The Lost Battalion

Starring:Rick Schroder, Phil McKee, Jamie Harris, Jay Rodan, Adam James (II), Daniel Caltagirone, Michael Goldstrom, AndrÃ© Vippolis, Rhys Miles Thomas, Arthur Kremer, Adam Kotz, Justin Scot, Anthony Azizi, George Calil, Wolf Kahler, Joachim Paul AssbÃ¶ck, Michael Brandon, Paul Courtenay Hyu, Josh Cohen, Tim Matthews
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

The true World War I story of an American unit that was surrounded by German troops and pounded mercilessly for days (at times even by its own artillery) is vividly portrayed in this made-for-television film starring Rick Schroder. Playing a patrician New York City lawyer commissioned a major and sent into combat, Schroder commands a battalion composed of New York wiseacres as well as so-called "apple knockers" from the West. The plot is straightforward (and will be familiar to those who know World War I history), but the film rises above what could have been a clichéd telling of the story of Major Whittlesey and his heroic men. The action sequences, shot tightly with hand-held cameras, owe a debt to Saving Private Ryan, and the surreal horror of World War I, in which armies killed with machine guns yet communicated by carrier pigeon, is conveyed very well. --Robert J. McNamara

Customer Reviews:

Suprising...........2007-05-04

I saw this movie coming on A&E or some other channel and thought it couldn't be good. It had RICK SHROEDER in it for crime's sake! And it was a made for tv movie. Well boy was I WRONG! This movie sucks you in with its realism and its insistence on detail. Small minute details are attended to as this story of the 1918 conflict unfolds in a most horrific (and true to life) manner.

This particular version is very crisp and clear. I actually like it better than the Made For TV version that I originally saw...

Buy it!

Well done!.......2006-10-17

Perhaps it was too long ago for anyone to have memories that could correct innaccuracies but few movies of the first world war seem to get it right. This one captures the American experience in that war like few others have. Drama and action together bring out a story of depth, courage, tolerance, and forbearance in the crucible of adversity. I watch it again and again. Hard to believe it was made for TV and not a major picture. Still one of the great war-stories to capture the American public.

Tops!.......2006-07-28

This is an excellent movie and very realistic. If you don't like to see what war does to people it's not for you. If you like military history it is. This true story is incredible!

Absolutely a "Keeper!".......2006-06-24

As an "old soldier" and a professor, I am not only a collector of war films representing all eras, but am a "student of war." In that role I am quite critical of all films in that genre, and I found "The Lost Battalion" to be practically flawless, which is indeed a rarity. The producers, director, and actors displayed a penchant for historical accuracy in this film, and provided rare glimpses of what it was "really like" during World War I.

There is a chilling reality throughout the film, to include how the war was seen and pursued from the lowliest fighting man through the top echelons of command, and even from the German perspective. Frankly, there are relatively few films that cover World War I very well, but this is clearly the very best. I feel that my collection - or anyone else's - of war films would be incomplete without "The Lost Battalion," as it is clearly the WWI equivalent of "Saving Private Ryan," and one of the best war films of all time.

Worthy.......2006-06-21

If you are my age, its hard to look at Rick Schroder without remembering where he got his start on cheesy TV sitcoms in the 1980s. He's always been kind of a joke.

I gained a little more respect for him when he played a great role in the epic TV series "Lonesome Dove", he did well. In this A&E film directed by Russell Mulcahy, "The Lost Battalion", he shines, and is perfect for the role. I have to admit that like the guy now. I really liked his character, and he quite thoroughly overcame my preconceptions.

This is the best WWI film for pure cinematic visuals that I have seen. Its filmed in 4:3 TV aspect ratio so its got a nice clean and crisp DVD picture, though it would have been magnificent in 6:9 wide screen. I wish they'd have done it for the big screen.

The story is a true recount of actual events, and its a good thriller with sweeping battle scenes - gritty and very much a WWI look that we don't see much- moving warfare, not trench warfare. You get a taste of both trench life and patrol life here, but the majority of the fighting is not trench fighting, but downright grueling battle in the woods. The German side is well represented, the US side is accurately portrayed.

This is a film about perseverance and dogged determination. Schroder plays Major Whittlesey, who finds himself hopelessly surrounded after being sent on a suicide mission, against his knowledge. His portrayal of a Major with honor and leadership abilities makes for a refreshing story in a time when many war films are about the rather nasty side of humankind or are predictably antagonistic to the honorable idea of fighting for what is right and good. As the plot moves along, the story unfolds in a fairly quick manner, but it is the characters' response to the overwhelming odds that really carries the story.

And the best part- detail, detail, detail! This is a visually rich film. Proper weapons, proper uniforms, loads of accurate scenery and attention to period detail make the experience believable. Small arms history buffs will enjoy this film. If you like early Mausers, Springfield 1903s, and especially the good old 1911, this is a film for you. Its colored in a rather dismal dusty unsaturated hue, perfect for the film's gritty nature. While not a blockbuster, the story is pretty good, and captures the true historical account acceptably well. WWI buffs need to have this movie, no doubt about it.

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