Battleground (1949)

Many reviews here mention the seeming tragedy that this film has been 'forgotten' or 'underappreciated' by the public...and I have to say...'it's forgotten for a reason'...and the reason is, it's just not that good. As another reviewer mentioned, there is much discussion in the film about frivolous things like homemade pie, the token southern guy with the twang/accent and various minutia from the home front. And....that's about 90% of this colossal bore. It's one thing to develop the characters, it's another to devote the entire film to said 'development' (which, I have to say, was ineffective anyway. Who really cares about the guy constantly chattering with his false teeth? This is supposed to be funny? Try tedious and juvenile)."Battleground" trades as a war film (read the film's title again), but it's as much a war film as "Macbeth" is a murder mystery. It's not a war film. It's more like "A day in the life" drama that happens to be set in Bastogne in December '44. And they picked a rather sappy group of schleps to profile, unfortunately. I found almost none of these characters interesting in the least; no heroes, no villains, almost no one with whom I can relate, or even sympathize; just a bunch of lackluster stiffs. The character played by Ricardo Montalban was really the only one I found to be genuine, personable or relatable.The film won an Oscar for B&W cinematography, which was quite good I have to say. But did anyone else notice the 'snow' often looked more like white sand than it did snow? As this was filmed on a sound stage, I'm sure it was sand. Anyone who has walked in both snow and sand knows the difference in textures, and this was not snow. Also, if it is so bitterly cold, where is the condensation when the men breathe? It was not there, for the scenes either indoors or out, which gives the film another serious hit on the 'realism' front.The film is not all bad, it has some moments. It reminded me of "Destination Tokyo," another 'war film' heavy on character development at the expense of plot that bordered on criminal. And like "Tokyo," it's not terrible but it's certainly not memorable. I can safely put it on the 'don't care to ever see this again' list. 6/10.

William Wellman directed this true WWII story about the 101st. Airborne troops stuck on the ground in December 1944 France, in the brutal winter that is thick with fog, making an air rescue difficult. The Germans have also launched a fierce final counter-offensive against Allied forces, making their situation even more desperate, as supplies (and temperatures)are running low... Stars Van Johnson, James Whitmore, Marshall Thompson, Don Taylor, and Ricardo Montalban, among others. Compelling and realistic story is well-directed and acted, with an Academy Award winning story and screenplay by Robert Pirosh that gives it the feel of authenticity.

It's rare to encounter a movie in this genre where most of the actors aren't obviously "acting." The cast, for the most part, seem to really live their part and know their stuff. The equipment, tactics, behavior, and language seems authentic and natural, not forced. That former members of the 101 Airborne helped train the cast really shines through.I appreciated how the movie didn't pull punches regarding the horrors of war. A character with a pleasing personality is just as likely to get killed as an "extra," and nobody comes across as being "bullet-proof." If your number's up, it's up, regardless of your "family back home" story. The wide variety of ages who fought in the war is nicely represented, as well. Memorable characters, with weaknesses not glossed over.The most realistic, naturally acted scene in the entire movie could have easily been cut, but I'm so glad it wasn't. The chaplain scene. So much was said, and not all of it with words. I won't spoil it, you'll know it when you see it.

THERE ARE WAR Films, and then again there are War Films. The grades that we may use to classify them are all over the map. Their classifications also cover all types of budgetary constraints; as well as every age bracket. There are those that have gotten all sorts of acclaim and awards; such as PATTON, THE LONGEST DAY, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT and APPOCALYPSE NOW.* THEN WE HAVE those, mainly made to rally the home folks, as well as the troops. Filmed and released during an actual time of conflict; we have such fine, well received and long remembered titles as : THE FIGHTING SEABEES, BATAAN, DEDSTINATION TOKYO, ACTION IN THE NORTH Atlantic, GUNG-HO, THE FLYING TIGERS and DANGEROUS MOONLIGHT (the U.K. Title. Here in the States it was released as SUICIDE SQUADRON**). The list could go on seemingly forever. They were essentially Propaganda; but that of the Good Guys, US and our Allies.A THIRD TYPE we may consider as economically made and marketed to the "Bubble Gum" trade; being for Theatres and Drive-Ins catering to the kids and teens. Appearing on Matinée Programs and those all night Movie Marathons in those "Passion Pits" were the likes of HELL SQUAD, TANK BATALLION, HELL IS FOR HEROES, UP PERISCOPE, TANK ATTACK and DONDI.MAJOR MOTION PICTURES about, say World War II,done with a more Historical perspective, were made after the cessation of hostilities in both V.E. Day and V.J. Day. Although the greater the amount of time that elapsed since the War's end meant generally better pictures, there were some really fine films made close on the heels of the end of hostilities.ONE THAT IMMEDIATELY comes to mind is the Ernie Pyle Story in THE STORY OF G.I. JOE. The other great example is today's winner in the Red Ryan Golden Circle of Honor is William Wellman's BATTLEGROUND (MGM, 1949).WE'RE TOLD THAT there was a bleepin' to do at MGM over doing this Film between Dorey Sherry and Studio Head Louis B. Mayer; with Sherry pro and Mayer taking the negative. The suits in NYC at Loew's, Inc., sided with Mr. Sherry to the point of even removing Mr. Mayer from the top position of the Studio that bore his name. This was sort of "Regime Change", Hollywood Style.AS THE CHOSEN Director, William Wellman, brought a wealth of experience both behind the camera and to the subject matter; as he was a veteran of the First World War. From the start, there is a sense of realism seldom found in any film regardless of genre.OUR STORY OPENS with the Allied Offensive on "Fortress Europa" well under way. It is perhaps 6 months after the D Day Invasion of June 6, 1944. It is Christmastime and the weather is turning cold, as expected; although there seemed to be just a little more cold and penetrating wind this year.THE TROOPS ARE seen running through some close order drill with their Sergeant Kinnie(James Whitmore in outstanding performance) proudly and relentlessly barking out the orders; on maneuvers that dated back to their first day in boot camp. Soon, the orders come to move up to the Belgain City of Bastogne. This is where most of the story takes place.IT IS DURING the digging in and bedding down in Bastogne that the emphasis of the story switches to the individual soldiers. With their training far behind them, these "Citizen Soldiers" or G.I.'s as they are called upon to do super heroic jobs on a daily basis. Regardless of who is in command, both their official objectives, as well as the survival of them and their comrades in arms was strictly up to them.THE PRODUCTION TEAM put together a cast of characters to make up the company and the platoon. Some would appear be be cast against type;and this may well have been one of the great moves in giving BATTLEGROUND its distinction. For although it is a simple matter to select those who fit into a particular casting pigeon hole; but in attempting to approach reality, we must remember the in life things don't always follow such rigid guidelines. Hence we find all types cast by fate into a common goal in a hell whole of mud, snow and wholesale death.WE CANNOT SAY enough about the outstanding group of actors assembled as the main characters of this story. Starting with Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban,George Murphy(definitely against type casting),Marshall Thompson, Jerome Courtland, Don Taylor (an up & comer), Bruce Cowling, James Whitmore, Leon Ames (hardly recognizable), Herbert Anderson(young guy & future Father of DENNIS THE MENACE on TV), Thomas E. Breen, Denise Darcel (Woo,woo,woo,woo!), Richard Jaeckel (young,handsome dude),Brett King, Scotty Becket & Tommy Bond(formerly of OUR GANG)and James Arness(soon to be TV's Matt Dillon on GUNSMOKE).AT THIS TIME we must single out one player for his contribution to the Film; that being Douglas Fowley's foray as 'Kipp' Kipton. This role gave him the chance to display his acting talents as in no other part he had during a long career. ALTHOUGH THE MOVIE was filmed here in the USA, excellent construction of sets, combined with creative inter-cutting of just the right amount of Newsreel Footage, made for the illusion of really being on the Front with those "Battered Bastards of Bastogne." IF YOU DON'T have it, get it. It'll make a fine addition to any collection. NOTE: * A lot of critics (this one included) don't really consider this to be a true "War Picture"; being more of a fictional anti-Virt-Nam War work.NOTE ** This DANGEROUS MOONLIGHT was indeed a Bfritish Production, distributed here in the U.S. by Republic as SUICIDE SQUADRON. It is noted primarily for its score by Richard Addensell; which introduced the World to "Warsaw Concerto".