Battleground (1950)

"Why am I always volunteering for patrols?"

There were lots of war movies made during and after WWII, and many of them starred Van Johnson. Most of them chose to look at the heroic side of battle or the lives of the people at home supporting the troops. Battleground is different. It examines the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge, a group of men fighting to stay alive and in good humor amid death, destruction, and fear. This is a grim story and much more realistic than the typical MGM film.

The all star cast includes Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, Herbert Anderson, Scotty Beckett, and more. These men do a terrific job of bring a real incident to life. It is peppered with moments of humor like Johnson's bit with the eggs and moments of intense emotion. This collection of scenes makes for a powerful movie that is very telling of human nature in times of crisis. July 17, 2008

What They Did to Win the War

This film used members of the 101st Airborne Division as movie extras (the drill team). [The song "Sound Off" became a popular hit.] This story tells about the US soldiers who held the town of Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. An alarm wakes the men, they will be sent up to plug the gap made by the German advance. They are warned to dress warm: two pairs of pants, etc. The soldiers are quartered in civilian homes. Then they are ordered to move up to the front lines, and clear out the woods. They dig foxholes for protection, then are told to move out. Those on guard duty are warned against German infiltrators.

The sudden death of a new recruit provides a somber tone. They are warned against German paratroopers in the nearby woods. The patrol finds some and there are shots and action. Enemy tanks are spotted. A wounded soldier froze to death. The thick fog restricts air support. Only the wounded are considered casualties, those with frozen feet and fever must remain on the line. Then they learn they are surrounded. There is danger from the extreme cold: rifle bolts and ammunition belts get frozen. There is more action and they capture some prisoners. Bastogne is important because it controls seven highways and prevents the German advance. The Germans ask for their surrender. "Nuts!". That is strongly negative. "Was this trip necessary?" The chaplain explains why America must prevent another such war. The Germans bomb and shell Bastogne. All available troops, even the walking wounded, are summoned for the defense. The weather breaks, there is sunshine and air support. Supplies are dropped by parachute to the troops. The platoon is relieved by fresh troops and sent to the rear.

This story and screenplay were written by Robert Pirosh, a veteran of the Bastogne battle. It won two Academy Awards, one for the screenplay. You can compare the talk in this film to the earlier films about the war. How was the enemy portrayed in this film? This sanitized version of warfare met the needs of that time. Actions are often implicit (the soldier who gathers propaganda leaflets and walks away), as well as the lessons (don't leave a wounded soldier behind). May 22, 2008

"Battleground" is a World War 2 Classic!

This very realistic movie about the "battered bastards of Bastogne recounts the story of the 101st Airborne's "Screaming Eagles" who were surrounded by German troops during the Battle of the Bulge. It includes a superior cast including Van Johnson, James Whitmore, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, Richard Jaeckel, Marshall Thompson, James Arness, Don Taylor, and Leon Ames.

Directed by William Wellman and produced by Dore Schary, the venerable head of production at MGM, this very human and moving story about a squad of GI's offers a rugged and gritty portrayal of the bare-bones existence and daily struggle to survive Hitler's final offensive of the war. This movie was nominated for 6 Academy Awards and won two, one for Bastogne veteran Robert Pirosh's stunningly accurate and moving story and screenplay of average soldiers called upon to overcome overwhelming odds.

This movies shines not only for the combat sequences, but especially for the way the characters react to living and fighting together day by day. They argue with each other and trade sarcastic barbs in one moment, only to show incredible compassion and brotherhood towards each other in the next. It is touching, endearing, heartbreaking and humorous. It shows the fear, the heroism, the cowardice, the desperation, and the numbing boredom and isolation of living off the land while fighting their way across the French countryside during one of the most brutal winters in European history.

While not as well known as "The Longest Day" or "The Great Escape", this movie is a very real version of what the average combat soldier experienced during World War 2. The wonderful honesty, the outstanding acting and directing, and the realism of the story make this movie an absolute classic. March 22, 2008

battle ground movie DVD

the DVD was sent promptly and is new, a very good copy and I am very very happy with both value and shipping time. in short a good experience.
February 24, 2008

a hero in the making

This is a warm, touching and easy to believe movie. It differs from present movies in at least three different ways.

First, Van Johnson played a soldier who got cold feet in the heat of a fierce battle and his courage emerged partly by coincidence. His comrades understood that because it was a human thing to do. Second, this movie was not anti-war. The soldiers fought for the right cause. Even on the verge of total disaster after they refused to surrender to the Germans, with no bombers to destroy the German tanks, no supplies of food and ammunition, the soldiers were prepared to fight valiantly. This led to the last point. The movie conveyed an upbeat message with a most satisfying ending. The dwindled squadron exuded pride and courage for fellow soldiers to follow suit. Onward they marched on.

The movie distinguished itself with its breathtaking cinematography. The forest in which the battle took place was covered with snow and tall trees. Soldiers played baseball and football. Bond of brotherhood was strong and genuine. There are also moments of humour. Van Johnson and James Whitmore were marvellous. Each soldier displayed his unique and lovable character. One actually learnt a lot about what it's like to be in the battle. Credit must go to the director Wellman (who directed another gripping and thought provoking Ox-Bow Incident).

The movie began with a well-executed march in the base camp and ended with another, spirited and hearty one. A war movie without the burden of underpinning a pro-war/anti-war message. Just as what a good movie should be - simple yet powerful. September 29, 2007

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