THE MAN WHO KILLED HITLER AND THEN THE BIGFOOT

THE MAN WHO KILLED HITLER AND THEN THE BIGFOOT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 -- Oscar nominated veteran actor Sam Elliott stars in this under the radar flick directed by novice Robert D. Krzykowski that could have been much better than it is. And no, this is NOT the film for which Elliott was nominated, but let's say he nearly saves it.

To say the best thing this film has going for it - aside from Elliott's attempt to add sincerity to a ludicrous role - is the title. It draws you in with a curiosity of history colliding with American folklore but pretty much leaves you there. In fact, it's easier to reference a similarity to the disappointing 2011 flop "Cowboys & Aliens", which also unsuccessfully mixed genres.

This one takes it a bit more seriously as Elliott plays Calvin Barr, an old retired loner who lives with his dog...naturally. But as a young man he was a specially trained soldier/agent who was assigned with the task of infiltrating the Nazi's and killing Hitler. The film reflects on his deed and the conflict he later has when he must also kill all the various Hitler look-alikes the Nazi's have planted to keep the movement alive.

However as a senior, he is approached by two government agents who now need him to use is old tracking skills to hunt down and kill the legendary bigfoot that is living in the Great Northwest but now carrying a very contagious and lethal disease. The disease will wipe out civilization if it isn't contained. Barr is the only man for the job, because he also has some sort of immunity to the disease.

To slow things down and drag out the film, Krzykowski tosses in a subplot of a lost love of Barr's. He wastes a lot of time on Barr's psyche instead of Barr's toughness. There are lost opportunities to expound on Barr as an emotionless Dirty Harry type, or maybe a cold-hearted Paul Kersey ("Death Wish"). Instead we're are left with a hybrid tough guy-brooder.

Sam Elliott does the best he can as he appears in 95% of the scenes, but the story just deteriorates into lame-land.

"The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot" initially piques your curiosity, but once you get pass the catchy title and into the story your interest will die as quickly as the third Hitler stand-in. -- GRADE C - -- GEOFF BURTON

GEOFF BURTON