Equal parts documentary and dramatic film, E1's latest DVD release Storming Juno tells the story of a group of heroic Canadian soldiers who landed at Juno Beach on D-Day.

This flick is a little different than most other war films as it's split into two halves, one a dramatic re-enactment of the Juno Beach landing and the other a series of interviews with veterans, some of whom are featured in the dramatic portion.

The dramatic first half of Storming Juno follows Cpl. Dan Hartigan, a paratrooper who was dropped behind enemy lines the night before the D-Day attack; Lt. Bill Grayson, a rifleman who fought hand to hand on Juno Beach; and Sgt. Leo Gariepy, commander of the singularly successful tank at Juno. Dan Hartigan is played by Kevin Walker, Bill Grayson by Benjamin Muir and Leo Gariepy by Philippe Van de Maele Martin (Gariepy), all newcomers to the acting scene. The inexperience of these three men does not show in their performances; each gives a stirringly emotional portrayal of what it was like at Juno Beach on D-Day.

The film was made on a shoestring budget and was shot in a matter of weeks at Sauble Beach, Ontario. The low budget actually adds to the gritty, war-like feel of the film, as all make-up and effects were done by hand as opposed to being digitally created. In using far more subtle special effects, the message of the film is able to shine through more easily. While there is still a considerable amount of grisly violence, it is less in your face than some D-Day portrayals.

The interview portion of Storming Juno is one of the most heartfelt, touching and honest accounts of veterans, particularly Canadian veterans, in recent films. The men interviewed give very blunt yet emotional recollections of what they went through at Juno Beach, and certain moments will have you tearing up.

The best part of Storming Juno is that it is was funded by and made in Canada, and it tells an important part of Canadian history that can be easily lost in the abundance of American-centric war films. Of particular interest are the men in the film who were members of First Hussars, who happen to hail from right here in London. Perhaps you had a grandfather who was a member of the Hussars, and if you so can watch this film and think, "I bet my grandfather knew those men." It's a wonderfully surreal feeling to have even a slight personal connection to such an important film.

Although it might not be the most popular or the highest grossing D-Day movie out there, Storming Juno is an important Canadian heritage film. It is unquestionably worth your time to learn a little more about some very important Canadian men.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars