Rating: 
Summary: THE BEST TWO WAR FILMS EVER MADE,...PERIOD!!
Review: After watching The Lost Battalion for the third time on the History Channel today, on the 4th of july, I just discovered that this incredible made-for-TV film is available on DVD. I ordered it and it will take its place on my shelf next to Band of Brothers.This is hands down the best WW1 film ever made. It has none of the Hollywood triteness or silly conventions that pollute virtually all other Hollywood war movies. There are very few symphony orchestras on battlefields and there are none in this one. On real battlefields men rarely scream when they are hit. They just blow apart, drop, or keep going when they are hit, although they may cry with pain afterward. Battle orders are not given with some histeric little actor's scream. They are issued coolly and matter-of-factly, just as they are in real battle. This film depicts the violence of war as it really is. The action is depicted on the slopes of the Argonne Forest in October. There are no trenches and very little rain, as winter is just setting in. The previous reviewers have described well the plot and political implications of the film, so there's not much left to say. I would, however call attention to the few reviewers who have given this film low marks. One can quickly see that they were rating the idiocy of war, the stupidity of some Headquarters commanders, or some other aspect of war, not the quality of the film. They are making political statements by rating the film low. Take that into consideration. I can think of no faults in this film. It is perfectly written, perfectly cast, perfectly acted, perfectly filmed, and perfectly edited. It is a spellbinder from start to finish, and it is true. It is also interesting to note that Major Whittlesey, the actual commanding Officer of the unit depicted, committed suicide three years after the events depicted. He was obsessed with brooding over the decisions he made that resulted in 300 of the 500 of his men getting killed because he tenatiously followed orders to hold his position. Three Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded as a result of the action depicted.
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.
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