Battle of the Bulge

If the name of an event is used in a movie, then it should be as factual as possible. Where is the snow and the armies wearing the proper uniform. How come fictional characters and events were used. I thew my copy in the trash where it belongs. I is not based on a true story as it says it is. It should be lnamed "Battle of the Bulge, a fictional story"

After seeing this movie on cable for a number of years, it is good to finally have my own copy on DVD. I have many military movies and this one fits in well with the others.

The movie has been panned due its historical inaccuracies, but while the film doesn't capture the 'factual' battle it certainly captures the 'spirit' of the battle. My chief complaint is while I think Robert Shaw an excellent actor, they erred by not using a German actor for the Panzer Leader's part, all the other men were German other than Shaw, and he makes mention of this in the black and white interviews. In fact as he mentions, he had to tone his performance down, as he was over doing the Prussian part.

One outstanding and notable feature of this production was the number of German Tiger and American Sherman tanks used, at the time of filming an unusual number seemed to still be available. And as shown in the special features, the uniforms and equipment passed rigid inspection for historical accuracy. The script, however, was not quite so historical, but the movie is packed with entertainment none-the-less.

For anyone wanting to view a stunning, exciting World War II movie as they once made them, this is certainly one to see. Though it was originally filmed in Cinerama in 1965 it has transferred very well and due to Cinerama may have a better clarity. With so many movie stars dead and gone, and with them the studio system, a film such as this will never come our way again. But thanks to DVDs it will be with for a long time.

Semper Fi.

When it comes to the film "The Battle of the Bulge", I feel one should seperate the generally epic and enjoyable film from its horrendous telling of history.
On the positive side, "The Battle of the Bulge" is a truely epic war film complete with a very suitable musical score and some talented actors. Robert Shaw gives a very memorable performance as a German tank officer who enjoys battle while Hans Christian Blech does a fine job as his older, combat weary aide. The actors portraying the Americans (Fonda, Bronson, Ryan, etc.) do a generally good job though overall Shaw and Blech steal the show. While lacking the realistic gore of "Saving Private Ryan", this film does have some impressive battle scenes. The massive tank battle near the conclusion is overall a superb example of filmaking. While some models were employed in shots of tanks exploding, a lot of the action was filmed with an impressive number of actual tanks. There is also a memorable scene of a German tank brigade advancing through a snowy forest just before the first battle scene. Also, this DVD has some scenes that had been cut from a video version I had previously had and also has contemporary interviews (including Shaw), a theatrical trailer, as well as a featurette.
While the movie is fun to watch, its depiction of history is particullary bad. As there were very few Tiger II tanks left and M-4 Shermans may have been hard to find, I see little problem with the film using M-47 Pattons and M-24 Chaffees respectively in their place. In fact, some M-24 tanks saw service in Europe before the war ended. That said, it was laughable to see one of the people interviewed say that they were using the tanks which actually fought in the battle (he should have known better though a very few M-24s may have been in the Ardennes fighting). Also, tiger tanks (whether I or II) never formed brigades. Battalions were the largest formations they comprised (the 501st was the unit that supported Piper's spearhead's breakout on December 17th). Also, most German tanks in the Ardennes were either Panzer Mark IV tanks or Panzer V Panthers and not Panzer Mark VI Tigers. Also, why don't the allies have air support in the final tank battle since the skies are plainly clear (the terrain in the scene is incorrect as well though I can see why the filmakers would want to film a tank battle on open country)? To create suspense, the film makes it appear the Germans had a chance at possible victory. In truth, their plan was almost surely doomed though they could have inflicted more allied casualties if some events had been changed around.
Anyway, if you like epic war movies, I recommend this one. Just don't expect it to be historically accurate. For those interested in a popular level discussion of the battle, I would recommend the original Osprey Campaign Series book on the Ardennes and a later book in the same series dealing with the Northern Front of the battle (I haven't read the book dealing with the southern Ardennes).

This is supposed to be an epic war movie. And it is. It is a great vehicle for many of the popular actors of the time which includes some immortals. This is not intended to be a documentary. The over all intent of this presentation other than entertainment is to show that war has a lasting effect on those people that live through it.

The story is of course the title "Battle of the Bulge" only instead of concentrating on Bastogne we are treated to the formula which on the U.S. side Lt. Col. Daniel Kiley (Henry Fonda) figures out them sneaky Germans is going to attack through the forest and of course Col. Pritchard (Dana Andrews) wants to have Lt. Col. Kiley committed. On the German side Col. Martin Hessler (Robert Shaw) just wants to have fun playing tank and wants the war to go on for ever; however his sidekick Cpl. Conrad (Hans Christian Blech) has this thing about preserving his offspring from joining the fun of an endless war.

Can Gen. Grey (Robert Ryan) find a mistake the Germans have made and turn this around or will the German juggernaut just keep coming on. No fair looking at this movie from hindsight.

I have watched this movie on and off for several decades and even though the Blu-ray version does not add any new words or scenes to the movie it does add a sort of 3D effect that adds to ones viewing pleasure. As an added bonus Director Ken Annakin and Actor James McArthur (who plays Lt. Weaver in the movie) are still alive and adds a voice over commentary


The Longest Day [Blu-ray]

This is an action packed movie which holds one's interest from start to finish. It is historically correct in most every aspect. Every actor gives a surpurb performance, and the special effects are outstanding. It is a "must see" both for anyone who lived during this phase of World War II and the younger generation who have been taught so very little about the hardships and triumphs of brave servicemen during this conflict. I suggest The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition), the story of the D-Day Invasion as a companion to the movie reviewed.