Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Film!!!
Review: This is a true story about a relatively unknown event during World War I.The film was done in the same style as Saving Private Ryan. When action was happening, the cameras were right there. Plenty of detail added to the authenticity. It is especially interesting for anyone that is familiar to the ways in which warfare was fought toward the end of WWI. Bayonets! Man, I'd hate to have been a soldier at this time.... Some of the scenes are not for the squeamish. The film holds nothing back... I have seen the film twice in the last three nights. I am still picking up information. In my opinion, the cast did an excellent job of bringing this film to life. Even from the German point of view, this must be a good film. The details in the trenches as well as the "no man's land"... The weapons used... It all makes for a good film. It is a definite must for any collector of war films.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: In late 1918 WW1 was about to come to an end. The US, now fully involved in the war, participated in an offensive alongside the french in the argonne forest. In typical first world war fassion, the modest gains of the offensive were ultimatley lost as the allied forces simply withdrew back to their trenches. however one battalion comprised mostly of New Yorkers of the US 77th division did not withdraw. Instead they advanced, held, and fought to the bitter end. This is the story of the lost battalion; the 308th. AE really got this one right. Wonderfully scripted and with lots of attention to historical detail and accuracey, this film really comes off as more than just an AE original, but something worthy of a trip to the theater had it been there. The movie opens with new recruits coming in before the offensive. The fresh troops are indoctrinated quickly into the frightening world of trench warfare. Rick Shroder does an amazing Job as the Major in command of the 308th. Having been a lawyer back in NYC, he has no real taste for battle, and struggles with his supperiors over the danger posed to his men by the over-ambitious objectives given to them. Once they are in the Argonne forest, and fail to retreat like thier comrads, they become unknowingly surrounded by the Germans. The commanders, amazed that the 308th is sitting right smack in the German center, decides to lie and tell them that the french are still on thier flank, and to hold at all costs. Thus begins a desperate fight for survival, as ammunition and food runs out, and as wave after wave of german counter attacks are repelled. As the bodies pile up we are given glimpes into the personalities of these brave men. Being mostly NYers, the troops are diverse, with italians, jews, polish, and others all creating an interesting dynamic. The movie shows how an interesting transference occurs as the code of the streets, or neighborhood pride than many NYC kids grow up with, lends itself heroicly to the battlefield, not allowing for honor in surrender. The presence of a southerner thrown into the battalion ads a really interesting dynamic between the characters. the acting throughout the movie is superb, and special effects are gritty and realistic, not flashy and mainstream. Lots of nice touches are added into this movie to make it a pleasure to watch and a tribute to the courage of the men. The Germans are unable to understand why this battalion has not withdrawn or surrendered as any normal unit in WW1 would do, when the captured southerner informs them with warning that they are "up against a bunch of New York City Gangsters". Finally, even the fearsome special unit of German storm troopers are repelled, and only a handfull of the 308th are left when allied forces finally link up with them once more. The loss of the argonne, puts the german line off balance, and contributes to the further advances that end the war. I enjoyed this movie quite a bit as it shows both the futility of the war, and delves into the character of those fighting it. AE didnt just make a decent war movie, but a great film that easily deserves a place alongside all the hollywood classics of the genre.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie
Review: This is easily one of the best war movies ever made. It does not go into detail on the meaning of the war, why we were in it or any other social commentary. I does however cover a very small and dramatic piece of World War I. The Lost Battalion is about a battalion that is trapped and surrounded and instead of surrendering, chooses to fight (actually there were 2 battalions although the movie concentrates on 1 of them). There is not a lot of character development and the story line sticks pretty much to the task at hand. This was much like Blackhawk Down where you are only given enough information to get you into the battle.
As far as those critics who blast this movie as hype or over the top American propaganda, think of this. In the actual battle, 5 Medals of Honor were earned. The movie only mentions 3 of them and they were the ground commanders. Two were also awarded posthumously to a pilot and his observer who helped to find the lost battalion in the thick forest. The pilot was shown briefly in the movie but is not later mentioned as a MOH winner. Name another battle where only 700 men fought for 5 days and earned 5 Medals of Honor. There is no need for hype here. The bottom line is this, if you like war movies for what they are and not for social commentary, then this is a movie for you.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best War Movies Ever
Review: Every war history fan must see this movie. I've seen most war movies since the late 60s movies but this one I will always remember. Its a keeper. An excellent story, good acting and great special effects make this a realistic and exciting movie. A good war movie has to have more than flashy special effects to get the top ratings. What seperates this movie from many others is its story line, the emotional appeal and its about World War I. There have not been too many movies in the last 20 years about this war. This movie has it all. Its a story about a courageous and well lead American battalion that breaks through the German lines during an Allied Offensive late in the war. The battalion finds itself cut off because the allies on its left and right flanks have either been halted by the Germans or have withdrawn. The battalion is surrounded but fights for its life in the dense woods of France over the course of several days. You'll just have to get the movie to find out if they survive.
Rating: 
Summary: Good made-for-TV war movie
Review: "The Lost Battalion" touches a period not often seen in the war genre, that being World War I ("The Great War"). Despite being made for the small screen, it manages to be great enough to be put alongside other superb WWI films such as "The Lighthorsemen" or "Paths of Glory." The story is true, as are the characters. The 308th, along with the 307th, battalions are trapped after a succesful attack and find themselves hard pressed by German officers, determined to wipe out the Americans in an effort to prove to the Yankees they are not undefeatable. The battalion manages to hold out even when they're own artillery bombs them and the Germans unleash flamethrowers at the defenders. 500 men went in, and less than 200 came out, but they managed to help secure a line deep in German-controlled territory. Some of the other reviewers have tried bad-mouthing this film by saying it gives too much glory to the battalion. I ask: why shouldn't it? Any time a group of men vastly outnumbered by their enemies, and with circumstances against them, manage to hold out by sheer bravery, that is a thing to be admired. There is no flag-waving in this movie, nor do they make the battalion out to be the saviours of the war, but this film does give the men their just deserve in honor. And those who think that this film copied off "Saving Private Ryan" in its style should give themselves a firm kick in the head: this movie came out long before "Ryan" was even advertised. A high quality movie. If only TV networks could come up with more movies such as this.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best war movies made
Review: Good movies about the "Great War" (as WWI was known before there was a second one) are few and far between. After "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "Paths of Glory" the list is pretty short. This film doesn't quite live up to those standards but it's still an excellent film. In broad terms, the film is fairly accurate in terms of its depiction of WWI combat. The battle scenes come as close to "Saving Private Ryan" level of realism as you can get on commercial television. Be warned that some scenes, especially the "friendly fire" artillery attack, are not for the squeamish. The supporting cast is a colorful and original collection of characters, devoid of most of the usual war movie cliches. You couldn't look at a character and say whether or not he'd be dead by the end of the movie. It was easy to imagine that these characters had been plucked off a New York street circa 1918. Rick Schroeder gives a first rate performance as the deeply conflicted Major Whittlesey, torn between doing his duty and the welfare of his men. There are a few moments where the film hits a false note. Whittlesey's car at the beginning probably wasn't built for 15 years after the Great War ended. The scene where the major receives his orders seems to ignore military protocol. And in a major continuity glitch, Whittlesey's executive office talks about the errant artillery barrage was it had happened that day, when it had happened the day before. This are just minor potholes in an otherwise first rate effort.
Rating:
Summary: Lost Battalion
Review: Incredible story that pays well-deserved tribute to the most decorated battalion in WWI which endured many losses from trench warfare and overwhelming odds by the Germans in the Argonne Forest when forward progress of the rest of the division was halted by the fierce German defense. While facing annihilation, the will and determination of the battalion put the Germans in retreat and paved the way for victory in the Great War five weeks later when the Germans finally surrendered.
Rating:
Summary: Wow...wow
Review: This is by far the very best WW1 movie I have ever seen. Until seeing this on the History channel I thought that after seeing Gallipoli there were no more good WW1 movies. ohhh was I sorely mistaken. This movie focuses on an American Battalion which advances much further and faster than the other battalions of the attack they were involved in. To those who say this is another american propaganda movie to show how awesome the US is, is completely wrong. This movie adresses an event that changed some course of the war and provides lots and lots of action, one of those things we crave. I reccomend it, Buy it ! Cheers
Rating:
Summary: American heroism in a senseless war
Review: WWI is perhaps the most senseless war in history, provoked by an otherwise insignificant anarchist slaying an insubstantial and useless blue blood. While the US government was foolish in getting involved in a European brawl, that does not detract in the slightest from the dedication and bravery shown by our lads who fought in the conflict. This movie is gritty, realistic, and relentless in its depiction of battle. I was particularly impressed by the realism of the artillery barrages. People don't just fall over during shelling; bodies are torn to bits. None of the violence was gratuitous, but sugarcoating war does nobody any good. Rick Shroder is perfect in his portrayal of the Battalion commander (who after the war committed suicide). War is Hell, and senseless war is a sin. This movie gives us reason to reflect on the wisdom of allowing foreign powers to lure us into wars when our national interests are not concerned.
Rating:
Summary: The Lost Battalion
Review: The CD is excellent but if you have a Wide Screen Definition TV
it doesn't work. It actually makes your eyes hurt.
DO NOT PURCHASE IF YOU HAVE A WIDESCREEN HD TV.
AMAZON should put if DVD is compatible to wide screen HD TV in the description. If DVD is not designated for use with Wide Screen HD TV I will not purchase.
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