Battleground..2.45 film 4, today the 8th dec...

1949) William A Wellman's seminal Oscar-winning study of men in war centres on a platoon of GIs defending Bastogne during the 1944 Battle of the Bulge.

Review

The Battle Of The Bulge, the last major offensive of World War II, gets one of its many movie treatments, with Johnson and Montalban heading the cast of American soldiers trapped in the Belgian town of Bastogne while it is surrounded by the Germans. On the surface this looks like your average testosterone laden boy movie, but although it's unlikely to reach beyond the inevitable male audience Battleground does offer a bit more substance than most, with decent characterisations and flashes of dark humour in between the gravity of the situation. A cool mix of suspense drama and thoughtful war piece.

 

Oddly enough, I just watched that fine film again last week. I have access to it on the Netflix "instant watch" option, and just played it over my 'puter and onto my TV. Great show, I still just love it when they are marching out and Kinney starts the cadence count, and they straighten up, march in great form and are looked at with respect by those men coming in to replace them. Still sort of gives me a "tingle" up my spine if you get my drift.

 

I've recorded it, so I might actually get to see it this time round.

 

Thats a great shot of Richard JAeckel and Van (Holley) Johnson with his tete in his helmet smelling his eggs.

 

Just whatched it great atmosphear. Love B/W war films, love the eggs!