- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
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- Ronald Epstein
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Day one for me -- this is one of the best war movies of all time. And I say that as a war movie fan.
I'll tell you why in case you're on the fence.
First, the cinematic style of this movie is ahead of its time. There are quiet moments, character moments, things that seem different from the more "rah rah" WWII movies. This movie was written by someone questioning the sanity of war (and you can tell which character is his doppleganger).
Second, it's a Battle of the Bulge movie, but the characters don't know that (hah!). You experience it from the standpoint where the characters don't know there's a significant strategic encounter boiling up, and you only experience a small slice of it.
Third, there's a very creepy feel to some of the jeopardy faced by the characters -- recall that the Germans dressed as Americans (and had English speakers) and were doing secret movements in the forest. Some moments of "is he or isn't he" tension that are rare in a battle film.
Fourth, and this is huge: I think this film has the most compelling "small battle tactic" scene that I've ever seen. It's beautiful black and white, in the snow, and the German soldiers wore white battle suits. And it's beautifully shot so you can really feel how the soldiers are pinned down in battle, and how they succeed or fail (and why) in terms of their movements. Very good.
Wow. I have blindly preordered this as well. Thank You gents!
You're going to love this film. Amore, amore!Wow. I have blindly preordered this as well. Thank You gents!
While surfing Filmstruck this afternoon they had several of Wellman's films listed. I almost watched "Battleground", but decided to watch "Westward the Women" instead because I rather watch the former on Blu-ray than streaming it.I watched the Blu-ray this afternoon, and it looked magnificent. I was SO impressed with the amount of detail in the image. The sound was solid mono.
The performances are SO individually compelling. The platoon may operate as a unit, but within it are some of the most memorable characters in war movie history. James Whitmore got the Oscar nomination, but I'm not sure I wouldn't have given one to Douglas Fowley or Marshall Thompson or George Murphy. And you know there is a recipe for disaster coming for certain soldiers who don't pay heed to suggestions about being combat ready.
Great suspense, great cinematography, great mood set by director William Wellman. A classic of the first measure.