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The Man Who Killed Hitler and then THe Big Foot

When I was a young fool, my go-to movie was Forest Gump.  I think I saw that damn film at least NINE times in the theater.  I was graduating high school and leaving for college and that film just resonated with me.  I was also lovesick and a complete idiot about it.  This review is not about that film; however, as a crusty man in my 40s now, the overall emotional effect of Gump on my psyche has worn incredibly thin. 

Which is where writer/director Robert D. Krzykowski’s The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot comes into play.  It is my new go-to movie. 

"might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it floored me, becoming my new go-to flick for adulthood cinematic therapy"


Okay, so let’s get a few things out in the open: this is an exploitative film in title only.  Sure, Calvin Barr (richly played by the one and only Sam Elliott) is an American Hero who does all sorts of things for the government, but this film highlights only a couple of things about his service: the offing of Hitler and Bigfoot. 

As pulpy sounding as they may be, these two events – one happening when Barr is a young man and the other when he is older – are handled with an emotional seriousness that resonates long after this character study has concluded.  There is NOTHING exploitative about the film.  It is consequential, with lasting effects on Calvin as, after the killing of Hitler, he wishes to no longer kill ANYTHING for ANYONE, this includes his working for ANY government.

He just wants one thing: a life with Maxine (Caitlin FitzGerald), a school teacher he meets before his life in the army as an FBI agent-for-hire takes off.  Told in a flashback style (which keeps us on our toes), the story of young Calvin (played by Aidan Turner) vs. old Calvin is emotionally wrought, visually impressive, and full of heartbreak.  A key sequence where Maxine and Calvin walk home, their final moments together, is especially heartbreaking and supremely poetic. {googleads}

The WWII action is hard-hitting – especially the scenes involving the takedown of Hitler – and, when approached later in life by the FBI (Ron Livingston) to take out a disease-carrying Bigfoot (for the good of the country, you know), violent.  The Bigfoot, with a cool re-design from what you might be expecting, actually spews his gnarly funk on Elliott, and then the chase begins.

Elliott gives a damn fine performance.  As an adult, his character's relationships are limited.  There is a dog, of course, and his barber Ed (comedian Larry Miller), but beyond that?  Well, Calvin likes his peace and his quiet above all things.  And Krzykowski honors this with some damn fine scenes.  From the opening moments to the quiet closing, The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it floored me, becoming my new go-to flick for adulthood cinematic therapy.The Man Who Killed Hitler and then THe Big Foot

Perhaps Calvin himself, tightlipped and emotionally-charged, sums up this movie best.  It is, in fact, “nothing like the comic book you want it to be” and that, my friends, speaks volumes about just how unexpectedly HUMAN The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot actually is. 

Produced by two times Academy Award nominee John Sayles and with visual effects by two times Academy Award winner Douglas Trumbull (Blade Runner, 2001: A Space Odyssey), it is now available on blu-ray thanks to RLJ/Image Entertainment.

5 beers

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[tab title="Details"]

The Man Who Killed Hitler and then THe Big Foot

MPAA Rating:
Runtime:
98 mins
Director
: Robert D. Krzykowski
Writer:
Robert D. Krzykowski
Cast:
Sam Elliott, Aidan Turner, Sean Bridgers
Genre
: Adventure | Drama
Tagline:
An American Myth.
Memorable Movie Quote: "You didn't pull any swords from any stones did you?"
Theatrical Distributor:
RLJ Entertainment
Official Site:
Release Date:
February 8, 2019
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
April 2, 2019
Synopsis: Since WWII, Calvin Barr has lived with the secret that he was responsible for the assassination of Adolf Hitler. Now, decades later, the US government has called on him again for a new top-secret mission. Bigfoot has been living deep in the Canadian wilderness and is carrying a deadly plague that is now threatening to spread to the general population. Relying on the same skills that he honed during the war, Calvin must set out to save the free world yet again.

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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]

The Man Who Killed Hitler and then THe Big Foot

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: RLJ Entertainment
Available on Blu-ray
- April 2, 2019
Screen Formats: 2.40:1
Subtitles
: English SDH, French, Spanish
Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

RLJ Entertainment’s 1080p transfer, presented in a dynamic 2.40:1 aspect ratio, is a stunning blu-ray release.  The image and the sound (DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track) are spectacular.  The clean and crisp presentation, covering several decades, never falters the material and always remains engaged with scenic beauty and strong black levels.  Lines are thick and even shadows are leveled expressively.  The emotion of the characters are revealed in camera close-ups that give us an excellent look at the performances from Elliot. Flesh tones are true and the details are crisp.  This is strong, strong stuff; quite intelligent and moving with its visual sensibilities.  Thankfully, this disc delivers the goods.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • Offered by Writer/Director Robert D. Krzykowski, the scene specific commentary is a glorious treat for fans of the movie.

Special Features:

RLJ/Image Entertainment spoils us.  The blu-ray is loaded with solid supplemental information concerning the making of the movie.  From storyboards to short films, this release has all your Krzykowski needs covered.

  • The Making of "The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot"
  • Interview with Composer Joe Kraemer
  • Deleted Scenes
  • "Elsie Hooper" Short Film
  • Conceptual Art Gallery

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The Man Who Killed Hitler and then THe Big Foot

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