Battleground
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Movie Reviews of Battleground
Movie Review: Never To Be Forgotten World War ll Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Outstanding performances by Van Johnson, John Hodiak,and James Whitmore.
A truly fine reinactment of The Battle of The Bulge.
Movie Review: Classic war film sets a new tone
Summary: 4 Stars
"Battleground" is filled with so many good character actors it's hard to know where to begin. Let's do it alphabetically - James Arness, Douglas Fowley, John Hodiak, Van Johnson, Richard Jaeckel, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, Marshall Thompson, and James Whitmore.
James Arness is best known as Marshall Dillon on TV's "Gunsmoke" from 1955 to 1975 and subsequently has returned every so often for various Gunsmoke TV movies. Before he put on the star for Dodge City, Arness got his big break from John Wayne who cast him in four films in the early 50s. Personally I like to remember him as the original "The Thing" (1951). Arness was a decorated WW 2 vet, serving as a rifleman. He landed on Anzio Beach.
Douglas Fowley appeared in more than 300 films and TV shows from 1933 to 1982. He's best remembered as the director in "Singing in the Rain" (1952) and as Doc Holiday in the TV series "Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955-61). In the film, Fowley plays with his false teeth. In fact, Fowley lost his teeth while serving in the Navy aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
John Hodiak's brief career included memorable roles in "Lifeboat" (1944), "A Bell for Adano" (1945), and "Command Decision" (1948).
Van Johnson appeared in more than 100 films between 1940 and 1992. He made several WW 2 films ("30 Seconds Over Tokyo", "Command Decision", "Two Girls and a Sailor", "Go For Broke"). He's probably best known as Lieutenant Maryl from "The Caine Mutiny" (1954).
Richard Jaeckel appeared in more than 100 films between 1943 and 1993. He was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor opposite Paul Newman in "Sometimes a Great Notion" (1970) but is probably remembered best for his role as the Sergeant in "The Dirty Dozen" (1967).
Ricardo Montalban is best remembered as Mr. Roarke from "Fantasy Island" (1977 - 84) and from his role in Star Trek as Khan, a role he performed on TV and on the big screen. Montalban won an Emmy for his role in "How The West Was Won" (1978).
George Murphy is best remembered as the Senator from California (1965 - 71). His undistinguished film career lasted from 1934 to 1955 and included a few dozen films.
Marshall Thompson's boyish looks served him well as "the new kid" in films like "They Were Expendable" (1945) and "Command Decision" (1948). From 1944 to 1991 he appeared in more than 50 films and transitioned to TV in the early 50s. He had recurring roles as Johnny Smith in the series "Angel" (1960-1) and Dr. Marsh Tracy in "Daktari" (1966-9).
The great character actor James Whitmore was nominated for an Oscar for this film and for "Give `em Hell Harry" (1975). He won the Golden Globe for this film and also won an Emmy for his appearance in an episode of "The Practice" (1997). One of his best roles came late in life, at the age of 73, when he played a convict unable to adjust to the real world in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994). Whitmore served as a Second Lieutenant in the Marines in WW 2.
The film was directed by William Wellman. Wellman was nominated 4 times for an Oscar, winning for Best Writer in 1938 for "A Star is Born". He was nominated for an Oscar and a DGA for "The High and the Mighty" (1954) and among his many war films are "Darby's Rangers" (1958), "Blood Alley" (1955), "The Story of GI Joe" (1945) and "This Man's Navy" (1945). Among his non war films are such classics as "The Ox Bow Incident" (1943) with Henry Fonda, "Beau Geste" (1939) with Gary Cooper and Brian Donlevy, and "Public Enemy" (1931) with Jimmy Cagney. Wellman served in WW 1. He was the first American to join the "Escardrille" and was highly decorated.
Robert Pirosh wrote and co-produced. Pirosh's early work was with the Marx Brothers ("Night at the Opera", "Day at the Races"). He won the Oscar, the Golden Globe, and the WGA award for "Battleground". Pirosh had been a Master Sergeant and led a patrol into Bastogne where the film takes place. Pirosh went on to do several more war films (e.g., "Hell is for Heroes") and then the TV series "Combat" (1962-7).
The great Dore Schary shared production credit. Schary was nominated for an Oscar 5 times, winning in 1939 for "Boys Town". His 1958 play "Sunrise at Campobello" won 5 Tony awards and he wrote and produced the film with Ralph Bellamy as FDR.
Paul Vogel won the Oscar for cinematography. He was nominated again in 1962 for "The Brothers Grimm". Among his memorable films were "The Student Prince" (1954), "The Tender Trap" (1955), and "The Time Machine" (1960).
The focus of the film is the Battle of the Bulge. Other films to cover this topic include "Attack" (1956), "Battle of the Bulge" (1965), "Patton" (1970), "A Midnight Clear " (1992), "Hart's War" (2002) and "Saints and Soldiers" (2004). There is also a 1994 PBS documentary "Battle of the Bulge" and the battle is covered in the TV series "Band of Brothers".
What distinguishes "Battleground" from the war films that went before it is the focus on the men and their foibles and their lives outside the combat. Indeed, the first half of the film has no war footage at all. Films like "Bataan" (1943), "Guadalcanal Diary" (1943), "The Fighting Seabees" (1944), "God is my Co-Pilot" (1945), "They Were Expendable" (1945), "Command Decision" (1948), "The Sands of Iwo Jima" (1949), and "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949) are essentially war films while "Battleground" is a film about the warriors, not the war.
The film is also notable for its focus on the Platoon, rather than on individuals. This focus would become commonplace in the TV series "Combat" and later "Band of Brothers".
The film received 6 Oscar nominations (Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, Writing, Cinematography, Editing), was previewed by President Truman, and was MGM's biggest box office success in 5 years. It was so good MGM tried a follow-up in 1951 "Go For Broke" with Van Johnson, directed by Pirosh and produced by Schary.
Movie Review: Triumph under fire
Summary: 4 Stars
Being entitled Battleground you might think this film to be non-stop combat, but it isn't. It is so much more than an ordinary "war" film. One won't spy a tank in this film, for instance, until more than 90 minutes into this story; the story of the boys of the 101st who held out in Bastogne until the skies permitted aerial support to come to the rescue in this Battle of the Bulge. Skirmishes there are, however, up until this point, as a prelude---seemingly---to that which will ultimately test them; in which these soldiers show their individual mettle as well as insecurities. It's the story of a historically significant moment, but told from the vantage point of foxholes, in other words, and the GIs that dug them, holed up in them, and sprung from them to engage hostile German combatants. Van Johnson and company are convincing & the direction in this film is commendable. A number of scenes and/or specific camera shots are simply well framed & thus add to the dramatic effect of the lines being delivered by members of this fine cast. There are not that many World War Two-era films as well presented as this one. Do give it a chance (but keep in mind that it's a measured film---almost 2 hours in length, & more dramatic than action-packed). My only complaint herein or rather wish would be that they would've filmed more of Battleground beyond MGM's sound stage doors---dialogue in one particular street scene, for instance (wherein troop trucks roll into a town) bares the traces of an indoor echo. In addition, the artificial snow utilized is no better than passably realistic at times. (Do also catch another fine 'Bulge' story entitled Saints and Soldiers). (04Dec) Cheers!Movie Review: Bastogne, Belgium, Dic 1944!
Summary: 4 Stars
Battlegorund was for its time the most ambitious recreation about Bulge's battle during WW2. (Lately Ken Akin would make a remake in 1965, but without reaching the astonishing spark of this film).
The film by itself received five nominations and two awards. Nominated as Best Film, Best Direction (William Wellman), Best supporting actor (James Whitmore), won as Best Script and Best Photograph.
Realistic and superbly filmed (although for some, it may be dated). A must-see.
Movie Review: Battleground. "A see again movie"
Summary: 4 Stars
Battleground is a very unique W.W.II movie. It shows the suffering and determination of the men of the 101st Airborne division. Surrounded by the enemy. Totally cut off. See how they survive. It' U.S.A. all the way! the Characters in this movie are unforgettable. Each, their own definite personality. Hardy and tough. Then showing both compassion and lightheartedness to downright funny to brave their anxiety in the dilemma they were hoisted to. Great acting. great casting! It is truly a must see movie.