There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on April 17, 2017
Great movie about the life of a GI during WWII. Gritty and humorous at times. Really shows the fighting spirit of the US.
on April 7, 2002
Before the gritty realism of "Saving Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers" there was "Battleground".
This film has to be one of the classic war films of all time. It not only stands the test of time, but has a lot of historical accuracy. The story centers on a rifle platoon from the 101st Airborne Division as seen the the eyes of a young replacement. The excitement of being placed in an elite unit is tempered by the realities of Army life. Before our young man can even try to fit in the unit is rushed to Belgium to guard an important crossroads from a major German attack. The unit has to battle winter weather and shortages of supplies in addition to the German army. The soldiers are more "Private Ryan" than the stern heroes so often depicted in other movies of that era. Men don't want to stay at the front, the weather is miserable and the average infantryman often doesn't know where he is or what's going on other than that there are people coming out of the woods that want to kill him. There's no glory, just the determined resistance of the "battered bastards of Bastogne". The movie also scores points with history buffs as all the weapons, vehicles, and uniforms are correct for the Battle of the Bulge, including rare screen appearances by the M18 tank destroyer and "quad 50" halftrack.
Filmed in classic black and white the film may be a little simplistic by modern standards but still gives one a good feel for defenders of Bastogne. The film ends not with a great triumph, but with a tired survival coupled with pride in their unit and themselves.
This film has to be one of the classic war films of all time. It not only stands the test of time, but has a lot of historical accuracy. The story centers on a rifle platoon from the 101st Airborne Division as seen the the eyes of a young replacement. The excitement of being placed in an elite unit is tempered by the realities of Army life. Before our young man can even try to fit in the unit is rushed to Belgium to guard an important crossroads from a major German attack. The unit has to battle winter weather and shortages of supplies in addition to the German army. The soldiers are more "Private Ryan" than the stern heroes so often depicted in other movies of that era. Men don't want to stay at the front, the weather is miserable and the average infantryman often doesn't know where he is or what's going on other than that there are people coming out of the woods that want to kill him. There's no glory, just the determined resistance of the "battered bastards of Bastogne". The movie also scores points with history buffs as all the weapons, vehicles, and uniforms are correct for the Battle of the Bulge, including rare screen appearances by the M18 tank destroyer and "quad 50" halftrack.
Filmed in classic black and white the film may be a little simplistic by modern standards but still gives one a good feel for defenders of Bastogne. The film ends not with a great triumph, but with a tired survival coupled with pride in their unit and themselves.
on August 15, 2015
We were just at Bastogne last month. We watched this movie as a way to fill out the individual solider's experience of the Battle of the Bulge. "Battleground" accomplishes the job really well. "Patton" is a great companion piece so that you get the Battle from the viewpoint of the officer class
on July 4, 2015
Great movie, many of the stars in the movie were in the service during World War 2. This movie shows what the soldiers in the Battle of The Bulge went through to stop Hitlers last ditch effort to keep Allied Soldiers from entering Germany in December 1944.
on January 2, 2015
A good all around war movie, a classic!
on November 8, 2016
Great 101st Airborne film. Actually was recommended by the Liberty Jump Team. A great film for the period.
on December 18, 2009
Based on the real life Battle of Bastogne this film has plenty of action for everyone. Starring Van Johnson and ably assisted by James Whitmore, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy and Marshall Thompson this film takes a realistic and gritty look at the real horrors of war. Members of the real "Battered Bastards of Bastogne" who actual fought the battle round out the cast and add authenticity to the film. A good addition for any collection.
on July 9, 2015
Battleground was a reminder of old school movie making. I liked the blk / wht becouse it takes you back to the old days of movies.
