abandons the documentary, but does not lose the political, social gaze that has always characterized him."[11]
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