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Battleground (1949) 7.5
A squad of the 101st Airborne Division copes with being trapped in the besieged city of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Director:William A. WellmanWriter:Robert Pirosh (story) |
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Title: Battleground (1949)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Van Johnson | ... |
Holley
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John Hodiak | ... |
Jarvess
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| Ricardo Montalban | ... |
Roderigues
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| George Murphy | ... |
'Pop' Stazak
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| Marshall Thompson | ... |
Jim Layton
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Jerome Courtland | ... |
Abner Spudler
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Don Taylor | ... |
Standiferd
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Bruce Cowling | ... |
Wolowicz
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| James Whitmore | ... |
Kinnie
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| Douglas Fowley | ... |
'Kipp' Kippton
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Leon Ames | ... |
The Chaplain
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Herbert Anderson | ... |
Hansan
(as Guy Anderson)
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Thomas E. Breen | ... |
Doc
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| Denise Darcel | ... |
Denise
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| Richard Jaeckel | ... |
Bettis
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
See more »
Storyline
We follow a band of American soldiers as they engage the Germans in a snowy, foggy winter near Bastogne in World War II. They're low on fuel, rations, and ammunition; the Germans are constantly encouraging their surrender via radio and leaflets, and most importantly, the pervasive thick fog makes movement and identification difficult and prevents their relief by Allied air support. This film focuses much more on the psychology and morale of the soldiers than on action footage and heroics. Written by Michael C. Berch <mcb@postmodern.com>
Plot Keywords:
u.s. army | battle of the bulge | uniform | digging a foxhole | paratrooper |Taglines:
The First Great Picture Of The Second World War ! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
20 January 1950 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Bastogne See more »Filming Locations:
Fort Lewis, Washington, USACompany Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Pvt. Hanson: 11:30.
Pvt. Garby: What? It can't be that late. We left at two o'clock.
Pvt. Hanson: 11:30 AM, Garby. Central Standard Time. Pretty near lunchtime in Springfield.
Pvt. Garby: You mean you never changed your watch?
Pvt. Hanson: What's the use of changing your watch?
Pvt. Garby: What's the use? You're here, you're not in Springfield, Illinois.
Pvt. Hanson: I hear you...
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
Sung by the soldiers
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Douglas Fowley, who plays Pvt. Kippton (he of the continually lost false teeth) served in the Navy in the South Pacific in World War II and lost all his own teeth in an explosion aboard his aircraft carrier during battle. See more »Goofs
Holley hears Denise and Jarvess talking on the other side of the living room door and rushes into the corridor with a full cup of coffee. He takes one small sip and puts the now empty cup in his pocket. See more »Quotes
Pvt. Garby: What time is it, Hanson?Pvt. Hanson: 11:30.
Pvt. Garby: What? It can't be that late. We left at two o'clock.
Pvt. Hanson: 11:30 AM, Garby. Central Standard Time. Pretty near lunchtime in Springfield.
Pvt. Garby: You mean you never changed your watch?
Pvt. Hanson: What's the use of changing your watch?
Pvt. Garby: What's the use? You're here, you're not in Springfield, Illinois.
Pvt. Hanson: I hear you...
See more »
Soundtracks
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"(uncredited)
Written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
Sung by the soldiers
See more »
"Battleground" is a curious film that came out of Hollywood in 1949. WWII had been over, so the public was not wishing for more war films at the time. Yet, MGM went ahead with this project and gave it to William Wellman, a veteran director who knew his craft. The film was written by Robert Pirosh.
The movie is a curiosity also because it was shot in Culver City, yet, at times, it gives the impression of having been shot on location in the Ardennes. The casting of some of the best acting talents MGM had under contract at the time contributes to give the film another dimension, as the viewer becomes involved with these men that are trying to survive during the worst possible conditions.
In spite of some of the criticism in this forum, the film has a real feeling because it stresses the dependency among the men that are caught in the conflict. Their every day lives back home is at the center of the conversation one hears the men talk about. Wives, children, sweethearts, parents, and even popular figures of the pop culture, like Bette Grable, are the basis of communication as the men idle away waiting to be called to fight the enemy.
Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, Marshall Thompson, Don Taylor, Leon Ames, and a wonderful James Whitmore, are seen as the soldiers around Bastogne. Denise Darcel is seen as the kind French woman who befriends the soldiers.
Ultimately, "Battleground" is William Wellman's tribute to the men in uniform.