I will never sing Silent Night the same way again. I have seen several Collective Development Inc. Productions and have been anticipating the release of their new Christmas movie, Silent Night in Algona, directed by Anthony Hornus. I pre-ordered, and it was here to enjoy promptly on the 1st. Why hasn't this story been told before? Why did we have to wait so long? Screenwriter, Actor, and Producer DJ Perry has done his research well and composed a true-life narrative from the 1940s that can still be experienced today at the County Fair Grounds in Algona, Iowa.
This side of war has never been told before, and it will quickly become your best Christmas movie of 2023. Prisoners of war, many of them were forced to fight in a conflict they wanted no part of. On 287 acres of good Iowa corn farmland, over 10,000 German POWs were processed between 1943 to 1946. Their internment at Camp Algona was not the same experience as for US prisoners of war held in their homeland of Germany. It is hard to know who your enemies are when the worst enemy is within.
Supporting parts like Harriett Heckler, played by Melissa Anschutz, and Provost Marshal Klein, played by Shane Hagedorn, draw you in and make the moment personal. We all have dealt with a Provost Klein. And veteran actor of my favorite CDI films Big Foot, UFO's and Jesus, Josh Perry always steals the scene. No matter how small the part, he gives a memorable performance.
So, if you are a Die Hard Christmas movie lover planning on sitting Home Alone with your family this Christmas Vacation, to complete this time, you need to include this "Season Stealer" and enjoy Silent Night in Algona.
Ronnie Lee Rocky Lake Recording Studio.
