Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, this action drama focuses on an unlikely World War II squad, tasked by President Roosevelt to retrieve artworks stolen by the Nazis and return them to their rightful owners.

This could easily have been Roosevelt’s 11, if the scales had tipped one way or O Brother Where Art Thou Art, if they’d gone the other.

That it is not is a credit to the writers, director and producers for staying (mostly) true to a fascinating story – part Boys Own adventure and part human tragedy. That the man wearing all of those caps (writer, director, producer) is none other than George Clooney may surprise some because, like his buddy Brad Pitt, his talent and drive can be overlooked or overshadowed by his fame.

Not seeing the amazing forest for the celebrity trees? Or perhaps snow blinded by their good looks and charm (quelle surprise) the world seems to constantly demote them to Ken dolls when they are both heavyweight producers, humanitarians, expressive actors and, in Clooney’s case, a talented director – check out his imdb page to learn more.

Clearly, I’m a fan (quelle surprise again). This film also stars the French answer to Clooney – Jean Dujardin (The Artist) – making me a happy little Vegemite.

To add to my glow there is the rest of the cast: Cate Blanchett (more French than Jean himself), the soulful John Goodman, Matt Damon … I know, right? But wait, there’s more – the wonderfully deadpan Bob Balaban (Moonrise Kingdom), the wonderfully rubbery Bill Murray and Hugh Bonneville – is it cool yet to say I liked him before Downton Abbey?

Phew! How did Clooney keep a straight face on set – and keep the upstaging and grandstanding off the screen? I don’t know how, but he did! Even more, everyone works wonderfully well as an ensemble, low key but serious enough to do justice to the story. The humour, which pops up quite naturally, comes from the everyday madness of war and nothing overstated or contrived.

This is an entertaining, rich film that is also quite intimate. A story about a tiny group of people trying to salvage European culture. If you do not think art is worth all this effort, think again – and listen to Clooney convince Roosevelt and then the rest of the team that they need to do what they do. Great arguments, even now, as to why art is important.

It does not shy away from the saddest facet of the Nazi thefts either – the Jewish owners – but it is not a grandstand for revenge. It depicts art being stolen from churches, museums and galleries too.

It is not absolutely accurate – names are changed, people are amalgamated to create a more dramatic story – and some points may niggle. Rather than being started by an American, the real group was (of course) started by the Brits, a couple of years earlier than depicted. Clooney does downplay the American tub-thumping until almost the end though.

It doesn’t get the names of the churches right, or the location of some of the pieces – but what it does get right is the spirit of these people, of their quest to save the best European depictions of the human condition.

And it quietly, but regularly, reminds the audience of the human cost of war in juxtaposition to the cultural cost.

It held my attention from beginning to end.