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BATTLEGROUND
US, 1949, 115 minutes, Black and white.
Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban, George Murphy, Marshall Thompson, Jerome Courtland, Don Taylor, James Whitmore, Leon Ames.
Directed by William A. Wellman.
Battleground was acclaimed as a fine World War Two film. It recounts events in the Battle of the Bulge, especially the defence of Bastogne in the winter of 1944-45. The film shows a small platoon as part of the overall battle, the wintry conditions, the camaraderie amongst the men, the infiltration by Germans disguised as American troops.
While the film seems commonplace, in retrospect it was significant to have a film of such repute so soon after the events. MGM used a lot of their character actors in the film, led by Van Johnson, a change from his comic or singing and dancing routines. John Hodiak is a serious presence. Ricardo Montalban was at the beginning of his American career. George Murphy had been a song-and-dance man and was to leave films and become Governor of California. Don Taylor was to become a prolific director of films and films for television.
The film, in stark black and white, spends some time on the characters and then shows the detail of day-by-day action, inaction, lack of information, confrontations, fighting with the Germans.
The film was directed by William A. Wellman who twenty years earlier had directed the first Oscar-winning film, Wings. He spent some time in France with the Lafayette Escadrille during World War One.
1.The impact of the film in its time, acclaim? So soon after the events? In retrospect?
2.The black and white photography, the French locations – all on the MGM back lot? Authentic feel? France, the winter? The musical score?
3.The strong cast, the MGM stars and character actors?
4.A very male film – but with the presence of Denise, the children in the village, Denise and her help, reappearance at the end? The other women helping with the wounded?
5.Audience knowledge of the Battle of the Bulge, the ending of World War Two? The American presence, the advance, the strong defence by the Germans? On the ground, in the air? The long siege of Bastogne?
6.Van Johnson as Holley, the typical American, loud, a leader, interactions with Denise, with the other men? In action? His suspicions of the Germans disguised as Americans? Personal feelings, fighting, the experience of the war?
7.Jarvess, the serious man, the reporter, his knowledge of French and German? His contribution to the fighting?
8.Rodriguez, California, Latino, cheerful presence, wounded, death?
9.Jim Layton, the earnest young man, his deference to the veterans? His presence during the battles?
10.Pop, his death? The other men? Characters differentiated? Interesting? Kinnie as the sergeant major, the opening of the film and the detailed drilling? His chewing? His supportiveness?
11.The chaplain, the ceremony, interfaith, his comments about celebrating for Jews? His comments about the righteousness of the fight against fascism? His support of the men?
12.The American tone of the film? The patriotism of the period? Comparisons with later wars, later war films?