The Lost Battalion (2001) (TV)

Director:

Russell Mulcahy

Writer (WGA):

James Carabatsos (written by)

Release Date:

2 December 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

Caught between two lines of fire, the Germans gave them two options: surrender or die. They chose a third.

Plot:

Fact-based war drama about an American battalion of over 500 men which gets trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest in October 1918 France during the closing weeks of World War I.

Plot Keywords:

France | Argonne | Army | Homing Pigeon | Remake

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Rick Schroder	...	Maj. Charles White Whittlesey
Phil McKee	...	Capt. George McMurtry
Jamie Harris	...	Sgt. Gaedeke
Jay Rodan	...	Lt. Leak
Adam James	...	Capt. Nelson Holderman, Co. K 307 th
Daniel Caltagirone	...	Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia
Michael Goldstrom	...	Pvt. Jacob Rosen
André Vippolis	...	Pvt. Lipasti
Rhys Miles Thomas	...	Pvt. Bob Yoder (sharpshooter)
Arthur Kremer	...	Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky (runner)
Adam Kotz	...	Col. Johnson
Justin Scot	...	Pvt. Omer Richards (carrier pigeons)
Anthony Azizi	...	Pvt. Nat Henchman
George Calil	...	Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead
Wolf Kahler	...	Gen. von Sybel

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA | Luxembourg

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R13

Filming Locations:

Luxembourg

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

The name "Mulcahy" is carved above the Major's office in the trench. The director of the film was Russell Mulcahy.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Sgt. Gaedeke's sleeve insignia are of WWII vintage, not WWI. WWI sergeant stripes were made of khaki or olive drab colored cloth. The stripes in the film are embroidered navy blue on olive drab.

Quotes:

Lt. Leak: Morning Sir.
Maj. Whittlesey: We don't salut up here Lieutenant.
Lt. Leak: I'm sorry Sir.
Maj. Whittlesey: My officers of men shave everyday.
Lt. Leak: Oh, I'm sorry Sir.
Maj. Whittlesey: You're sorry about a lot of things.
Lt. Leak: Well, we got up here kinda late yesterday and...
Maj. Whittlesey: Is that and excuse or an explanation? I'm not interested in either on. I want you and your platoon squared away, make sure your men have full rations, plenty of ammo. And wear that uniform properly. Put on dry socks if you have them and straighten your helmet. Oh and Lt. Leak, welcome to the 308th.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Cinemania: I anodos kai i ptosi tou Nazismou" (2008)

A good one!

Rick Schroeder stars in this made for A&E true story of an American battalion during WW1. In particular, it tells the true about a battle that resulted in the awarding of 3 Medals of Honor. This film contains a lot of battle scenes and they are quite bloody. It's the story, told from pretty much only the American and German sides, of a battle in the ending weeks of the war. The killing continues unabated, and there is plenty of blood and action to suit even the most action craving viewer. The Americans have penetrated deeply into German held territory and threaten the entire German front from behind. Naturally, the Germans want the Americans out of their area and put forth a maximum effort to dislodge them. But the Americans plan to stay and the resulting battle over the next 3 days or so is graphically depicted. There's not a woman in the film at all; the entire film takes place on the battlefield. Yet, even without romantic interludes, there are very few minutes in the film without some sort of action. The entire cast did a great job. All in all, a very enjoyable and well-made film!