The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot: An Adventure with Character

Sam Elliott as Calvin Barr

When you see that a movie's title is The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot, you might think you know what to expect, but writer-director Robert D. Kryzkowski’s genre-twisting tale subverts our expectations at every turn. The movie is a World War II adventure and a monster flick, but it’s also a powerful study of an older man reflecting on his past, and the difficult choices that he made in life. The script is a well-written rumination on the nature of heroism, and how the meaning of being a hero has changed over the years. Heady stuff for what on the surface seems to be a simple B-movie, but the film transcends its catchy title to provide us with an entertaining mix of action adventure story and character study.

The movie centers on Calvin Barr, a man quietly living out his older days in a small town during the 1980s. Barr is haunted by memories of his former career as a special agent in World War II, during which he was tasked with a mission vital to the Allied war effort. In a top-secret operation in the final days of the war, Barr was sent to assassinate Hitler. Barr succeeds in killing the Nazi leader, but his mission is covered up. His dedication to his career as a special ops agent had a devastating affect on his personal life. In the present, Barr’s only meaningful relationship is with his brother Ed, who’s the town barber, and his loyal dog.

Barr’s past meets up with his present when a pair of government agents visit him and ask him to complete one last mission: they want him to track down and kill Bigfoot. It appears that Bigfoot is the carrier of a lethal virus that will wipe out mankind, unless the monster is destroyed. Barr is reluctant at first, but ultimately agrees to find and kill the legendary creature. As he prepares to hunt down Bigfoot, we’re treated to further flashbacks of his life before and during the war, which illustrate just what he had to give up to serve his country. When Barr is faced with the choice of killing Bigfoot, or letting him go, what will he do? Will the final confrontation with the monster cost him his life?

Sam Elliott is enjoying a career renaissance recently, with high profile roles in several films, including the recent remake of A Star Is Born. He’s wonderful as Barr, quietly communicating the regret and emotional turmoil the man is suffering, while simultaneously showing us he can still be a badass. Elliott is perfectly matched by Aidan Turner, who plays the WWII version of the character. Turner doesn’t simply copy Elliott’s mannerisms; he truly inhabits Barr’s younger self. Comedian Larry Miller offers a subtle, low-key performance performance as Barr’s brother, and Caitlin Fitzgerald, Ron Livingston and Rizwan Mani are very good in supporting roles. This is a movie that’s rich in small moments, which will surprise and delight you.

Writer-director Kryzkowski and his crew do a masterful job with the film; it’s remarkably old school in its look and feel. There are some striking images, courtesy of cinematographer Alex Vender. The talented director had some high-profile help while working on the movie. Writer-director John Sayles and special effects maestro Douglas Trumbull are executive producers on the film. Both men have mentored Kryzkowski, and are big fans of his work. Trumbull even assisted with some of the effects sequences for the film. The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot is a remarkable film that has its own quirky charm. It’s clear that everyone involved was passionate about this project. Give it a try if you’re looking for something unique on movie night. The movie is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and various on demand platforms. You can take a look at the trailer by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doE2ZjceDRU.