The Breaking Point 

Easy Company remains in the Ardennes Forest preparing for an inevitable attack on German forces in the town of Foy. However, morale is low due to cold weather, constant shelling, poor leadership, and numerous casualties.

Director:

David Frankel

Writers:

Stephen Ambrose (based on the book by) (as Stephen E. Ambrose), Graham Yost

Stars:

Nicholas Aaron, Kirk Acevedo, Doug Allen

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Nicholas Aaron	...	Robert E. (Popeye) Wynn
Kirk Acevedo	...	Joseph D. Toye
Doug Allen	...	Alton M. More
Jamie Bamber	...	Jack E. Foley
George Calil	...	James H. (Mo) Alley Jr.
David Crow	...	Corporal
Michael Cudlitz	...	Denver (Bull) Randleman
Dale Dye	...	Col. Robert F. Sink
Michael Fassbender	...	Burton P. (Pat) Christenson
Dexter Fletcher	...	John W. Martin
Jordan Frieda	...	Replacement
Rick Gomez	...	George Luz
Scott Grimes	...	Donald G. Malarkey
Frank John Hughes	...	William J. Guarnere
Craig Heaney	...	Roy W. Cobb

Storyline

Easy Company is still in the Ardennes forest but the Germans are in retreat. The men are cold and living in foxholes knowing that they will likely be ordered to try and take the town. The Germans have been pushed back to the town of Foy but they are well positioned and have heavy artillery. Their artillery barrages take a heavy toll and several of the veterans of Easy Company are severely wounded including Bill Guarnere and Joe Toye. Those injuries have a particularly heavy impact on their good friend, Lt. Buck Compton. When the attack does come, Easy Company is led by the ineffectual Lt. Dike who makes several tactical errors leading to unnecessary casualties. Capt. Winters, who is observing the battle would like nothing better than to rush into battle to lead his old Company but cannot. In the end, he orders Lt. Speirs to take command of the attack.

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Plot Keywords:

foxhole | voice over narration | choir | marksman | sniper | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

First Sergeant Lipton tells a wounded soldier to "Hang tough". As a member of New Kids on the Block, Donnie Wahlberg, who played First Sergeant Lipton, sang lead vocals on the 1989 hit song "Hangin' Tough".

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Goofs

Just before Hoobler shoots the German officer, the soldier next to him holds a M1 Garand rifle. In the next shot, he holds a M1 carbine, and finally when the German officer drops, he holds a M1 Garand again.

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Quotes

[Winters finds Lipton waiting for him outside the C.P., smoking a cigarette]
Richard D. Winters: Lip. Didn't figure you for a smoking man.
C. Carwood Lipton: Neither did I.
[Winters hands a dispatch to a waiting runner]
Richard D. Winters: D Company, Lieutenant Speirs. Patrol order.
[to Lipton]
Richard D. Winters: So?
C. Carwood Lipton: We've been watching Foy all day, sir. Not much activity.
Richard D. Winters: Want a coffee?
C. Carwood Lipton: No, thank you, sir.
[...]

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Soundtracks

Buck In Hospital
(uncredited)
Composed by Michael Kamen
Performed by The London Metropolitan Orchestra

User Reviews

This is it

This is in my opinion the best episode of tv ever created, it really does not get any better then this.

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Former British Aerospace factory, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), DreamWorks, Playtone

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1