Netflix is a treasure trove of hidden gems, and one such gem is the gritty World War Two action-thriller ‘Blood and Gold’. This film, with all the swagger of a spaghetti western, was released on the streaming platform back in 2023 and continues to captivate viewers with its blend of bullets, black humour and blood-soaked chaos.
Set in the twilight days of World War 2, this German-language film (with English subtitles) follows the story of Heinrich, portrayed by Robert Maaser. Heinrich is a weary German deserter whose only desire is to return home alive.
However, he finds himself entangled with a ruthless SS unit that is hell-bent on finding a stash of hidden gold.
His unlikely ally is Elsa, played by Marie Hacke, a sharp-tongued fighter who refuses to let Nazis – or anyone else for that matter – trample over her village. Together, they are pulled into a treasure hunt filled with shootouts and wild set pieces reminiscent of classic westerns and grindhouse films.
Director Peter Thorwarth infuses the film with a dusty, sun-drenched style that feels more akin to the legendary Sergio Leone (of ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ fame) than a traditional war drama. The result is a 110-minute film that is grimy, frantic and visually bold – just the kind of mash-up Netflix viewers relish, reports the Mirror.
Critics have also lauded ‘Blood and Gold’, which currently holds an impressive 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
One critic said: « The second film this year to focus on a stalwart hero doing all he can to take down Nazis and hold onto his gold during WWII. The results are splendid. »
Another added: « So much fun! Great score, cinematography, acting, fun story with some over the top fun set pieces. »
A third said: « This movie was a really fun one, which shows some of the discourse that could have happened in Germany whilst the Allies secured certain victory. »
However, ‘Blood and Gold’ isn’t striving for complete historical accuracy – not that everyone is bothered. As one viewer expressed: « Despite historical inaccuracies which I see a lot of people complaining about.
« I see this film more as a « what if » kind of movie which is fun, full of action and has a great plot. Don’t know how anyone can complain it deserves more credit! ».
And if one foreign-language World War 2 film isn’t enough to quench your Netflix thirst, ‘Navrik’ might just be the ticket.
The Norwegian historical drama about the Battle of Narvik in 1940, focuses on both the military conflict and the tale of a soldier and his family during the occupation.
The 2022 film has been highly lauded for its exploration of the dual nature of war, juxtaposing large scale military clashes with the personal stories of civilians forced to navigate the harsh realities of battles and occupation. Moreover, it currently boasts a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
