About Reveille

In November 1943, a group of American soldiers and their wounded German prisoners are forced to confront their mutual humanity after taking cover together following a skirmish in central Italy.

War has been a standard element in storytelling since the beginning of time, and the war movie as a genre is beloved by people throughout the world.

Movies about war generally follow a few lead characters who step up to serve their country and fight the enemy in the name of good. The characters are able to overcome obstacles while keeping their morals intact. The main characters ultimately find glory while leaving the audience with the feeling that, even though they endured tough circumstances, in some small way, the experience was meaningful.

But those who have been to war know this an inaccurate way to show what happens. It misses the depth of the human experience in combat.

War isn't black and white. There are no clear-cut lessons or decisions. War is raw, gritty, ambiguous, and morally grey for everyone on the ground.

Big Hollywood productions don't typically prioritize historical accuracy. Instead, they focus on the hero's journey, flashy explosions, handsome actors, and an epic storyline with tried-and-true tropes.

We set out to create a different kind of war movie.

“Reveille” was created with a specific vision in mind. Its perspective of war is magnified and character-driven. Rather than sweeping themes, the focus is on details.

Our film-making journey began when the writer and director Michael Akkerman stumbled upon a story that encapsulated all he had wished to see but could not find in other war films.

Akkerman used archival documents and interviewed family members of soldiers who had survived the original events. He combined this learning with his prior research on mindsets, attitude, and experiences of combatants of World War II.

Akkerman went on to create a script inspired by actual events that happened just north of Naples, Italy in November 1943.

He knew from the very beginning that his film would prioritize historical accuracy and attention to detail above all else. So he set out to build a team of people who could help him achieve that.

After his team was in place, the script was written and casting complete, the movie hit a major roadblock. Everything changed.

Akkerman’s original plan to create a short film in late 2021 in California was changed to filming a full-length feature in southern Missouri in early 2022.

Everyone involved knew they had something powerful in their hands, but nothing had prepared them for what occurred during filming in March 2022.

It's hard to put your finger on it, to know exactly what it was that happened on set. But it was nothing short of a miracle that each person, place and thing fell into place as it did.

The cast and crew had a camaraderie and chemistry that is rare in the film industry. The mix of Michael's directing style, the incredible actors, crew and advisors resulted in a product far beyond their highest expectations.

With 10 short days to film a full-feature war movie, the actors dropped into their roles with such impact that there was not one person in the cast or crew who did not at some point shed tears on set.

Fun Facts About The Making Of Reveille

  • Under One Roof

    During the 10-day shoot the cast and crew lived under one roof together. This unique situation added to the overall bond and dynamic between the actors on screen.

  • Live Ammo

    The filmmakers decided to use live ammunition in scenes that involved firing weapons. The actors and weapon handlers were committed to making it professional and safe. The result is a realistic depiction of how recoil affects soldiers in combat.

  • Character Backstories

    Each actor received a backstory of their character’s life prior to joining the military and their experiences during the war and leading up to the events in the film. The backstories helped the actors drop into their roles and also impacted each character’s wardrobe.

  • Advisor Heavy Shoot

    A typical war movie set has only one historical advisor. This set welcomed six historical advisors and several German language advisors. The wealth of expertise made it possible to execute the level of detail and accuracy envisioned for the film.