Battleground
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Movie Reviews of Battleground
Movie Review: Very good....
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not the standard WW2 ultra-patriotic "shoot-em-up movie", but rather one which emphasizes the life of the soldier as a member of a platoon. To be sure, there are some skirmishes, with fatalities involved, but this is not a movie dependent upon explosions and gun fire at all times.
The cast is excellent, with Van Johnson ( Holley), the light-hearted wisecracker of the outfit, and John Hodiak ( Jarvess), who portrays a small-town journalist who enlisted to fight. Other cast members are as follows:
Ricardo Montalban ( Rodriguez), an religious LA native who has never seen snow;
George Murphy ( Pop Stazak), an older soldier who accepts a dependency discharge to help his ailing wife at home, but who can't leave just yet;
James Whitmore ( Kinnie), an experienced platoon leader with the common touch, who suffers from frozen feet, but soldiers on;
Doug Fowley ( Kip), the biggest griper in the unit, and the one who constantly clicks his false teeth that he may have acquired through dubious circumstances;
Don Taylor ( Standiferd), a light-hearted soldier with a fondness for cognac;
Herbert Anderson( Hansen), a bespectacled family man from Springfield, IL, who demonstrates quiet competence and bravery in a critical moment;
Richard Jaeckel (Bettis), a soldier who experiences "shell shock", and has difficulty with battle scenes;
Bruce Cowling ( Wolowicz), a football-loving sergeant-type who has strong leadership skills;
Jerome Courtland ( Abner), the stereotypical rural Southerner, with a pleasant, easy-going manner, and a fondness for folk songs;
Marshall Thompson ( Layton), the young newcomer, who must learn to find his way into adjusting to life in a combat platoon;
A good movie, the characters are fairly well-developed, and there are a number of scenwes that are quite memorable, and with no small amount of humor , as well. Some of the characters exhibit questionable bevaior at times, but they are all likeable, and tehy redeem themselves well. Not all of them make it, but in war movies, this is not unusual. I can recommend this movie strongly; it will surprise and entertain you at the same time.
Movie Review: The Original Band of Brothers
Summary: 5 Stars
Long before there was the miniseries "Band of Brothers", there was "Battleground." The story of the 101st Airborne's heroic stand against Germany's final massive assault in the Ardennes - commonly referred to as the "Battle of the Bulge" - and the effects of combat on regular GIs. This movie is as spectacular as it is underrated. Whereas movies such as "Patton" and "Battle of the Bulge" get much airplay and acclaim, "Battleground" sort of sneaks by under the radar, even though it was a fairly major film for its time. With stars such as James Whitmore, Richard Jaeckel, Van Johnson, Denise Darcel, and John Hodiak (did I forget a young Ricardo Montalban?), this film had a substantial talent pool. It also did what few films made today: it took a real event that was remarkable for its drama and importance, and did not overblow it. Rather, they "played it straight," and the result can be overwhelmingly powerful at times.
"Battleground" is a black and white picture, and it makes the images of snow "feel" colder to the eye. The lack of bright red blood is not missed - you know it is there. It is conspicuous by its absence, but again, your mind knows it is there. And you get to like these guys - you really do. And it hurts when they die. Rarely do you really get to care about soldiers in a war movie, and here you really do. Maybe it's because in real life, my uncle was one of those guys at Bastogne - or perhaps it is because it is just an excellent film.
In short, "Battleground" is easily my pick for the best film made about land combat in the European Theater (for air combat, I would say "12 O'Clock High," and for sea, it would most likely be "Das Boot.") It is simply that outstanding a movie, and if I could, I would replace the annual Patton-fest on Ted Turner's networks with it (not to short-change George C. Scott, even though he got the voice all wrong.)
If you want a great WW2 movie, get "Battleground." You will thank me.
Movie Review: "Battleground" is a World War 2 Classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
This very realistic movie about the "battered bastards of Bastogne recounts the story of the 101st Airborne's "Screaming Eagles" who were surrounded by German troops during the Battle of the Bulge. It includes a superior cast including Van Johnson, James Whitmore, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, Richard Jaeckel, Marshall Thompson, James Arness, Don Taylor, and Leon Ames.
Directed by William Wellman and produced by Dore Schary, the venerable head of production at MGM, this very human and moving story about a squad of GI's offers a rugged and gritty portrayal of the bare-bones existence and daily struggle to survive Hitler's final offensive of the war. This movie was nominated for 6 Academy Awards and won two, one for Bastogne veteran Robert Pirosh's stunningly accurate and moving story and screenplay of average soldiers called upon to overcome overwhelming odds.
This movies shines not only for the combat sequences, but especially for the way the characters react to living and fighting together day by day. They argue with each other and trade sarcastic barbs in one moment, only to show incredible compassion and brotherhood towards each other in the next. It is touching, endearing, heartbreaking and humorous. It shows the fear, the heroism, the cowardice, the desperation, and the numbing boredom and isolation of living off the land while fighting their way across the French countryside during one of the most brutal winters in European history.
While not as well known as "The Longest Day" or "The Great Escape", this movie is a very real version of what the average combat soldier experienced during World War 2. The wonderful honesty, the outstanding acting and directing, and the realism of the story make this movie an absolute classic.
Movie Review: a hero in the making
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a warm, touching and easy to believe movie. It differs from present movies in at least three different ways.
First, Van Johnson played a soldier who got cold feet in the heat of a fierce battle and his courage emerged partly by coincidence. His comrades understood that because it was a human thing to do. Second, this movie was not anti-war. The soldiers fought for the right cause. Even on the verge of total disaster after they refused to surrender to the Germans, with no bombers to destroy the German tanks, no supplies of food and ammunition, the soldiers were prepared to fight valiantly. This led to the last point. The movie conveyed an upbeat message with a most satisfying ending. The dwindled squadron exuded pride and courage for fellow soldiers to follow suit. Onward they marched on.
The movie distinguished itself with its breathtaking cinematography. The forest in which the battle took place was covered with snow and tall trees. Soldiers played baseball and football. Bond of brotherhood was strong and genuine. There are also moments of humour. Van Johnson and James Whitmore were marvellous. Each soldier displayed his unique and lovable character. One actually learnt a lot about what it's like to be in the battle. Credit must go to the director Wellman (who directed another gripping and thought provoking Ox-Bow Incident).
The movie began with a well-executed march in the base camp and ended with another, spirited and hearty one. A war movie without the burden of underpinning a pro-war/anti-war message. Just as what a good movie should be - simple yet powerful.
Movie Review: Defending Bastogne!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a fan of WWII films and in these last days I was able to see & enjoy some gems of the genre that I've been searching for a long time.
"Battleground" (1949) is a great World War II movie, directed by William Wellman, who is also responsible of such great movies as "A Star is Born" (1937) winning an Oscar as writer and was nominated for best director; "Beau Geste" (1939) and "The Ox-Bow Incident" (1943). IMHO "Battleground" is his best movie.
The present film, represents a new approach to war movies, stark reality is shown, almost as realistic as in "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) or "Band of Brothers" (2001), with less gory but equal drama.
The story is about a Company of the famous "Screaming Eagles" marched to fill a gap in the front pending the last German intent at the western front.
They end at Bastogne surrounded by German troops in the hardest winter in years & without aerial support.
Heroic yet every-day man the troops resist whatever the enemy throw them, starting a legend of endurance and sacrifice.
Playacting is really good with Van Johnson as Holley, George Murphy as Pop Stazak, Ricardo Montalban as Roderigues and Denise Darcel as Denise.
B&W photography in charge of Oscar winner Paul Vogel enhances the film by accentuating the desolate winter landscape and music composed by Lennie Hayton is top notch. Another high-point of the film is the excellent script done by Robert Pirosh.
It is a very commendable movie for all those interested in war films.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.