World War II is perhaps the most well-trodden ground for historical cinema, yet Zandvliet (who also authored its astonishing screenplay) manages to find largely ungrazed pastures for the story...

| Jul 5, 2024

An explosive watch.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 17, 2021

For an examination of the affect that war can have on the human spirit, Land of Mine is a masterclass. It is essential viewing.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Mar 25, 2021

Land of Mine delivers an epic story.

| Jun 8, 2020

A positively terrifying post-World War II suspense work... You'll spend most of Land of Mine on the edge of your seat.

| May 4, 2020

As a character study set during unique yet harrowing times, Land of Mine continues in the vein of difficult yet important cinematic subject matter, reflecting the cruel effects war has on human behavior, no matter the side.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 5, 2019

A beautiful study on the contradictory nature of resentment and the importance of forgiveness. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Aug 16, 2019

Concise, poignant, and captivating, Land of Mine offers a novel yet intuitive glimpse of a war we see quite often on film.

| Aug 14, 2019

This effortless picture is anchored by a barnstorming Roland Møller; he and his director juggle motives and expectations to alarming effect.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 28, 2019

The storytelling is simple but effective, with Zandvliet's script doing a nice job of establishing these young boys and showing the relationship that built between them and the sergeant.

| Original Score: B+ | Nov 3, 2018

It's still hard to watch human lives end in clouds of black smoke. Even if you think you won't gasp... you do.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 5, 2018

Brilliantly played by a handful of young German actors. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 15, 2018

"Land of Mine" succeeds as both a thriller and as a portrait of the Rasmussen character, a man twisted by hate and loss during war, unsure if he can find his way back to humanity and compassion in peacetime.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 28, 2017

Land of Mine serves as a poignant reminder that revenge destroys more than it satisfies and that compassion aids the healing process.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 27, 2017

Director Martin Zandvliet combines gripping tension and powerful emotion in this accomplished war thriller.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Aug 26, 2017

It may be made with the subtlety of an unexpected explosion, but the aftereffects are harrowing and lasting.

| Aug 25, 2017

Land of Mines seems to want to tell us that when a war ends, another deeply buried mine also must be defused: hatred of the other.

| Aug 23, 2017

Land of Mine is a refreshing surprise that deserves its nomination at the Oscars simply by being humane, heartfelt, and shocking without feeling necessary to delve into the platitudes of glorifying heroics.

| Aug 17, 2017

It's a conscientious, handsome drama in the middlebrow humanitarian tradition, but it makes obvious use of the easy option: whenever a new tragic jolt is needed, a mine can go "boom!"

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 7, 2017

Land of Mine is small but powerfully formed.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 7, 2017