| Accessories By Manufacturer | |
|
|
Email Newsletter
Get info on Sales, Events, New Products, and More!
|
|
|
|
|
| Battleground | 
 enlarge | Director: William A. Wellman
Actors: Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, Marshall Thompson
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $12.98
Buy New: $4.43
You Save: $8.55 (66%)
New (36) Used (10) from $4.43
Avg. Customer Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 11280
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), German (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 118
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D67521D
ISBN: 1419811045
UPC: 012569675216
EAN: 9781419811043
ASIN: B0007TKNLU
Theatrical Release Date: January 20, 1950
Release Date: May 3, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed; hard to find DVD in MINT condition!!
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Best B&W war film! September 16, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Others have given good informational reviews in regard to the story -- it's about The Battle of The Bulge during WWII (I actually had an uncle killed there!). This is, in my opinion, the finest B&W war film ever made. It's realistic and fairly historically accurate, especially regarding the misery that the soldiers endured. Buy it -- it's a fine movie.
The Original Band of Brothers August 9, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Long before there was the miniseries "Band of Brothers", there was "Battleground." The story of the 101st Airborne's heroic stand against Germany's final massive assault in the Ardennes - commonly referred to as the "Battle of the Bulge" - and the effects of combat on regular GIs. This movie is as spectacular as it is underrated. Whereas movies such as "Patton" and "Battle of the Bulge" get much airplay and acclaim, "Battleground" sort of sneaks by under the radar, even though it was a fairly major film for its time. With stars such as James Whitmore, Richard Jaeckel, Van Johnson, Denise Darcel, and John Hodiak (did I forget a young Ricardo Montalban?), this film had a substantial talent pool. It also did what few films made today: it took a real event that was remarkable for its drama and importance, and did not overblow it. Rather, they "played it straight," and the result can be overwhelmingly powerful at times.
"Battleground" is a black and white picture, and it makes the images of snow "feel" colder to the eye. The lack of bright red blood is not missed - you know it is there. It is conspicuous by its absence, but again, your mind knows it is there. And you get to like these guys - you really do. And it hurts when they die. Rarely do you really get to care about soldiers in a war movie, and here you really do. Maybe it's because in real life, my uncle was one of those guys at Bastogne - or perhaps it is because it is just an excellent film.
In short, "Battleground" is easily my pick for the best film made about land combat in the European Theater (for air combat, I would say "12 O'Clock High," and for sea, it would most likely be "Das Boot.") It is simply that outstanding a movie, and if I could, I would replace the annual Patton-fest on Ted Turner's networks with it (not to short-change George C. Scott, even though he got the voice all wrong.)
If you want a great WW2 movie, get "Battleground." You will thank me.
one of the best depictions of what it was like during the Battle of the Bulge from the American point of view August 8, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What I really liked was the acting by the veteran actors (meaning experienced in the acting, not necessarily in the military sense). My favorite was James Whitmore as the tobacco chewing, gritty sergeant who kept going although his feet were frozen. Van Johnson, Ricardo Montalban, Jim Arness, Richard Jaekel and others were fantastic in their memorable roles. I will always remember Van Johnson's character with the raw eggs dripping off his steel pot. That scene where the GI is blowing smoke rings in the face of the German soldier while negotiations were going on with General McAuliffe (who answered the Germans with "Nuts!) showed the termity and stubborness of the 101st Airborne at Bastogne. I remembered those scenes when I saw it back in the 1950's as a kid. They always will be with me. They showed how human the GI was.
Technically, it is not at the same level as Saving Private Ryan, but at that time the expertise. This was before Stephen Ambrose got veterans involved in telling their stories and in the making of movies. Sure I would have liked to see more of the German soldiers and tanks, but the movie reflected the times.
OMG! My dad is portrayed in this movie. Is yours? July 7, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My father, Everest R. Kenne, died in the 1970's. I knew he'd served in the battle of the Bulge and had frozen feet in the process. He was made acting sergeant at the time and remained on the front lines despite his painful condition until he was made a cook. Can you imagine my surprise recently discovering he'd been portrayed by James Whitmore in this 1950 movie? Admittedly, he is depicted as a bit rougher character than the man I knew, and never chewed tobacco as depicted in the movie. His name is misspelled as well, in the credits as "Kinnie".
I watched the film last night and though it doesn't compare to Band of Brothers, which more fully depicts men enduring the harshness and desperation of the same battle, Battleground is a worthy offering and stands the test of time.
 Triumph under fire March 26, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Being entitled Battleground you might think this film to be non-stop combat, but it isn't. It is so much more than an ordinary "war" film. One won't spy a tank in this film, for instance, until more than 90 minutes into this story; the story of the boys of the 101st who held out in Bastogne until the skies permitted aerial support to come to the rescue in this Battle of the Bulge. Skirmishes there are, however, up until this point, as a prelude---seemingly---to that which will ultimately test them; in which these soldiers show their individual mettle as well as insecurities. It's the story of a historically significant moment, but told from the vantage point of foxholes, in other words, and the GIs that dug them, holed up in them, and sprung from them to engage hostile German combatants. Van Johnson and company are convincing & the direction in this film is commendable. A number of scenes and/or specific camera shots are simply well framed & thus add to the dramatic effect of the lines being delivered by members of this fine cast. There are not that many World War Two-era films as well presented as this one. Do give it a chance (but keep in mind that it's a measured film---almost 2 hours in length, & more dramatic than action-packed). My only complaint herein or rather wish would be that they would've filmed more of Battleground beyond MGM's sound stage doors---dialogue in one particular street scene, for instance (wherein troop trucks roll into a town) bares the traces of an indoor echo. In addition, the artificial snow utilized is no better than passably realistic at times. (Do also catch another fine 'Bulge' story entitled Saints and Soldiers). (04Dec) Cheers!
|
|
|
Site by: Troy Peterson | |
