American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally is a 2021 American historical drama film directed by Michael Polish, from a screenplay by Vance Owen and Darryl Hicks, based upon the book Axis Sally Confidential by William E. Owen. It is based on the life of Mildred Gillars, an American singer and actor who during World War II broadcast Nazi propaganda to American troops and their families back home. The film stars Al Pacino, Meadow Williams, Swen Temmel, Thomas Kretschmann and Mitch Pileggi.
| American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally | |
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| Directed by | Michael Polish |
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| Based on | Axis Sally Confidential by William E. Owen |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Jayson Crothers |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Kubilay Uner |
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Running time | 108 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
It was released on May 28, 2021, by Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment.
Premise
editAn American woman named Mildred Gillars broadcast Nazi propaganda during World War II. She was dubbed Axis Sally by the American GIs who simultaneously loved and hated her. The story plunges the viewer into the dark underbelly of the Third Reich's hate-filled propaganda machine, Sally's eventual capture, and subsequent trial for treason in Washington D.C. after the war. The movie is all about the court trial to prove that Axis Sally is a traitor to her country. Other Americans who also contributed to Nazi propaganda are called to testify during the trial. The defense was that if one didn't do as instructed, the penalty was deportation to a concentration camp; her actions were therefore done under force. Under this logic, she escapes the death penalty. However, she is convicted of treason and sentenced to 30 years in prison, with a possibility of parole after 10.
Cast
edit- Al Pacino as James Laughlin, an attorney who represented Gillars after she was put on trial for treason
- Meadow Williams as Mildred Gillars
- Swen Temmel as Billy Owen
- Thomas Kretschmann as Joseph Goebbels
- Mitch Pileggi as John Kelley, the prosecutor at Gillars's trial
- Lala Kent as Elva
- Carsten Norgaard as Max Otto Koischwitz
- Drew Taylor as Randy
Production
editIn May 2017, it was announced EFO Films had acquired the screenplay Axis Sally by Vance Owen and Darryl Hicks, based upon the book Axis Sally Confidential by Willem E. Owen.[1] In November 2018, Al Pacino, Meadow Williams and Swen Temmel joined the cast of the film, with Michael Polish directing.[2][3] In February 2019, Thomas Kretschmann, Mitch Pileggi and Lala Kent joined the cast of the film.[4] In April 2019, Carsten Norgaard joined the cast of the film.[5] Kubilay Uner will compose the film's score.[6]
Principal photography took place in Dorado, Puerto Rico, in February 2019.[7]
Release
editIn April 2021, Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment acquired North American distribution rights to the film, which had been retitled American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally, and set it for release on May 28, 2021.[8]
Reception
editThe review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes surveyed 21 critics and, categorizing the reviews as positive or negative, assessed three as positive and 18 as negative for a 14% rating. Among the reviews, it determined an average rating of 3.7 out of 10.[9]
Hope Madden of UK Film Review said, "Aside from Pacino, the cast is uniformly awful."[10]
References
edit- ^ Hipes, Patrick (May 17, 2017). "'Axis Sally' Story To Be Broadcast Wide Via Emmett/Furla/Oasis". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 1, 2018). "Al Pacino, Meadow Williams Star In MoviePass Films Drama 'Axis Sally'". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Fuster, Jeremy (November 1, 2018). "Al Pacino, Meadows Williams Join MoviePass Films' 'Axis Sally'". The Wrap.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (February 11, 2019). "MoviePass Films' 'Axis Sally' Adds Trio To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 12, 2019). "'Axis Sally': Carsten Norgaard Joins Al Pacino In Drama From MoviePass Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Kubilay Uner to Score Michael Polish's 'Axis Sally'". Film Music Reporter. March 5, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "MoviePass Films Begins Principal Photography on Axis Sally". Business Wire. February 12, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 22, 2021). "Michael Polish's 'American Traitor: The Trial Of Axis Sally' Gets U.S. Release Date In Vertical-Redbox Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally (2021) Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ Madden, Hope (28 May 2021). "American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally film review". UK Film Review.