Netflix’s ‘Masterpiece’ War Film Is Being Compared to ‘Schindler’s List’ — But Its True Story Makes It Even More Devastating

Some films stay with you long after the credits roll. For viewers of The Bombardment, that feeling comes from a real-life tragedy so heartbreaking that many have struggled to put their reactions into words.

The 2021 Danish war drama, also known as The Shadow in My Eye (Skyggen i mit øje), has earned widespread praise for its haunting portrayal of one of the most devastating mistakes of the Second World War. Some viewers have even compared its emotional intensity to Schindler’s List, while others have called it a masterpiece.

Written and directed by Ole Bornedal, the film centres on Operation Carthage, an RAF air raid on Copenhagen in which a school full of children was mistakenly identified as a target and bombed.

It is a story rooted in a tragic historical event — and that reality is what makes the film particularly difficult to watch.

The Tragic True Story Behind ‘The Bombardment’

Set during the Second World War, The Bombardment follows several residents of Copenhagen whose lives become intertwined when a British bombing mission accidentally strikes a school.

The film’s official synopsis captures the central tragedy: “The fates of several Copenhagen residents collide when a WWII bombing mission accidentally targets a school full of children.”

Rather than focusing solely on the military operation, Bornedal’s drama explores the people caught up in its consequences. Children, families and other residents find their lives changed by an event they had no control over.

That human perspective gives the film much of its emotional weight. The tragedy is not simply presented as another episode in wartime history; it is shown through the lives of those who suffered its consequences.

The cast includes Alex Høgh Andersen, Fanny Bornedal, Ella Josephine Lund Nilsson, Ester Birch, Danica Ćurčić, Susse Wold, Bertram Bisgaard Enevoldsen, Malena Lucia Lodahl, Alban Lendorf, Caspar Phillipson and Patricia Schumann, alongside a larger ensemble.

Critics Praise Its Performances and Unflinching Story

Despite the difficult subject matter, the film has received strong recognition from critics. It holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, according to the review score cited in the original report.

One critic praised the film’s focus on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, writing: “By showing us the people caught at the crossroads of beginnings and endings, this film becomes a timely nod to a difficult truth.”

Another review acknowledged that the film sometimes struggles to establish its wider narrative, but argued that the tragedy at its centre deserved to be told:

“While The Bombardment struggles to figure how to lay the foundation for the larger narrative of the film…this terrible tragedy is not for the faint of heart, but the story deserves to be told, and the impact of the lives lost should never be forgotten.”

A further critic described the film as “a little unwieldy”, but praised its respectful treatment of the subject and the performances of its young cast.

The film first arrived on Netflix in March 2022, bringing this lesser-known chapter of wartime history to a wider international audience.

Viewers Compare It to ‘Schindler’s List’ and Call It a Masterpiece

Audience reactions have been just as powerful. Several viewers have highlighted the film’s emotional intensity, while others have praised its direction, cinematography and performances.

One viewer drew a direct comparison with Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, writing:

“Wow……just Wow. I hope this won some really high award in Europe because it blew me away. What’s worse, is that this is a true story. This was as intense as Schindler’s List. This is a very serious film about a horrendous mistake when Britain bombed a Gestapo building in Denmark, but mostly hit a large school instead.”

Another viewer gave the film an enthusiastic five-star reaction:

“Absolutely fantastic, heart breaking, intense all wrapped in one, amazing directing and even at the ending, moments stay in you’re mind. Great actors/actresses. Well portrayed 5 stars.”

One fan went as far as calling it a masterpiece, while warning others about the emotional impact:

“Masterpiece. Very sad to see, but this was done so well. Acting on the spot, cinematography brilliant, you get sucked into the action and just brilliant. Very very tragic story, be warned this is hard to swallow…”

Another viewer described it as a deeply affecting cinematic experience, praising the way it explores humanity and resilience amid the destruction of war.

The reactions point to what makes The Bombardment stand out for many viewers: it is not an easy film to sit through, but its subject is one they believe deserves to be remembered.

Where to Watch ‘The Bombardment’

For anyone looking for a serious historical drama rather than a conventional action-packed war film, The Bombardment offers a deeply emotional account of a real wartime tragedy.

The film is currently available to stream on Netflix.