When Trumpets Fade (1998)

First broadcast on HBO in June of 1998--shortly before the theatrical release of Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan--this World War II drama offers an equally intimate and devastating study of combat and its tragic aftermath. Set in Germany during the closing days of the war, the film uses a little-known episode of U.S. military history--the bloody battle of the Hurtigen Forest--as the backdrop for the story of a battle-weary private (Ron Eldard) who is the only surviving member of his platoon. Despite his request for dismissal on the grounds of mental disability and shell-shock, he is considered a promising soldier by his superiors, promoted to sergeant, and assigned to command a fresh platoon of young, inexperienced soldiers. The cycle of war continues, and the film ends as it began--with one soldier carrying a mortally wounded comrade from a scene of devastating loss. A veteran of several war films, director John Irvin emphasizes the gritty, physically exhausting realities of combat with keen attention to detail on location in Hungary. This film is decidedly downbeat (don't look for any Spielbergian uplift here), but its depiction of warfare is undeniably powerful, earning praise for Irvin and HBO for tackling such an uncompromising project. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

well acted

When Trumpets fade is a well acted and well directed story that is sad in the loss of life that is now all but forgotten except for this film reminding us of the sacrifice. Up there with the best war films. July 14, 2008

When Trumpet Fade

Not your standard war hero movie. Lots to think about, if you let yourself. Plenty of action, touched by fear and second guessing. I loved it. July 13, 2008

Well Done

I am always very happy to see something created that is well done. In the same caliber as Saving Private Ryan, this movie takes you too the decisions made by a reluctant participant who eventually has to deal with his overall responsibility to himself, his country, and his men. Well done, Bravo July 7, 2008

Another HBO Home Run!

This movie, together with "The Lost Battalion", demonstrates that HBO excels at producing hard hitting, historically accurate movies, making the point that, in our history, we have sent some very brave men on a fool's errand, and they have paid dearly for it, while acquitting themselves honorably.

In this case, the setting is the Hurtgen Forest in WW II, and the protagonist is a seasoned private, with a natural gift for combat skills, but a primary focus on self-survival. Events will thrust him into a leadership role, and that will gradually change his focus from self-survival, to the survival and success of the men he leads.

The Hurtgen Forest campaign was a needless meatgrinder that chewed up 24,000 Allied dead and wounded, and baffled the Germans as to why we simply didn't by-pass it. This movie pulls no punches about the stupidity of the campaign, but like "Lost Battalion", acknowledges the individual acts of heroism and self-sacrifice that take place even when the circumstances that thrust the individuals placed into that position were misguided and avoidable.

This is a powerfully acted and executed movie, and stands in stark contrast to drivel like "The Green Berets". June 24, 2008

A Sleeper War Movie

I read a few reviews of When Trumpets Fade recently and figured it would probably be worth the six dollar asking price. It most definitely was. This has become one of my favorite WWII films. I would actually place it ahead of The Big Red One, Saving Private Ryan, and Enemy at the Gates when comparing it to other modern war epics. When Trumpets Fade obviously had a much lower budget than the other films I'm comparing it to, but every dollar made it to the screen. This movie really has nice attention to detail, with accurate weapons, uniforms and vehicles (something that The Big Red One failed at). The acting is top notch, especially Ron Eldard's portrayal as kind of a selfish anti-hero. The film makers wasted no time with misty eyed nostalgia, instead focusing on a group of soldiers merely trying to survive. After watching so many WWII movies with a more patriotic slant, When Trumpets Fade is a breath of fresh air, and all the more believable because of its pessimistic outlook. I give this sleeper film my highest recommendation. The DVD itself is presented in its original aspect ratio of 4:3; it was made for Showtime. The sound isn't 5.1, but the stereo surround track still sounds very nice in Pro Logic II if you have a surround sound receiver, with plenty of explosions and clear dialogue. There are few extras to speak of, but the DVD is still a great bargain for the price. June 18, 2008

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