'If Hitler dies they're to destroy everything': Matt Damon convinces Cate Blanchett to help him save art from the Nazis in new Monuments Men trailer

By Iona Kirby

PUBLISHED: 15:48 EST, 11 October 2013 | UPDATED: 05:25 EST, 12 October 2013

He is joined by a star-studded cast but it looks like Matt Damon is set to be the hero in upcoming movie The Monuments Men.

A new trailer for the film was released on Friday and provides a more serious look at the movie than its predecessor, which focused largely on the light-hearted moments.

The Monuments Men is about a group on the frontlines in Europe during World War II as they attempt to save precious art stolen by Nazis.

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Joining forces: Matt Damon enlists the help of Cate Blanchett in a new trailer for The Monuments Men

Joining forces: Matt Damon enlists the help of Cate Blanchett in a new trailer for The Monuments Men

In the second trailer, Matt’s character, Lt. James J. Rorimer, is sent to France in a bid to enlist the help of Rose Valland, played by Cate Blanchett.

Cate, who pulls off a French accent, is seen puffing away on a cigarette as her character asks: ‘How can I help you steal our stolen art?’

It seems Rose is reluctant to come to James’ age, but he eventually manages to convince her to help him and his men.

 
Bonjour: Cate can be seen pulling off a French accent to play Rose Valland in the movie
Bonjour: Cate can be seen pulling off a French accent to play Rose Valland in the movie

Bonjour: Cate can be seen pulling off a French accent to play Rose Valland in the movie

Convincing: When Matt's character tells Cate's that art will be destroyed, she agrees to help

Convincing: When Matt's character tells Cate's that art will be destroyed, she agrees to help

‘Look at this. It says if Hitler dies or Germany falls they’re to destroy everything,’ he tells her, which gets her attention.

Once Rose has done her part in helping to figure out ‘where the French art has been hidden’, she informs James: ‘It’s your responsibility now.’

George Clooney, who plays George Stout, at first had to convince Matt’s character to help him but it seems the pair develop an unlikely friendship.

'It's your responsibility now': Rose does her part before leaving it up to Lt. James J. Rorimer and his men
'It's your responsibility now': Rose does her part before leaving it up to Lt. James J. Rorimer and his men

'It's your responsibility now': Rose does her part before leaving it up to  Lt. James J. Rorimer and his men

An unlikely team: The film is about a group on the frontlines in Europe during World War II as they attempt to save precious art stolen by Nazis

An unlikely team: The film is about a group on the frontlines in Europe during World War II as they attempt to save precious art stolen by Nazis

‘While we must and will win this war, we should also remember the high price that’ll be paid if the very foundation of modern society is destroyed,’ George explains.

‘We have been tasked to find and protect art that the Nazis have stolen.’

And George is rather convincing, stating to the soldiers: ‘They tell us who cares about art, but they’re wrong. Which is the exact reason we’re fighting. For culture, for a way of life.’

In charge: George Clooney, who directed and co-wrote the movie, spearheads the group as George Stout

In charge: George Clooney, who directed and co-wrote the movie, spearheads the group as George Stout

Convincing: George rallies the troops by telling them that they are fighting 'for culture, for a way of life'

Convincing: George rallies the troops by telling them that they are fighting 'for culture, for a way of life'

The film also stars Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin and Hugh Bonneville and is due for a December 18 release.

It is based on a real-life group of museum curators and art historians who set out to rescue art from destruction during World War II.

Although the team consisted of 345 men and women from 13 different countries, the new film appears to only look at the American members of the group.

The movie, which is George's directorial follow-up to The Ides Of March, is based on the book The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves And The Greatest Treasure Hunt In History by Robert M. Edsel.

Based on a true story: John Goodman, seen left with George, also stars in the film based on real events

Based on a true story: John Goodman, seen left with George, also stars in the film based on real events

Action-packed: The Monuments Men looks set to be explosive and has a December 18 release date

Action-packed: The Monuments Men looks set to be explosive and has a December 18 release date

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* Although the team consisted of 345 men and women from 13 different countries the new film appears only to look at the American members of the group* No surprise there then give it long enough and Hollywood will manage to convince us that it was only America who was in it and won the war single handedly ,after all they´ve already convinced a whole generation that they cracked the Enigma code ,only they who were on the Normandy beaches,and if they ever remake the Dambusters it will be a wholly American enterprise

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Hitler was the best thing to ever come along for Hollywood and an endless source of material for the rubbish mill they operate. They were made for each other.

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With this cast, I would hardly care what the story was about but this will probably be a great film.

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Oh Cate.

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Looking forward to the film as saw them filming at Duxford

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I don't hate her, but there is something a little too perfect about her for my liking.

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I can't wait to see this film. I saw Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine and she really is the most amazing and talented actress. Certainly the best Australian actress of her generation!

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Hollywood rewrite of history I suppose?

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It's a pretty disgusting concept to even make a movie about these people who were involved in 'saving' art instead of 'saving' human beings. Priorities a bit wrong there. That someone made a movie about this nonsense is even worse. A bit shameful.....like the Swiss.

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Kate does "plain" very well.

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