Rating: 
Summary: Enough with the hand-held camera stuff already!
Review: Am I the only person getting tired of recent war movies like this one which are shot in the "Saving Private Ryan" style? The hand-held camera technique for intense combat scenes worked in SPR, but now it's getting predictable and just plain annoying. This made-for-TV movie reeks of low production values. It looks like a bunch of WWI reenactors went out in the woods one day with a videocam to make a war movie, but instead ended re-making "The Blair Witch Project."
Rating: 
Summary: New Great War Classic
Review: This excellent film features a famous but little known incident today from the First World War. The Lost Battalion of the 308th Infantry rightfully deserves its place in Great War heroics of the US army as does Sarjeant York and others. This A@E movie tells the story with a degree of accuracy and has none of the over-the-top antics that many big budget Hollywood films today seem to be plagued with. A@E productions provide a refreshing perspective to American movie making and show that this country can still produce decent cinema. Its good to see the First World War portrayed for a change. American viewers have gott'en their fill with World War Two, Vietnam etc., but little has been done recently on the Great War.Here we have a conflict every bit as tragic in its own right because of the massive loss of human life through use of futile tactics on the battlefield. We have Germans that are not Nazi's for a change which is also refreshing. While this film over-does a bit of the ethnic tensions within the 308th Infantry, and some of the acting at times seems a bit too contemporary, what we have still is a pretty accurate recreation of events. The standard German vs. American elements are there, with the Germans learning to respect the yanks and such, but what is important to remember here is that by late 1918 the German army was a shadow of its former self. Exhausted from its earlier offensives that year, the US army does not contend with a first-rate Imperial army. Had the Lost Battalion incident occured six months earlier it is doubtful that this little band of American heros could have survived for very long against overwhelming Stosstroopen tactics. Still, the combat scenes are vivd and well done, and the acting is not bad overall. This movie should become part of the relatively small number of good World War One films out there. Deffinitely worth adding to one's collection.
Rating:
Summary: Uncommon valor!
Review: I had never heard of this story of valor in WWI until I accidently came across this flick. Based on a true story, this film is one of the most inspiring war films I have ever seen. Major Charles White Whittlesey (played wonderfully by Rick Schroder), was a pacifist who felt obligated to serve his country. Magor Whittlesey led the only unit that made it's objective on October 2, 1918, and that is why they were trapped. After the battle, Major Whittlesey was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation reads as follows: "Although cut off for 5 days from the remainder of his division, Maj. Whittlesey maintained his position, which he had reached under orders received for an advance, and held his command, consisting originally of 46 officers and men of the 308th Infantry and of Company K of the 307th Infantry, together in the face of superior numbers of the enemy during the 5 days. Maj. Whittlesey and his command were thus cut off, and no rations or other supplies reached him, in spite of determined efforts which were made by his division. On the 4th day Maj. Whittlesey received from the enemy a written proposition to surrender, which he treated with contempt, although he was at the time out of rations and had suffered a loss of about 50 percent in killed and wounded of his command and was surrounded by the enemy." Two others received Medal of Honors and many of the heroes received Distinguished Service Crosses along with many other awards. If you want to be inspired, watch this film!
Rating:
Summary: Simply amazing world war 1 epic
Review: Being a HUGE fan of the first world war,I am constantly seeking out movies old and new pertaining to this event."THE LOST BATTALLION" is nothing short of wonderful.Being a made for TV movie,I was skeptical as to just how vivid the battle sequences would be.Needless to say it never disappointed.Brilliant acting,intense fighting sequences,strong introductions to the characters and (as far as I can tell)an accurate showing of this historic event make this movie a CLASSIC.
Rating:
Summary: THIS was a TV movie?
Review: I was watching this again on A&E and forgot I was still watching a made-for-cable-TV movie. I don't know what the budget for this baby was but the battle scenes were some of the best I've ever seen. I can't believe little Ricky Schroeder was kicking so much ....
Rating:
Summary: gritty realism
Review: with most war movies..shot in color, this movie
showing the heroism in the thick of battle is a good
color movie about ww 1 events, and the cast of characters
chosen to fight.
ricky schoder was excellect cast as the commanding major.
Rating:
Summary: A Must See For American War History Buffs!
Review: I will keep this short, but I must add that what all the other reviewers have said here is true. This is an amazing film made by A&E and broadcast on the A&E network. I am sure the DVD version is much more impressive, but the televised version was a first rate portrail of the "Lost Platoon" and the realities of Trench Warfare in WWI. Rick Schoeder was at first a difficult to imagine officer in command of a battalion of men, but he grew up before my eyes, as many young officers were forced to do in the real war. It is an outstanding film and not a Holliwoodized version of history. The Battle of Belleau Wood that all of our great grandfathers would not speak about, is in this film for you to see. It is where France found a new respect for the American fighting man, it is where the world gained a heads up that the U.S. Army was more than just an "expeditionary force". This is real history, this is our blood our country, our pride. It is one of many battles that our country has built its freedom upon, defending freedom, defending democracy, and standing up with our allies for what is right. These are never easy matters to stand for, but yet it is what the fabric of our country was woven with. If you know anyone who wonders why we are in Afganistan, or possibly Iraq, show them this movie, and ask them how much more difficult world politics must have been to understand in 1917?
Rating:
Summary: The Lost Battalion
Review: ABSOLUTELY one of the Best war movies Ive ever seen! (and that includes, Ryan,Platoon,Band of Brothers)
Rick Schroder's Performance gets my vote for the BEST portrayal of ANY War role in recent history (and that includes Tom Hanks in Ryan) The emotion and despair in Rick Schroder's eyes and facial expressions is so convincing that it becomes hauntingly scarey!
His genuine compassion and human interaction with the men in his battalion are not often(if ever) shown in most hollywood movies.
The Battle scences and authentic WWI equipment and weapons were outstanding as well. Another unique aspect to this movie is the
realistic portral of the German soilders as young men with the same fears as that of the US soilders they were fighting.
This movie stuck in my head for days after viewing it, in most part due to the performance by Rick Schroder, I can't say enough about it. I think it far out pace's ANY other Ive seen and I think he should have won an OSCAR or something for the role!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best WWI movies...
Review: This is one of the best movies made about World War I that I have ever seen. Even though relatively few films have been made about this war, this one is easily the best. The film portrays a famous incident when an American battalion was cut off behind German lines and surrounded. Acted well and beautifully presented, this DVD has the benefit of a wonderful A&E documentary as part of the special features. If you enjoy war-films or historical-based movies, get a copy of this film!
Rating: 
Summary: Not a Loss at All
Review: The Lost Battalion depicts more of how the chain of command flows in the army. Different soldiers have their different viewpoints, from front-line newbies to their General himself. Unlike the other war movies (i.e. All Quiet on the Western Front, Gallipoli), this movies shows not only the futility of trench battle, but more of their mission: spearhead through the German lines. The battalion fights through what is behind the enemy lines, with skirmishes in the forest. One can actually feel the pain and anguish the soldiers have to go through. The battle sequences, where the Germans retaliate with multiple counterattacks, are quite intense and realistic, almost comparable to the beginning of Saving Private Ryan, but not quite. Even with all positive attributes of this movie, I have to add that there are some points to consider. As like many of World War I movies, the trenches seem to be a little too "clean and tidy." But this movie has nothing to do with trench battles so that can be easily looked ever. With over 400 men charging into the forest, no more than fifty soldiers can be seen throughout the entire movie. Although they may be spread out throughtout the forest, I would not believe that an entire batallion until later shown in the end. As I have stated previously, the battle sequences make you feel as if you're a part of it, but after the two counter attacks by the Germans, it kind of makes the viewer feel desensitized. The fights in the Argonne Forest are all pretty similar, so by the time the third battle is fought, you tell yourself, "This better be the last one." Surprise... it's not. In other words, it... drags... on..." Other than these minute differences, The Lost Battalion is very unlike classic World War One movies, probably because this movie actually has a point and without senseless running to enemy trench... run back to own trench... repeat process until we all die. This movie is worth watching more than one time. I have watched it five times and each time brings the same excitement and anticipation as the first time. If you like Saving Private Ryan, it'll definetly have a similar impact. Thank Cher Ami.
|
