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Such a frustrating disappointment

Simply A Masterpiece

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

The Battle Of The Bulge, December 1944. The US 101st Airborne Division are holding the strategically vital town of Bastogne against overwhelming odds. We follow a squad of soldiers of the 101st as they battle the Germans, the elements and lack of supplies, equipment and ammunition. Superb WW2 drama. Very gritty and realistic - no gung ho heroics, no Hollywoodisms. Quite novel for its time in that most movies were still very much in WW2 propaganda mode. Great work by Van Johnson in the lead role. Good supporting performances. James Whitmore got a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his efforts.

Actual soldiers (paratroopers) from the 101st Airborne Division were hired as advisers, and, starred in this movie, to make sure 'every' detail was covered. I only wish they did that with "Battle of the Bulge" in 1965!?!?This movie includes oldies-but-goodies like Van Johnson ("Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" and "The Caine Mutiny"); Ricardo Montalban ("Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"); James Whitmore ("Planet of the Apes" and "The Shawshank Redemption"); James Arness as 'Jim' Arness ("Gunsmoke" and a US Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient of Anzio during WW2); Richard Jaeckel ("The Dirty Dozen" and "Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid"); and, The Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division! :)This is 'really' a great movie that even mentions some of the ordnance that Americans used during World War 2...like the 1903 Springfield rifle; the M1 Garand rifle; and, such techniques that were adapted by American soldiers who didn't expect what they got; but, as American soldiers...they adapted, overcame, and, survived!This movie is not only a great movie, but, a "TRIBUTE" to all of the American Military, all over the world, then and now! :)I love this movie!MM/USN 1985-1993

During the Battle of the Bulge, an American squadron is trapped in a small French town, fighting not only the Nazis but also the elements of a brutal winter. The focus is more on characters than on action, and it is interesting to watch the interactions among the colorful characters played by a large cast of familiar faces. While the battlefield scenes are mostly effective, the film runs out of steam about two-thirds of the way through and bogs down in the latter stages. While the acting is good by the ensemble, particularly effective are Montalban, Thompson, Whitmore, and Hodiak, an actor who died too young. Playing a wise guy, Johnson provides most of the comic relief.

In the waning months of World War II, a group of war-weary American soldiers fight off The Third Reich's second wind. "Battleground" suffered from a lot of backstage studio machinations, but rose to become one of the most critical and popular success stories of the era. It starts with a fine script from Robert Pirosh, who manages to make the otherwise stereotypical characters human. Drawing on his own experiences, Mr. Pirosh is able to covey the soldiers' reluctance, determination, love and sacrifice. The fighting men seem theatrical, but real. And, war veterans William Wellman (director) and Paul Vogel (cinematographer) know how to put over Pirosh's thesis. Their final argument is superfluous, but does not undermine anything - the trip was necessary, as was entering this war.********* Battleground (11/9/49) William A. Wellman ~ Van Johnson, John Hodiak, James Whitmore, Marshall Thompson