Why "Battleground" is the Best WWII Movie - Reel History

[@CraigBaumer]

My Dad served in WWII and was involved with the Battle of the Bulge. He always said that this movie was one of the only Hollywood movies to get the sound of rifle fire correct. Up until "Saving Private Ryan" was one of the most realistic war movies he has seen.

[@ReelHistory]

Indeed, many veterans could relate!

[@ronmailloux8655]

@@ReelHistory Theirs is the Glory and They were not divided two English war movies should be given a look. Theirs is the glory 1946 using many of the English Paratroops that fought in Operation market garden. REALISM its there just not American so it gets ignored .

[@skualpascal6684]

another underrated film, produced in 1947 , a french film were genuine british crafts & gears were used. Le Bataillon du CIEL, from Joseph Kessel eponym book. It's all about the sacrifice of S.A.S. french commandos fighting behind nazis line, mostly in Britany. True Heroes almost forgotten by french authorities.

[@rtea7]

I also am in agreement with you, an excellent movie. One of my all time favorites.

[@danwallach8826]

One fun fact I remember about "Battleground" from an interview with Robert Pirosh is that he speciifcally used Company names like "I" and "K" because there were no companies with those designations in the 101st. That way no one could claim their company was being misrepresented.

[@megakingkong]

My absolute favorite war film. It's the military humor that they totally nailed that appeals to me. The scene when they're finally getting the supplies, and just the look of defeat, disappointment, and the 'how can they do this to us' when they open the canvas tarp and crates of Spam roll out. The guy looks like he's going to cry. Perfect.

[@Wildwest89]

The thing I found most interesting about Battleground was in the combat scenes you barely see the Germans, which is spot on descriptions of a lot of real GIs I’ve read accounts from. And when you can see the Germans it’s when they really chew them up. Most of the rest of the time you are just shooting at muzzle flash or sound or just because it makes you feel better.

[@LillianSteele-u9v]

My dad who was in the Battle of the Bulge, and stated the same thing.

[@williamrowell3628]

I haven't seen this film since I was a kid, and remember asking my dad if this was really the way it was in the Ardennes offensive. I remember him telling me how cold it was, he had nightmares about climbing out of a fox hole, and he scratched my moms face one night. He was a medic I the 8th Golden Arrow pathfinder Division. I am not exactly sure where he was in proximity to Bastone, always wanted to know? I remember him telling me about carrying a litter through the trees all broken at different levels by the artillery. Up down through over and under, hard work. This movie made me cry....I miss my dad alot.

[@LillianSteele-u9v]

And my dad was there as well. He told me and my brothers the same thing as your dad also told you. Miss him a lot. He was my hero, and because my mom also was my role model, I became a history educator because of their undying love for all three of us.

[@richardseverin1603]

Count the number of soldiers in the opening scene from the airborne platoon that the new soldiers are going to join. In the last scene count how many soldiers (paratroopers) from the same platoon that are left just a short time later.

[@ReelHistory]

Great point.

[@thelizardkingdc]

Supporting one of my favorite history channels. Fantastic details in the vids!

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you so much! Between trips to Iwo Jima and Europe this year and the accompanying videos.... every bit helps!

[@ronaldringler1497]

Hello again, Professor. Robert Pirosh was also instrumental in the former ABC series, Combat. I was addicted to that show as a youth growing up in the 1960's. It is my hope that you will choose to analyze a couple of those episodes in the future. You possess so much knowledge for a fellow so young. Makes me so damn envious. Salute to you, bro!

[@justincrittenden8685]

I had a relative at Bastogne who was in the aid station when White Christmas was played over the radio. He was at my grandparents house for Christmas one year and my grandmother started playing White Christmas on the stereo. He told her to turn it off and that he couldn't stand to hear the song after Bastogne.

[@christopherseivard8925]

“ Battleground” is one of the few that “got it right” my personal favorite? The scene where “cooks& clerks” hav been ordered into the line; he asks the infantryman to his left “ how to load it” who launches into the official definition of the M1 Rifle, “hey!” He says, “I don’t want to buy it.”, “ just load it!” It tells the story. Brilliant film. Good choice.

[@fortgrove3166]

Great movie. I served with the 101st Airborne from 2004 to 2007 and deployed with 1st Brigade Bastogne to Iraq!! I visited Bastogne when I was stationed in Germany in 2010.

[@PatrolOfficer161]

FABULOUS MOVIE!!!!! I watch it regularly when I want to see realism on the screen. I was a Vietnam Marine and the actions of the platoon in "Battlerground" are rooted in first-hand observations. Van Johnson's attempt to run in fear that is curtailed by Marshall Thompson's somewhat naive comments can be seen in Johnson's face where he wordlessly goes from "scared to death" to "back in charge" as he leads the counter-attack. Did Thompson see the fear? Only the screen writer knows for sure but the incident is never mentioned again in the movie. They all go forward and EVERYONE has moments of self-doubt ... and fear. What you do in those moments makes the difference. As a Marine and a Police Officer for twenty years after that I had my moments of self-doubts like the characters of "Battleground". I and so many others who wore the uniform(s) adapted and overcame and thankfully performed the duties everyone expected of us. In civilian life there were some cops who couldn't make the transition and entered other occupations. The movie shows that the soldiers didn't have an option and had no choice but to come around in the third act to measure up. Superb characterizations (noted by recent criticism as the dialogue being "talky") miss the point of charater development. I would guess that they can't remember the last book they read. I on the other hand am now a writer and inject my cop stories with just such development. Don't miss this movie. Reply

[@Splodge542]

I thought "Hell is for Heroes" (1962 Steve McQueen) might be worth a mention. It left an impression of the cost and futility (and the bravery required) to bust through the defences of the Siegfried Line. Looks like Robert Pirosh also wrote it. Maybe that's why it springs to mind.

[@Ekatjam]

Not bad for a movie that ended, when they ran out of film.

[@ajreyes9742]

own it on DVD....great cast.....full of legends....and a great story line.....one of my top 3 WWII Movies....and I have over 20 War Movies on DVD...and a total of 320 DVD movies altogether

[@jbellos1]

My Dad - 99/393 -was on Elsenborn Ridge. He said this movie was the closest to the real thing. He particularly commented on the authenticity of Sgt Kinnie's wrapped feet. By any measure, this is my absolute favorite WWII film. This was a great analysis, lots of great info for me. Here's a suggestion...Stalag 17. Didn't see it in your vid list. Thanks!

[@Mosey410]

My Poos boots froze to his feet. A girl in Belgium had to cut them off. His feet swelled terribly. He was with the 120th Reg. 30th Infantry.

[@josephhewes3923]

Dana Andrews: "The Best Years of Our Lives" and "A Walk In The Sun" Two spectacular movies. One WWII, one post WWII.

[@ReelHistory]

So true!

[@jessjessup2361]

I believe the African American in the chaplain scene was one of the men who taught the advanced drill seen at the beginning of the movie.

[@bobleicht5295]

Father served in the 11th Armored Div which was committed to its initial combat SW of Bastogne on 30 Dec 44. Never wanted to talk about it. About 10 years ago I invited him to join my son and I to an annual Belgian volksmarch in honor of the 82nd Abn Div. Dad said no, “One winter in Belgium was enough for me.”

[@patrickholland6848]

The thing about this movie is that there is no background music played throughout the entire thing, only at the end as they are marching off. But it still keeps you in rapt attention. That's good film making.

[@GhostofGomezDawkins]

This breakdown, review, commentary, whatever you want to call it, was superb. Thank you to both, for the time and work on this video and history in general, so much appreciated.

[@jcrotea]

Ten years after my father died, I met a man who fought in my Dad’s company (CCB 10th Armored) in Bastogne. He described Battleground as the best depiction of their experience.

[@waldoman321]

Love the smirk on SSG Kinney when the cherry LT gripes just like a salty vet would. “He’s one of us.”

[@davemac1197]

This was a nice treat on the 78th anniversary of the Ardennes counter-offensive and one of the best episodes you've done so far. Following from what your guest John Heiser was saying about the American Airborne Divisions, the original idea in the 1942 organisation for the first two Divisions raised, the 82nd and the 101st, was to have two Glider Infantry Regiments and one Parachute Infantry Regiment. It was soon realised that this would require a lot more aircraft (to tow a WACO glider carrying only 13 men) than was likely to be available, and more could be transported as paratroopers (about 18-24 men per C-47), so the ratio was reversed. Also, the Glider Regiments had only two Battalions, whereas the Parachute units had three. By the time the 82nd moved to England and were joined by the 101st for the 1944 Normandy invasion, more Parachute Regiments were trained and available, so an additional Regiment was added as an attachment to the original 'organic' formations. The 504th PIR remained in Italy as it was involved in the Anzio campaign, so the 82nd received both the 507th and the 508th as attachments to join the organic 505th, and the 101st received the 506th to join the organic 501st and 502nd. By Market Garden, the Glider Infantry Regiments were also expanded to three Battalions by breaking up the 401st GIR and adding the 1st Battalion to the 327th (101st Division) and the 2nd Battalion to the 325th GIR (82nd Division) as their 3rd Battalions. For the movie 'Battleground', this gets a little complicated, because for a long time the added battalions from the 401st would still carry the official 401st designations, the 1st Battlion still had Able, Baker, Charlie, and Dog Companies, despite being the "3rd Battalion" of the 327th, so "Item Company" used in the movie officially didn't exist, but corresponds to Able Company of the 401st. I'm not sure if the official designations for I,J,K,L/327th and 325th were ever implemented, and when - perhaps someone could help me out here, because I've not been able to get to the bottom of this! The helmet markings for the troopers look authentic, because the 'club' suit insignia in the 101st is the insignia for the 327th GIR, and the tick marks at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions represent the HQ, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions respectively. So the 9 o'clock tick mark on the helmets in the movie are correct for 3/327th or 1/401st GIR. As far as locations are concerned, the 3/327th (1/401st) were in the Bastogne western panhandle area of the perimeter that got pinched off when the field hospital company was captured by the German forces by-passing the town, but the railway line entered the perimeter from the southwest through the 1/327th sector, so there's some conflation or compression of the geography in the movie here. The only other note I have was about the German propaganda delivered by aircraft or artillery shells, as John noted. I'm currently studying the Wehrmachbefehlshaber Niederlande (German Armed Forces Netherlands) organisation, which is equivalent to an Army headquarters (as opposed to an Army Group or Army Corps HQ), but has a slightly unique structure because it incorporated Luftwaffe and Marine staff offciers. In any case, the 'Führungs Abteilung' (staff division) in most higher HQs usually have just two sections, the 'Ia' (1st staff officer for Operations) and the 'Ic' (1st staff officer for Intelligence) sections, corresponding to the G-3 and G-2 staff positions in the American system. The 'Ic' seems to have an assistant officer who in the WBN was the 'Ic/W Pro', which seems to be a counter-intelligence/Wehrmacht [military] Pro[paganda] officer, so he's presumably the guy producing the nonsensical leaflets to be dropped on the Allied troops. My all-time favourite counter-intel has to be from the First Gulf War in 1991, when Iraqi Ministry of Information tried to convince American troops, gathering in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield, that their wives and girlfriends left behind in the USA were now being romanced by Hollywood stars like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Bart Simpson!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks, as always, Dave!

[@SierraThunder]

They knocked down a wall dividing two of their largest soundstages for this film, all of those trees that you see are real living trees as well. And at 20:20, when he talks of "fake snow" on the soundstage, it wasn't fake, the whole soundstage was literally refrigerated, with ice machines up in the roof area, and ice being ground up for the snow, not only the falling snow, but the snow on the ground, as Wellman wanted as much realism as he could get. So, when you hear that sound of boots squelching in the snow as they walked, it WAS real. The same went for the fog.

[@brucemamont2289]

I've always wondered how many viewers understood and appreciated the scene in which the squad member (Pop?) collected a wad of leaflets and walked off into the woods.

[@bobleicht5295]

I laughed out loud the first time I saw that scene; any GI who’s been in the field for an extended period will get it.

[@ansonjohn2896]

classic...

[@elijones2041]

yeeees! I've been anticipating this video ever since you guys talked about it last year! huge fan of this movie and its so often over looked. I actually watched this two days ago and I gotta say that the Three man patrol is my favorite part of the movie. The the M1 Garand's usage and handling is awesome, it just sounds so amazing and people are using the safety and actually RELOADING! I also love all those subtle and not so subtle details. like the men on their ay to the shower, the card suit on the helmets being accurate and the slight change on the Major's helmet shows he's is from HQ. the men slowly go from clean shaven to bearded and grimy. and many other things just Make this movie one of the best!

[@ReelHistory]

Amen!

[@gregcanellis9263]

Battleground has always been in my opinion the most accurate film depicting the American GI in WWII. I've had the pleasure to spend time with combat veterans of my father's unit, the 8th Infantry Division. Men who have been in combat develop a strange sense of humor. They can turn a potentially dangerous situation into a comical one, especially at a buddy's expense. But, at the same time, they certainly knew there was nothing funny about the horrors of war. I got that vibe from the characters portrayed in Battleground...something absent from today's WWII movies.

[@MW-bi1pi]

Exactly correct. My Dad said the same thing. And humor helped a lot.

[@usaturnuranus]

The perfect example of gallows humor.

[@johnscherer1922]

hey jared, it's the grumpy old fart from n.h. again. this was, and still is a great movie. i have it in a two disc set, along with battle cry, another james whitmore movie. it always amazed me in this movie, how supplies, reinforcements, and stuff couldn't get through, but hometown papers got through in real time. all in all, a great movie. keep up the great work john

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks!

[@td6152]

Great movie, and probably one of the best about WW2. So many details about the life of soldiers. One observation about your review. The scene with the soldiers in boots and raincoats; they are not on the way to the showers. They are on their way to the medics for a "short arm inspection". Which was a GI euphemism for the medical examination of the soldiers' private parts for STDs. Which explains Scotty Beckett's reaction once he realizes where he is.

[@richardmardis2492]

I always thought that Wild Bill Wellmen being a veteran, an American fighting in the French Air Service during WW1 , made it very authentic, being that he really did, “see the elephant”.

[@ReelHistory]

Cinematic drama is best derived from real life experience, as an old saying goes.

[@lloydryan7716]

I saw this film when it first came to theaters. I'm a Marine who served from 1955-59 My memory was The Chosin Reservoir. Nothing like The Battle of the bulge except the weather. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I feel it was at the time the best portrayal of actual combat in a movie.

[@oOneenOo]

Happy? Bulge anniversary everyone! Thank you for doing a video on this quintessential Christmas movie. I've been waiting for this one.

[@ReelHistory]

Indeed, it is a Christmas movie.

[@darktater2020]

Great job, gentleman. I remember seeing this movie in my youth. And your take on it really made me appreciate it on an entirely different level.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks so much!

[@usaturnuranus]

Another great WW2 movie - and another fine performance by Marshall Thompson - is "They Were Expendable" from 1945 (four years prior to BG). Also based in large part on historical fact, it tells the story of the unique challenges that early PT boat crews faced when the Japanese attacked the Philippines at the outset of the war. I would highly recommend it to any war movie fan. A lot of drama, tragedy, and sacrifice but also a nice amount of humor at just the right moments.

[@peterp8911]

Another You Tube video by the channel Cinema Cities, "The Making of Battleground" claims that the black soldier shown in the scene with the Lutheran minister was Sgt. Sam Yager. The video claims that Yager was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and was hired as a technical advisor to teach the actors the close order drill with the accompanying "Jodey" cadence. If you noticed, the movie opens and closes with Kinney marching the platoon while the soldiers chant the "Jodey" cadence. The US Army credits the creation of the "Jodey" cadence to Pvt. Willie Lee Duckworth. It is also known as the Duckworth chant.

[@texasnutmegger3296]

I grew up in Connecticut and the actress Eileen Heckart lived down the road from us. She had a Scottie named Fala we'd play with from time to time in the neighborhood. It was a gift from James Whitmore when she played Eleanor Roosevelt.

[@ReelHistory]

Appropriately enough, there was a Scottie in the room with us as we filmed this episode!

[@matts9]

I served in 3/327th IN, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division from July 1987 to Oct 1991. I love this movie! First watched this when I was little. In 1987, we still wore the Glider Patch on our Garrison Caps. We used the Regimental Helmet insignia depicted in the movie. 327th Infantry Regiment is designated by the Club card suite. 3rd Battalion is designated by the dash to the left of the club.

[@LillianSteele-u9v]

Van Johnson was in WWII and suffered an injury before the war as stated above. Comic relief helped a lot of soldiers to survive. James Whitmore was also a fine actor as well. Nice guy as you stated. And the Sgts who were vital leaders for all enlisted NCOs like themselves, helped to win WWII. My dad was a Sgt. in this conflict.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

I didn't hear them say that the Aid Station with the staff, had been captured. The church with a few volunteers, with little to no medication, plays a huge part. I think my favorite scene is the response to the Germans offer of surrender: "NUTS". The Hurtgen Forest battle/campaign affect should have been touched on in the movie.

[@gilbertroland1953]

Battleground has been one of my favorite WWII since the first time I saw it in the 60s. One bit of interesting trivia: the third 28th Inf. soldier who utters the "strategic withdrawal" line was Dewey Martin, who served as a Navy fighter pilot in the Pacific in the war and played the Sgt. Crew Chief in the original Thing (From Outer Space).

[@grumblesa10]

Another movie worth seeing is "To Hell and Back" based on Audie Murphy's autobiography. "Murph" stars in it, as himself with his unit going through the slog of the Italian campaign. Regarding the intel failure(s) before the Ardennes Offensive. In David Niven's autobiograpy he mentions that his unit, "Phantom" who executed what would now be called Long Range Recce Patrols for 8th Army, had heard sounds of armored vehicles moving up, plus a lot of lower-echelon radio traffic. Other units reported similar instances. However, higher command complacence ("command climate" today) plus an over-reliance on Ultra intel prevented any real action being taken. Ultra didn't turn anything up because Hitler believed his comms were being decoded (yes) and insisted on orders going out via landline and telex. Operation "Greif" had some psychological impacts, if very little in the way of tangible impediments. IIRC most of the efforts were in the St. Vith area. Along with Operation "Stoesser" the last German airborne drop of the war.

[@jvleasure]

The African American is the drill sergeant that helped whip the actors into shape, if I recall correctly. There was also, incidentally, an African American outfit stuck in Bastogne. Can't remember if it was an AA outfit or a searchlight outfit, etc., but they were there. Absolutely badass that he and they were put into this film in 1949, for Pete's sake.

[@juanj.robles207]

My favorite war movie of all times, saw it every time it was on as a kid. Fast forward to 1969 joined Army Airborne, in Vietnam my first unit was the 101st Airborne, B Co 3/187th Airborne. Sometimes life is stranger than fiction.

[@rogerd777]

My dad was a WWII veteran, but served in the Corps of Engineers in Alaska. I would love to see two other of my favorite films discussed, "Twelve O'Clock High", and the coming home epic "The Best Years of Our Lives"

[@darylmorning]

Battleground pictured the 327th Glider Infantry most of whom landed on Utah Beach for Overlord instead of the gliders they trained for. They even took almost as many casualties as the parachute infantry they fought beside.

[@paultapner2769]

I had never heard of this film till I saw it mentioned in the comments section of another video back in December. So I tracked it down on you tube and watched it. And I am so glad I did.

[@ReelHistory]

Excellent!

[@majorhicksusmc]

I agree, it is a great movie! It concentrates on the individual soldiers who are depicted, not as bigger than life heroes, but ordinary men doing an extraordinary job. When they move to Bastogne it depicts the little frustrations that any combat veteran would understand, for example when they move into the line, and start to dig in, only to be told they were moving to another position. It’s also the little details, like the snow melting on the helmets and clothing that gives the movie a sense of reality.😊

[@ReelHistory]

Absolutely!

[@majorhicksusmc]

A movie you might want to look at is “When Trumpets Fade.” It takes place during the Battle for the Hurtgen Forest, just before the Battle of the Bulge.

[@ReelHistory]

Oh boy do we have something to add to that. www.brushmountainmedia.com/hurtgen.html

[@ReelHistory]

@@majorhicksusmc, it is on our list!

[@reddeserted13]

James Arness, who was wounded at Anzio.

[@lukegong2890]

We grew up in NYC and wanted to go camping. My grandfather who served in ETO as a tank mechanic, asked why we would leave a comfortable home to sleep on the ground. He had had enough of sleeping in tents for the rest of his life.

[@Mosey410]

On smoking my Pop was bombed twice by the Air Core during operation Cobra. The bombing was terrible. He said he felt like he was being bounced out of his body. As soon as it was over he fumbled for a smoke and was the first one sitting up smoking. He was shaking so bad he almost couldn’t light it. His buddies sat up and all joked that he’d been smoking through the bombing.

[@stephensmith5982]

I want to thank you for this program. You mentioned three of my favorite things about World War II, Willie&Joe from the Bill Mauldin cartoons in his book Up Front. This movie "Battleground" and the movie "The Best Years of Our Lives".

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@m.m.clarke2549]

My father, Philip Clarke (1922 - 2014) was in the 12th Armored Division, and during the Battle of the Bulge was close to Strasbourg, France - near the Rhine. I believe, right around this time, the 12th Armored was assigned to the 3rd Army under Patton, and some of the 3rd Army went north to help break through the German encirclement of Bastogne. I believe my dad did not take part in that maneuver, but it was covered a bit in one of my favorite movies Patton, with George C. Scott.

[@Joe-pu3qi]

Some of the guys weren't actors but REAL LIFE SURVIVORS OF BATTLE OF BULGE

[@Sthemingway]

You were on TCM! That is sooo cool.

[@ReelHistory]

It was pretty cool!

[@garandguy101]

Outstanding episode!! My dad and I favorite WWII movie! Can’t wait for the next episode.

[@domdalbello1607]

And a great Christmas movie. :)

[@ReelHistory]

Merry Christmas..... That's for DANG sure!

[@gravitypronepart2201]

@@ReelHistory 😂

[@ericb2501]

Great catch about the anachronistic bayonet lugs on the M-1 Carbines used in the film. Saving Pvt Ryan, Band of Brothers, The Pacific got them right. 👏 👏 👏

[@ElmoUnk1953]

I LOVE the expressions of amusement on the faces of the GI’s when the Germans are so frustrated. 🤣😂😁

[@jimaltergott9326]

Thank you for this video! " Battleground" is one my personal favorite war films for all the reasons you stated while viewing the movie. I am 59 years old and the film always takes me back to my childhood when I see it. Question: have you or will you view the 1952 film "Stalag 17"? Another of my all-time favorites! Thanks again for this great channel, I love it! 👍👍

[@ReelHistory]

We are very familiar with it. Perhaps someday!

[@levierickson7321]

10 year Marine infantryman here WWII reenactor as well This is my favorite as well

[@audiosurfarchive]

One of the best History, Sub-Category Film & TV channel in the biz! Hope to see more and more of this. Bet y'all are excited for Masters Of The Air!

[@ReelHistory]

We hope to do an episode-by-episode breakdown of "Masters of the Air."

[@jerrysanchez4984]

One of my favorite films. As you mentioned, the ambiance of the film is what first caught my attention.

[@aidanwalsh8049]

Finally Battlegrounds getting the love it deserves! As a reenactor I love this movie!

[@mysgvus1]

Thank you for reviewing this movie! it's one of my favorite WW2 movies along with Stalag 17!

[@ReelHistory]

1945-1953 was the golden age of WWII films.

[@jacksonj3082]

I believe there is a scene where Holley finds Layton with Denise - referring to Layton growing up into a man. This rings so true for the millions who were drafted, many as teenagers, like my dad who went to the Pacific and quickly grew into man.

[@viewergreg]

Last weekend, as part of the National Regiment, I had the pleasure of walking with Mr. Heiser on a tour of the wheatfield at Gettysburg. A gentleman and a scholar!

[@ReelHistory]

Jared was visiting with him that weekend!

[@keeftaylor834]

Thank you!!! I love this movie, definitely my favorite WWII movie. I think the greatest parts of the movie isn't the action scenes, which are limited, it's the interactions and comradeship that makes this such an enjoyable and great film. You covered one of my favorite scenes, James Whitmore excitedly exclaiming "It's shinning!," but you missed my two more subtle favorite scenes. One is when the squad is attempting to interrogate the Germans, and "Layton" says "Tell him to take a flying leap at a rolling donut." Probably the most civil and PC way one could re-phrase "Go F--- Yourself" in a 1949 movie. I find myself using this line constantly. My favorite though, is the 2nd German propaganda leaflet distribution scene. Sgt Kinney spits his chew on one after it's read out loud while others ball them up and throw them away discarding them. But "Pops" gathers several together, and walks off scene to a more secluded and private part of the field to find an appropriate use of paper. I like to think that when this was played...somewhere...in some movie theater...a US WWII combat vet that was dragged into watching this movie...burst out laughing at this subtle scene and everyone within earshot of his laughter looked towards him in confusion...and he had the satisfaction of being the only person in the theater that got the secret joke: he found something suitable to wipe oneself with.

[@bobleicht5295]

I got the bit about the propaganda leaflets being policed up by ‘Pops’ immediately, and laughed out loud. Any GI who’s been in the field or down range long enough knows the deal. Very, very clever piece about a soldier’s reality.

[@nickmitsialis]

@@bobleicht5295 and don't forget in 1949, nearly every male above puberty was in the service in some capacity==I think EVERYBODY got it, even in 1949

[@bgdavenport]

I just bought Fierce Valor at the Show of Shows in Louisville this past weekend!

[@garyarmitage9359]

My Dad was in the Bulge and he would never talk about it except about the brutal cold. Really enjoyed your video!

[@etherealtb6021]

Same with my friend's grandpa! Until she was watching a Battle of the Bulge doc with him on the History Channel with her and he just opened up. Her mom was stunned!

[@ClancyWoodard-yw6tg]

This is one of the best movies made on this battle and I like how they also mentioned the aid station incident where the SS overran one of the 101st airborne divisions aid stations

[@jannarkiewicz633]

I aw "Twilight Zone" episode and thought, "It's Brooks!." Great episode.

[@etherealtb6021]

Thanks for breaking down what makes this movie so effective!

[@ReelHistory]

You bet!

[@1dirkmanchest]

Letter from Brooks, "I'm in a small town. Not much to do so I just hang around."

[@stevetheduck1425]

Immediately after the war, a number of very realistic war films were made: my own favourite is 'A Walk in the Sun', but 'Battleground' comes close. Your vid opening with that hysterical (in both meanings) cry of 'hey! It's shinin'!' a moment that still gets me every time. The Battle of the Bulge happened in the European winter, which meant long, dark days and freezing cold. Dawn (maybe) at 10 am, sunset (if even noticed) as early as 4 pm. The 'old actors playing young men problem' is in full effect, something that still won't go away, but the times, conditions and some history leavened with well-known myth tells how it was for the people who survived. It's a shame that to make money the realistic war film became impossible. Who wanted the new generation to learn something important about war? Nobody who didn't fight, and they are the rulers. Compare this with the later WWII movie trope of the new officer who gets his command killed pointlessly, but it doesn't matter, because he's getting his 100 days in before going up to meet his daddy in the Pentagon.

[@FreGZile]

i'm just discovering this movie now, its sadly very underated in term of popularity compared to war blockbusters of the 60s and 70s. great movie.

[@juanvargaschavarria8772]

My compatriot from Costa Rica 🇨🇷 🎖Carlos Bronn Aguilar 101 Airborne in Bastogne. Purple Heart.

[@johnheigis83]

Wool (100%) keeps you warm, especially in wet and cold, and it airs out well. Cotton absorbs moisture and cold; but works well as underwear. ( I speak from experience, as a former timber Sawyer, in NW States, in all types of weather. Also, I highly recommend using a wool blanket, on those frozen nights; or, like, when camping - under, and over, for feeling down right cozy, etc.)

[@doncheney4647]

I strongly agree that this is the best WW2 movie of its time and for decades after. My father was a Sergeant in the same unit as the writer (35th Infantry Division) that took part in relieving the 101st under Gen. Patton. He had the same opinion that this was far more realistic than anything else Hollywood had put out about life as a GI during the war. Part of the reason that replacements had a hard time being accepted is that those who had already suffered the pain of losing buddies were reluctant to make new attachments. As a veteran myself, this movie stands out as among the most outstanding depiction of life for soldiers on the battlefield, whether in the 1940s or today (just look at some of the news footage coming out of Ukraine).

[@coleparker]

One of my favorite War films. Facts, that James Whitmore had been a Marine in WWII, James Arness had been in the Italian Campaign as an infantryman and was wounded. Richard Jackel served in the Merchant Marine.

[@jgreen2592]

My top WWII movie is "To Hell and Back" staring Audie L. Murphy. Sadly the Murphy movie lacked the authenticity of "Battleground". "The Way We Were" is also powerful and it taught me it was against regulations to be in the nose of a B-17 bomber during takeoffs and landings. I love the small details included in realist war movies. I'm most bothered when the brass is worn incorrectly on the uniform. 2/327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), 1971.

[@andrewfischer8564]

i watched it yesterday. ive seen it a hundred times. every time i see the end and the jodies it reminds me of the first time I saw in 1974

[@morganfreeaimthebountyhunt7682]

17:15 amazing cinematography

[@soldat459]

It's in my top five for sure

[@TennesseeHomesteadUSA]

"The Halls of Montezuma" must certainly run a close second...

[@jvleasure]

Watched a "making of" a couple weeks back, and I want to say that I heard that the whole set was heavily cooled to be accurately cold....

[@xray86delta]

The Robert Shaw, Henry Fonda "Battle of the Bulge" was beautifully shot in Technicolor, but that is its most enduring feature. If you want to know what happened in the Battle of the Bulge for real, watch "Battleground". I must add, the attack scene of the opening assault in the 'color' version is great! "And you wanted to see Germans!" 😉😸

[@kenstill-vx4vi]

Airborne divisions had 3 regiments of paratroopers, and 1 glider regiment... the 101st had the 501st, 502nd, and 506th, and the 327th , and the 82nd had the 504th, 505th, 508th, and the 325th glider

[@andrewfischer8564]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie. i probably saw for the first time in 74 so the jodies at the end always remind me of sat afternoon war movies on tv

[@alan15768]

Another great James Whitmore film “Black Like Me”. From 1964.

[@galloian]

Now I am going to have to rent and watch "Battleground" this weekend.

[@ReelHistory]

You will not be disappointed!

[@jackmessick2869]

My Scoutmaster was a Vietnam veteran, and he had rice and canned peaches so much in the war that he never ate them afterwards.

[@blockmasterscott]

Kelly’s Heroes is mine. Ever since seeing that movie I still think a hero is some kind of sandwich. And Carol O’Connor. “Get me my unifoooorm!” 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@panzerlehr2730]

I heard the background noises of shot and shell were genuine.

[@drno4837]

The canned meat that was issued to American soldiers was often not actually SPAM but a cheap replacement, so often the soldiers thought the crap they were eating was spam and hence the distaste.

[@Otokichi786]

Yep, when I want to watch a movie about The Battle of the Bulge, I choose "Battleground" (1949), also.

[@Panavision70]

I saw it last week and it is indeed an excellent movie.

[@pdmv8471]

One of my favorites as well!

[@longrider42]

I love this movie, I have a copy on DVD. It was all about trying to get some coffee :)

[@henrychin4290]

Great video! I would love you to review two of my favorite WWII movies; Tora, Tora, Tora and the original Midway!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks! We'll get to those soon enough

[@lindsayjohnston7465]

I recently viewed this movie it is available free on KZbin I remember seeing when I was younger but wasn't able to appreciate it until now