Cast
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Van Johnson
as Holley
John Hodiak
as Jarvess
Ricardo Montalban
as Roderigues
George Murphy
as 'Pop' Stazak
Marshall Thompson
as Jim Layton
Jerome Courtland
as Abner Spudler
Don Taylor
as Standiferd
Bruce Cowling
as Wolowicz
James Whitmore
as Kinnie
Douglas Fowley
as 'Kipp' Kippton
Leon Ames
as The Chaplain
Herbert Anderson
as Hansan
Thomas E. Breen
as Doc
Denise Darcel
as Denise
Richard Jaeckel
as Bettis
Crew
Director
- William A. Wellman
Producer
- Dore Schary
- Robert Pirosh
Reviews
John Chard
The Battered Bastards Of Bastogne.
Dedicated to the battered bastards of Bastogne, this major player in the war film genre is directed by William Wellman & tells the story of a U.S. Army division involved in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. The terrific cast features George Murphy, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, Van Johnson and James Whitmore. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards and won two - one for Robert Pirosh's bold and fluctuating screenplay and one for Paul Vogel's realism inducing black-and-white cinematography.
Battleground is an important war film in many ways. Coming as it did at the tail end of the 40s, it was not required to be a flag waving morale booster for a country at war. Free of this burden, Wellman & Pirosh (an actual veteran of the Bastogne engagement), crafted a grunts eye view of the war. Forcing us the viewers to spend the whole of the movie with one army squad (the 101st Airborne Division), we get to know them, their fears & peccadilloes etc. Pirosh cleverly telling it as it was, scared men doing their duty. It's that we have been with them as their persona's have been laid bare, that makes the battle sequences even more potent. The jokes have stopped, the camaraderie and harmless rivalries replaced by men crying for their mothers or in some mud hole fighting for their lives. This snow covered and fog shrouded part of Belgium a bleak canvas for the harshness of war (amazingly shot on the lot). It's a stunningly structured film, one that doesn't resort to type, it subverts the many war film plot developments that are rife in genre pieces that both preceded and came post its release.
The cast are uniformly strong, and all get get ample time to impact on the narrative. Something that isn't always the case with ensemble pieces. Somebody else was strong too, Producer Dore Schary, who had to fight an unconvinced Louis B. Mayer (MGM head man) to get the film made. Schary's faith in the piece was rewarded as the film became a critical darling and a box office winner. It's not hard to see why for this is a realistic and gritty look at the hardships of war and those that fought in it. Influencing many that followed it by entertaining without gusto histrionics, Battleground is still very much a template war film. 8.5/10
Jun 4, 2019
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Battleground examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director William A. Wellman brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1949, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Battleground took approximately 31 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 118 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 174 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 819 individual shots.
- The musical score contains over 65 unique compositions.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1949, when this film was released:
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Battleground shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Liberation: Battle for Berlin, which focuses more on action than character development, Battleground offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Liberation: The Last Assault and White Bird explore similar territory, Battleground stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 9, 1949
- Runtime: 1h 58m
