- Van Johnson, Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy star in this remarkable war film, nominated for six Oscars(R) (including Best Picture) about courageous American G.I.s caught up in the battle at Bastogne. Year: 1949Running Time: 118 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR Age: 012569675216 UPC: 012569675216 Manufacturer No: 67521
Van Johnson, Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy star in this remarkable war film, nominated for six Oscars(R) (including Best Picture) about courageous American G.I.s caught up in the battle at Bastogne. Year: 1949Director William Wellman (The Big Heat) offered up this 1949 treatment of the Battle of the Bulge, which won Oscars for best screenplay and best cinematography. The film concentrates on the camaraderie and the divisions between the troops as they ready for the big offensive. Told in a taut narrative, the men of the 101st, led by Van Johnson, wait out the winter in the Ardennes forest to confront the German army in what would be the last major offensive of World War II. The men are demoralized and trapped, with no hope of support from the Allies as they are forced to band together and defend their position. A classically assembled war drama that nevertheless manages to be both engrossing and entertaining, Battleground is a mainstay of the genre. –Robert Lane
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March 5, 2010
#1
I was really looking forward to watching this movie when I received a VHS copy as a Birthday present.
Unfortunately, there are only a couple of combat scenes in BATTLEGROUND.
Where are the 7 crack German Divisions that surrounded Bastogne during late December of 1944? Where are the German Tanks, vehicles, and equipment?
All we get to see are a handful of Germans, and most of them are disguised as American Soldiers!
The entire movie is centered around a platoon of 101st GIs who wisecrack bad jokes all day.
Van Johnson is a Terrible lead actor.
To me, the only good war films are ones that portray the Enemy as well as the Friendlies.
BATTLEGROUND is simply another post-WWII Hollywood film that celebrates American ego and arrogance.
March 5, 2010
#2
This is one of the finest movies ever made. I have read all the reviews listed in Amazon and cannot understand how the “critics” missed the stellar performance of Denise Darcel. Who can forget the scenes of her cutting that loaf of bread with a knife dangerously close to her upper anatomy, and Van Johnson’s reactions. Or her decending the stairs of her home, with her sexy walk and again, provoking another halarious reaction from Van Johnson. I’d say she stole all the scenes she appeared in. A beautiful lady who should have gone further in her Hollywood career…… bobyoung247@aol.com
March 5, 2010
#3
I have seen this movie MANY times over the years of my life and I just appreciate it more and more. The star studded cast is too long to mention but is a plus in aiding a storyline worth only 4 stars. If you read your history books then you know this movie is based on the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ in WWII France.
Keeping my reviews pragmatic, as usual, I will say that it is truly amazing how humorous scenes are blended into what is really a horrific wartime situation for the American G.I. With death and destruction all around them the American soldiers manage to maintain some sensibilty and step up to face each and every enemy encounter. This is even a good movie that the whole family can watch and get something out of. Time well spent. Buy it. Enjoy it. I did.
March 5, 2010
#4
I like to watch WW11 movies and this has some very good actors in it. enjoyed it a lot.
March 5, 2010
#5
This movie depicts something we have lost in this country. The attitudes of the men who fought WWII have been blown away. The attitude the average American soldier had during WWII was the happy-go-lucky attitude that made the Americans so popular when they took towns in Europe. It is also the same attitude that made them charge machine guns. There are not many of them left. This movie shows that attitude perfectly.