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When Trumpets Fade [1998]


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good war movie
Review date: 2008-09-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

No big names so this movie is not well known. But its very good at showing how the infantry soldier suffered due to the incompetence of the higher command. Lots of action.

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Reviews


Authentic battle scenes
Review date: 2008-06-13 Rating: 8 out of 10

A good post Pvt Ryan experience, where the battle scenes capture much of the intensity, as well as showing the general disaffection of the troops. You will also get to see (albeit fleetingly) authentic German AFVs, of the type likely to be found at that time. Definitely watchable.

Hidden Gem
Review date: 2008-05-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

I guess this is the type of movie that the so called experts are these days calling a guilty pleasure - it'll never win awards, storm box offices or indeed feature in any tedious C4 top 100 lists. But I loved it all the same. I caught Trumpets late one Sunday night on Sky Movies several years ago and it was one of those evenings where I should have gone to bed as I had to be in work early the next day but stayed up anyway and was so glad I did.

A previous reviewer commendably explained the history and background to the film so I won't go into it too much here. Suffice to say it involves one of America's less celebrated periods in military history and does indeed tread the now well worn path of 'isn't war terrible?' etc.

But there were two aspects for me that raised the film above the norm and placed it firmly in my mind as an excellent piece of entertainment: Firstly Ron Eldard's (who??) central performance, perfectly playing the role of 'is he a hero or is he a coward?' better than it has ever done before and secondly the ending. Not only do you get enough action to please the most gung ho fans but you also get a logically thought out and surprisingly grown up and satisfying finish. The kind of ending that sent me to bed thinking about it and to me that is always good!

I'm surprised to read from other reviewers that this was a made for TV film as they tend to be dross. But if you also think that and are planning to avoid this film accordingly then take it from me that When Trumpets Fade is most definitely the exception which proves the rule.

Not so much brotherly love going on here
Review date: 2008-04-20 Rating: 6 out of 10

Band of Brothers raised the bar for the genre, but this is a very solid, short war movie concentrating on an attempt to capture a bridge at Hurtgen Forest. Ron Eldard leads a squad very much against his wishes, showing a different picture to the brotherhood portrayed in BoB. His motivations are purely personal, colouring his leadership and courage. This is a low budget effort from '98, and the dialogue is stilted, but the action is intense and brutal, displaying the chaos and fear to great effect. Worth a look for sure, but don't expect the glitz of Hollywood.

A good anti-war movie about a "forgotten battle"
Review date: 2007-11-11 Rating: 8 out of 10

Set in the fall of 1944 and the battle between American infantry forces and German defenders at Hurtgen Forest. It is the longest single battle the U.S. Army has ever fought in its history and casualities were around 60.000 US soldiers. The battle was know for its brutality, probably more so since the battle lines hardly moved, similar to WW1 trench warfare. For all its brutality and sacrifice the Battle Of Hurtgen Forest has long been considered a forgotten battle, with the attention going to Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, probably because there is no glory in a stalemate.

The story itself is fiction and follows pvt Manning, the sole survivor of his group as he must lead new recruits into the meat grinder and is promoted against his wishes. Many of his comrades consider him to be flawed and question why he is alive when everyone else is dead. The new recruits must learn fast or die. So even if the story is fiction it tries to capture the spirit of the battle and its message is War is Hell.

War movie buffs will like it, attention is given to detail and even though it is a television production there are a lot of extras making the scenes convincing. Special mention should go to Martin Donovan as Capt. Roy Pritchett, pvt Mannings Company Commander. An intelligent man who sees the futility of the battle but must soldier on and push his men into the meat grinder while he wants nothing more than to keep them alive. A very strong preformance.

The script is well written and has connections to older war movies that some may spot and the story progresses well.

I enjoyed it and thought it was good and it has a worthy place in my collection.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Ron Eldard
Zac Orth
Frank Whaley

Creators:
Ron Eldard (Primary Contributor)
Zac Orth (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Arrow Films
Manufacturer: Arrow Films
EAN: 5027035005133
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-24
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 89 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998
Language: English (Unknown)

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