Touted as an untold saga of true heroes, Shane Dax Taylor’s WWII action film Murder Company sticks to a familiar formula. Unlike The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which offered an extravagant, anarchic take on real events, Murder Company keeps to a conventional war movie script. This choice provides a reliably crafted film, though it may only appeal to those already interested in the brutal realities of war. If you’re in the mood for some Nazi-slaying action, Murder Company delivers in spades.
As is typical with historical films, Murder Company begins with three title cards that outline the story. These reveal that the film’s top-secret mission and the “Murder Company” itself have never been officially recognized. They might as well have said, “Historians, skip this—we’re creating our own version of history.” These introductory cards set up the film, which revolves around a small group of U.S. soldiers sent behind enemy lines to rescue a French Resistance fighter and take out a high-ranking Nazi.
Despite its lower budget, Murder Company features impressive visual effects and makes a solid effort to recreate the era’s look. However, it stumbles with a curious decision: the Nazis speak in awkward German dialogue rather than broken English. Their English is flawless, but their German is stilted and simplistic. This issue seems to stem from Jesse Mittelstadt’s script, although Roman Schomburg manages to make it work, despite the lack of depth.
Murder Company (2024)
Genre: War, Action
Synopsis: During WWII, a covert Allied team infiltrates a Nazi stronghold to obtain crucial intelligence while facing relentless enemy forces and navigating dangerous terrain.
Release Date: July 5, 2024
Director: Shane Dax Taylor
Cast: Kelsey Grammer, William Moseley, Joe Anderson, Gilles Marini, Pooch Hall
Runtime: 86 Minutes
Writers: Jesse Mittelstadt
Studios: Maverick Film, Complex Corp
Murder Company Features a Strong Ensemble Cast
Continuing the trend of action films, Murder Company includes Kelsey Grammer (famous for Frasier) to bring star power, but the film’s real strength lies in its ensemble cast. Grammer’s General Haskel is a commanding presence, though his role is relatively minor. His standout scenes involve extracting information from injured enemies and dismissing the loss of his own soldiers.
William Moseley, known for The Chronicles of Narnia, shifts from fantasy roles to taking on Nazis in Murder Company. His character, Southern, moves from magical adventures to leading a mission against the Nazis. While Raven’s Nest didn’t fully showcase Moseley’s abilities, Murder Company does him justice. The film benefits from the strong chemistry among the cast, including Southern (Moseley), Smith (Joe Anderson), and Coolidge (Pooch Hall). Their camaraderie, discussions about home, and mission disagreements add a personal touch to the film’s 86-minute runtime. Although the characters are somewhat superficial, their interactions enhance the story’s emotional depth.
Interestingly, the most compelling character is Daquin (Gilles Marini), a French Resistance officer introduced about a quarter into the film. Despite his minimal dialogue, Marini, known for roles in Sex and the City, Daredevil, and Days of Our Lives, stands out. He brings significant depth to his role, even though he primarily engages in sharpshooting and reflecting on past tragedies.
Is Murder Company Worth Watching?
Murder Company may not reach the level of Saving Private Ryan, but it is a solid addition to the expanding list of WWII films. While the script has some flaws in the later acts, it doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment. Taylor aimed to honor classic war epics while creating his own fictional narrative, and he largely succeeds. WWII enthusiasts might debate some aspects of the film, but they will appreciate its themes of heroism, bravery, and camaraderie.
Though it doesn’t break new ground in the WWII genre, Murder Company features notable performances from Moseley and Marini that are worth watching. The film, shot on location in Bulgaria and requiring extensive outdoor filming, reflects the cast’s enjoyment and dedication. For a lower-budget action film, Murder Company is definitely worth its 86-minute runtime.