The Liberator (2020) User Reviews (276)

Breaking Animation Cliches

[enkelly12 · 8/10 · 12 November 2020]

I decided to leave a review to help address the style choices made in this series, namely the "filter" everyone is referring to.

First off, the series is very well done. Acting, writing, progression and pacing. It feels like a Band of Brothers without feeling like it is copying Band of Brothers.

There's a few things to note. First, it isn't a "filter." It isn't like the show was shot completely live action and then just layered on with ray-tracing-like animations. It is a hybrid of live action and animation, yes, but that is different than what saying "filter" implies. Make no mistake, this is an animated movie.

The reason this was done was out of necessity. You can look up this series and see its been in production for years and was originally an 8-part live action series on History Channel. The issue was the cost. No one wanted to spend what would have been $150+ Million on a History channel series so it never got made. The writer, Jeb Stuart (Die Hard) did not give up on the project. One of their options was animation.

The team responsible for the series demo'd multiple types of animation and due to the stereotype of animation in America (that it is a largely comedic forum, e.g. simpsons, family guy) they went with this type of live action animation hybrid to keep the animation technique as serious as the subject matter demands.

Thank god for that. Because it would've been a shame to not have this series made. I understand some are upset by the animation, I get it, but I feel most are upset because they think it was an "artistic" choice. In reality, it was animate the series or don't create the series at all. This makes the animation more palatable.

Great show but you have to give it a chance

[mrollins-57576 · 9/10 · 12 November 2020]

It reminded me of band of brothers, yes the filter is distracting at first but you'll definitely get drawn into it if you give it a chance. Definitely worth a watch and one of the better shows I've seen on Netflix in awhile. 9/10 because the story was great but I did knocked down one because the filter is distracting at first or it would've easily been a 10/10

Remember those that gave the ultimate measure of devotion...

[ravennight-1 · 9/10 · 11 November 2020]

This is a great story. I would have preferred it wasn't cell shaded, but perhaps that allowed them to tell this important story with a reduced budget. In any case, if you can see past the animation style this is a story everyone should watch, especially on our days of thanks for those that sacrificed all so we could be free.

IT'S ABOUT THE STORY, PEOPLE

[flynnflon · 8/10 · 13 November 2020]

Anyone who commented about the filter being the reason they bailed 10-15 minutes into the first of a four episode series, is a simpleton, full-stop. It's like someone bailing on Team America, because they used puppets.

Does it take getting used to? Sure. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes, to do so-as you can see from those reviewers who aren't basic AF

The (true) story is great-and one I hadn't heard about, before. That's enough reason to watch.

So, in summary:

• great story
• interesting approach to the war-genre
• four episodes isn't a huge time investment
• don't listen to simpletons

The filter makes the series possible in the first place.

[dbenhardt · 9/10 · 12 November 2020]

Band of Brothers had a $180 million budget in 2020 dollars. This quite obviously, did not.

The filter allows settings to be animated in, CGI vehicles, explosions, etc -- makes the entire miniseries possible. And I'd rather have the story than not, animation and all.

Besides, within 10 minutes of the first episode, I no longer noticed it. Eventually I found it interesting. Great story, engrossing binge, especially for military genre fans and WWII buffs.

Wow!

[shawn_r_evans · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

Absolutely incredible love the raw animation it gives a gritty look to the gritty time.very very well done.

The Liberator Honors Heroes

[partonje · 9/10 · 11 November 2020]

Like many "based on a true story" accounts, there are compromises that have to be made. I just finished reading The Liberator by Alex Kershaw, and I can see where events were compressed or characters were combined to synthesize a new character, which is fine for the purpose of telling a story. The story of Felix Sparks contains tragedy and loss, yet his will to not only survive but lead has made the leap to the screen. The graphic novel style still allows for nuanced performances, especially by Bradley James. Battle sequences and the hushed silences benefit equally from this style as well. Nothing would likely capture the horror of the liberation of Dachau, yet this production does it justice. Released on Veteran's Day, The Liberator is well worth watching and remembering the sacrifices of others.

Decent war story

[jaystreet46 · 7/10 · 11 November 2020]

I don't see what the big deal is with the filter. It doesn't take away from the story. I guess some people just have to complain, no matter how petty the reason. I'm a history buff, and it tells an interesting story about an interesting group of men.

Give it time if you like band of brothers/pacific you will like this

[inkfxlee · 8/10 · 11 November 2020]

Need to give this one a bit of time to get used to the cartoon filter i think this has been done to save money on big expensive scenery in the second episode the story really starts to set in and you forget about the filter. Another great story from WW2 and the brave men and women who fought and based on a true story i really liked it its not the series that is bad at all just the filter being a bit annoying to start with but like i said i think this was to save money

Watchable but tiring filters

[najib_is · 6/10 · 11 November 2020]

It's a good story. Based on true events. I can honestly say, it is on par with Band Of Brothers and The Pacific. But, watching it makes me boring... Again, not because of the good story, but because of the filters. It makes me feel comical on a war movie...

I think it can be a great war series if the viewers were presented with live action version of this series.

Credit must be given to the actors. Brilliant choices, i believe. Especially Capt Sparks and Sargeant Coldfoot

Filters? why bother ...

[vino-pfmc · 9/10 · 11 November 2020]

I don't mind the filters as long the story is good. The story is Great!

War with real actors - Cartoonized

[refordgarry · 7/10 · 12 November 2020]

The unsightliness of War undergoes reconstruction by post production stocking-over-lens technology. It also enables Netflix to do things on the cheap in a country with more mileage per buck (see closing credits). The only problem by pushing war into an oblique, abstract sort of world with blurry faces is that one finds difficulty in bonding with actors whose emotions are hard to discern. Does enough free shot film survive for a future Directors Cut with unmasked actors? But, in spite of everything Liberator was still watchable. Loved turning my living room into a full-volume war bunker with bullets flying everywhere. So, enjoy the parts you can, with decent enough plot, and a team who've worked hard. Would it have been better shot with real faces? - Yes.

Just, not good

[andythehobo-119-449520 · 3/10 · 22 November 2020]

To be clear, I love, and would near enough watch anything to do with WW2. I had to turn this off 20 minutes into episode 2 however, it's just too bad. To see anyone ever remotely suggest this is anywhere near as good as Band of Brothers astounds me. BoB is one of, if not the, greatest shows ever made. This is just poorly written, poorly directed, poorly acted. It's full of awful generic war cliches, bad combat scenes and whilst I like rotoscoped visuals when done well (see A Scanner Darkly), that's not the case here and it is a distraction. In fairness, if paused and just looked at as stills, it does have its moments. I really wanted to like this and I tried to stick it out but I just couldn't. There's clearly potential with the story but this just didn't work for me at all. So much so, I actually had to write my first ever review

Great mini series

[dustinbutler-72102 · 10/10 · 3 December 2020]

When you read the negative reviews you notice they all start with "I could only watch for five minutes before blah blah" They never gave this show a chance. The filter caught my eye and made me watch it. Personally it was distracting at first but I ended up really enjoying it. Good acting and extremely good story. If you write a negative review please try to watch a full episode

Love Band of Brothers? You'll love this!

[bjamin18 · 9/10 · 15 November 2020]

Those that have complained about the "cartoon filter" if you didn't finish the series - Your loss! Personally stopped seeing the filter and thoroughly enjoyed the story and the action.

I needed this

[jasonncourt · 9/10 · 12 November 2020]

Great story to tell - need more stories like this to combat the extreme polarization going on. It's a bit in your face, lacking nuance, but good nonetheless.

Note that the animation was done PURELY for budget reasons (tanks etc... arent cheap). Without the animation this show would never have been produced. So get over it.

A Different War Film

[gpxdlr · 10/10 · 12 November 2020]

I was ready to quit but I am glad I viewed more, then decided to see all four episodes in one sitting. It took getting use to, the "cartoonish" effects. My first time seeing this. The 157th was a distinguished unit.

An Interesting Concept

[marksmith-96571 · 7/10 · 14 November 2020]

I stumbled upon this on Netflix & as I like things related to WWII, I thought I'd give it a watch. On first impressions I thought that the idea of overlaying a graphic comic book style was genius, but however to soon wained as I started to pick faults with it. There is imperfections in the quality of this process & on the outset it looks like a YouTube video, with someone doing a video overlaying it with a cheap app & posting it on YouTube & the acting isn't too good either. Give it a go see what you think but nah not for me.

Ignore the bad reviews

[apocalypseplease105 · 8/10 · 11 November 2020]

Yes. There's an filter over the live action. Does it make it worse or ruin it? No. It's bizarre to me that people can't see through the effect and it bothers them that much. There are some really basic people on this that will have you believe this isn't a great mini series. If you like this style of effect check out "a scanner darkly"

"The Liberator" puts an artistic spin on a honor-the-heroes war story

[Filmiarvustus · 7/10 · 29 March 2021]

Netflix's fresh and limited series "The Liberator", puts a heavily artistic filter over a true story about Felix Sparks, a young man in a middle of a bloodiest battle of WWII. Leading performance by Bradley James creates triumph from tragedy and loss, reminds the horror of the liberation of Dachau and with the added graphic novel-ish filter we get a harmony of close ups, silence, brotherhood and sadness. Behind the basic narrative and worn out jingoism, this is a show to remember.

A very good tale (based on a true story) and the unorthodox video does its job.

[mark-64-583698 · 9/10 · 15 November 2020]

I was a little leery of the "animated" aspect, but it actually came off quite well. The people/characters seem quite real (I'm presuming there's a how-it's-made tale about that) and the ability to use tech to provide the backgrounds worked. The people are the focus anyway. As WW2 moves into history, the ability to do realistic films will be harder and harder (try finding a B17 to borrow, it's pretty tough), so this is not a bad idea.

Give This Four Part Series A Chance.

[valdsdad · 15 December 2020]

Because of the way this series was filmed it takes some time to become easy with watching, but it is worth the effort. The men who served in WWII were all hero's but the men coming from Oklahoma came together for over 500 days to take part in military operations from Italy on the France and finally Germany. I checked and this is a true story even if not always complete. My father-in-law served in some of the same places and in fact witness to the concentration camps. Never forget.

Need for our times

[ryanpersaud-59415 · 7/10 · 22 November 2020]

I don't no if there's a movie that is as necessary as this one right now. There's something about the earnestness and the heart of The Liberator I really spoke to me. I think it's a message of unity in the face of adversity and acceptance of all for their character is more important now than ever. It's a wonderful, moving tribute to humanity's potential.

I also adored the animation style, although felt some scenes lacked dimension. It sometimes felt like the world outside of the picture just didn't exist (if that makes sense). However, this contributed to it's graphic novel feel. If you're a fan of that art form, I feel like this is right for you.

The performances are uniformly excellent, although the dialogue is a bit hammy from time to time, but overall, it's an entertaining watch.

Great movie destroyed by a silly filter.

[amzy-50811 · 5/10 · 11 November 2020]

Movie is great and it could have become band of Brothers for Netflix but the artistic spin gets annoying after a while.

Brilliant.

[brian59636 · 9/10 · 11 November 2020]

People whining about the filtering. Dont look past this brilliantly shot series that I would par with Band of Brothers. The acting, casting and brilliant storyline caps off the true story it is. Huge thumbs up.