Monuments Men: discover the true story behind George Clooney’s film – CinéSéries

In 2014, comedian George Clooney once again went behind the camera for “Monuments Men”. Did you know that his World War II film was based on a true story?

Men Monuments : a five-star cast

After a first part of his career where he distinguished himself as an actor, George Clooney wanted to go behind the camera. In 2002, he directed his first feature film: Confessions of a Dangerous Man. A first test that received positive feedback. Following this critical success, George Clooney persevered and staged 7 other moviesthe last of which, The Tender Barreleased in 2021.

Men Monuments ©Sony Pictures

Among these achievements, George Clooney directs Men Monuments in 2014. Without being considered his best film, the feature film made an impression thanks to its mind-blowing cast. George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Bob Baladan and even French Jean Dujardinthey are all featured in this amazing story inspired by real events.

The true story behind the film

Men Monuments takes place during World War II. The story tells of the fate of a few men, who gave everything to save priceless works of art from the destruction of this World War II. Seven men, who have no military training, threw themselves into the heart of the conflict to save works of art from the hands of the Nazis.

The real Monuments Men
The real Monuments Men ©Le Figaro

Well this short synopsis is Inspired by a True Story. The first trace of the Monuments Men goes back to 1943. At that time, the Americans created a body of committed soldiers dedicated to the “safeguarding of art, monuments and archives”. Nicknamed the Monuments Men, this section was distributed among the various Allied armies.

If in George Clooney’s film, they are only 7, they were much more in reality. Indeed, the section dedicated to the safeguarding of art, monuments and archives contained more than 350 individuals, from 13 different nationalities. They were museum curators, historians, archivists, enthusiasts, usually had over 40 and were considered unfit for combat (like in Clooney’s movie).

An invaluable intervention

The Nazis spent much of the war plundering Europe of its cultural riches. In 6 years, Hitler’s troops amassed several million works of art. Historians estimate their hoard at approximately 5 million works of art. The Monuments Men thus participated in the rescue of some of these works, to then return them to their legitimate owners.

It was Roosevelt who agreed to George Stout, unofficial future leader of the Monuments Men, to form this shock team. A choice he made after the Allies failed to destroy Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.

Men Monuments
Monuments Men ©Sony Pictures

As for the characters themselves, the names have been changed in Men Monuments. No doubt that George Clooney portrays a fictional portrayal of George Stout. Finally, the character that comes closest to a real identity is that of Cate Blanchett. If in the movie her name is Claire Simoneit is actually from a performance by Rose Valland. Curator of the Jeu de Paume during the Occupation, member of the Resistance, she allowed the rescue of many works of art by secretly listing the contents of the boxes containing private collections. She then provided this valuable information to the Allies. To learn more about their history, we suggest reading Robert Edsel’s book, entitled Monuments men: Rose Valland and the commando of experts …which inspired George Clooney’s film.

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Monuments Men: discover the true story behind George Clooney’s film – CinéSéries