Just a five-minute ride on the streetcar, the World War II Museum is an easily accessible landmark from the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast. For the past few years, anyone visiting the facility returned with a sense of pride, high emotion and respect for what happened during the era that was WW II. Now, the first phase of a multi-million dollar expansion opens to rave reviews. Here is a summary taken from a Times-Picayune article on what is destined to become one of the must see attractions in New Orleans:
Beneath all the multi-sensory whiz-bangery, behind the smoke, the simulated snow, the special effects, the World War II Museum’s new “Beyond All Boundaries” is, at its root, a documentary about World War II – a film on the war’s cause, its execution, its tragic toll.
Allied bombers zoom toward the audience in the World War II Museum’s new ‘Beyond All Boundaries’ show.
A magnificent and moving spectacle that explodes onto the over-sized screen of the museum’s luxurious new 250-seat Solomon Victory Theater on Friday (Nov. 6), “Beyond All Boundaries” is far more than a film. It is a world-class, theme park-style attraction combining education and entertainment in a stirring and inspiring package — one that gives New Orleans yet another reason to be proud of hosting the museum.
The show is billed as a “4D” experience, but you can take your pick as to exactly which element you think constitutes that fourth dimension. It could be the stage props – a 1940s’-style radio, a gun turret, and a concentration-camp guard tower – that rise from the floor on cue. Or it could be the snow that falls from the ceiling during the Battle of the Bulge.
It could be the rumbling seats. It could be the simulated pyrotechnics. It could be the multi-planed screens that create a unique (and glasses-less) 3-D effect, or any number of other surprises that effectively transform the film into an overwhelming and awe-inspiring experience. In reality, though, it’s the sum all of those elements, which combine to stir patriotic feelings and lodge lumps in the throats of viewers.
The show cranks up even before visitors enter the beautifully appointed theater — part of the museum’s sparkling new expansion — as a six-minute “preshow” video sets the stage. Narrated by Tom Hanks, it provides a peek at life in prewar America, a time when, Hanks tells us, the U.S. armed forces had more horses than tanks, and when its military might ranked 18th in the world — behind Romania’s.
Visitors are then invited into the Victory Theater, where a 1940s-era radio sits alone on-stage and begins at the real beginning: Dec. 7, 1941 — “a day which will live in infamy.”
American servicemen storm the beaches of Normandy in a segment from ‘Beyond All Boundaries.’
From there, the audience is taken on a global tour of what it took to fight the war, from the bustling factories of the home front to the shores of Iwo Jima, from the bloody beaches of Normandy to the snowy fields of the Battle of the Bulge, from the fiery skies over Japan to the horrors of Jewish concentration camps.
Along the way, some of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars give voice to the words of American warriors and war correspondents. In addition to Tobey Maguire, Viola Davis, Gary Sinese, Neil Patrick Harris and Kevin Bacon, a full complement of New Orleans actors takes part, including Brad Pitt, Patricia Clarkson, John Goodman and Wendell Pierce.
Although the film celebrates the bravery of America’s armed forces, it’s not all flag-waving and sailors kissing nurses in Times Square. The overwhelming sentiment is one of grim reverence for the staggering human toll of the war and the sacrifices made to end it.
Some 65 million people died in World War II, the film reminds us, underscoring that figure with ghastly wartime images, including graphic concentration camp photos, as well as some taken on bloodied battlefields. Sensitive viewers and parents of young children are strongly cautioned before entering the theater.
It all ends up being powerful, gut-punching stuff.
In the preshow, visitors are told that “Beyond All Boundaries” took five years to produce, involving the work of 500 historians, artists, craftspeople and technicians. As the movie ends, the attraction is “dedicated to all those who sacrificed to preserve liberty.”
In the cases of both of those groups – the men and women who fought the war, and the historians and show people who toiled to bring their stories to the screen – the Victory Theater more than lives up to its name, as “Beyond All Boundaries” succeeds beyond all expectations.
WAR PREPARATIONS ?A tip sheet for those heading to the new “Beyond All Boundaries” attraction at the National World War II Museum:
A tank rumbles through the North African desert in ‘Beyond All Boundaries.’ During the 6-minute preshow, stand in the back and leave the benches in the preshow area to veterans and others who might need to take a load off – they’re too close to the monitors to give you a comfortable viewing angle anyway.
Want to be among the first into the main theater? During the preshow, stand near one of the two sets of double doors flanking the monitors. After the preshow ends, they’ll swing open and you’ll be invited to enter the theater.
Want a great seat in the Victor Theater? A staff member recommended the center of the first elevated row. He was right.
Want to be snowed on during the Battle of the Bulge segment? Sit in one of the three front rows.
Parents of young children should get a babysitter. The movie is unrated by the MPAA, but it warrants a PG rating for frank images of war atrocities and battlefield scenes that include dead bodies.
A warning posted outside the theater: “‘Beyond All Boundaries’ is a 4D experience which includes loud noises, flashing lights, fog effects and sudden chair movements that may aggravate certain medical conditions.”
Ticket prices for show (and for show and museum) are: adults, $9 ($20); seniors, $7 ($15); children and students, $7 ($11); military, $9 ($10).
The Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast, located in the Uptown Garden District of New Orleans, offers special WWII rates for anyone coming to city the venue. Call us now and mention the WWII museum for a 10% discount off of posted website rates (some restrictions apply, not valid on Holidays, special events and city wide convention periods). Click here to check availability and rates. Or call 800-490-8542.
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