Search - Battleground on DVD

Tribute to the World War II Veteran

hille2000 | USA | 11/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this World War II movie about the Battle of the Bulge. I like this film because it focuses on the ordinary infantryman and is told in a very gritty fashion for its time (1949). Producer Dore Schary had the good sense to let director William Wellman (World War I veteran) film this movie in a more realistic style than a major Hollywood studio would normally have done. Robert Pirosh's competent and honest script breathes reality into the life and death daily existence of these soldiers through their turgid dialog. Paul C. Vogel's black & white cinematography is bleak and adds a sense of anxiety that puts the viewer directly into the story. Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, James Whitmore, Richard Jaeckel and Marshall Thompson are all excellent in their roles. This move is a tribute to the ordinary guy that had to leave home, go out and defend our freedoms.

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As good as it gets

J. L. Shore II | Oregon | 08/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like war movies for more than just shoot em up, special effects, and theater command decisions, then this is the movie for you. This is the soldiers tale of the Seige of Bastogne. Unlike other well made WWII movies, Battleground focuses on on platton in the 101st Airborne, or the screaming eagles. From Rodriquez cheering joyfully at his first experience with snow to Holly and his encounters with a young french woman, this it what the war was like to the everyday soldier. They didn't know what was going on, where there were headed or, whether or not they would be alive the next day. This is one of the greatest war movies of all time because it makes you feel like just one of the buck privates fighting for freedom. You know how much you care for them when at the end, the sun comes out, and you are right there cheering on the much needed air support. "Hey, how've you been!!!!""

One of the best

Brian D. Ocallaghan | Sarasota, Fl. | 10/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although somewhat dated, Battleground is as close to the Battle of the Bulge as anyone can get. The scene by the railroad trestle is taken from an actual 101st incident and is about as real as one could get including clips ejected from an M-1 rifle. A great history lesson for anyone even remotely interested in WWII."

Triumph under fire

tendays komyathy | U.S.A. & elsewhere traveling | 03/26/2005

(4 out of 5 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 lenth, & 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 soundstage 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. (04Dec) Cheers!"