O Último Batalhão

We watched this last night - I only hired it because it was about WWI's Western Front, one of my abiding interests.

This faithful re-creation of the brutal slaughter of two thirds of Whittlesey's battalion in the Argonne Forest in WWI is one of the finest war movies I've seen (and I include Saving Private Ryan in that list).

The director uses the same sort of hand-held camera footage to re-create how the on-going massacres must have looked through the eyes of the men on the ground. The scene where a man takes a direct hit from a bomb and is vaporised, with just his rolling helmet remaining, is mesmerizing. My partner and I were open mouthed in awe.

As happened so often in WWI, the stupidity and stubbornness of the commanders, often 20-30 miles behind the front line, seems incredible. And the bravery and dedication of the Battalion, made up of a motley crew supposed misfits, mostly from the 'seamy' suburbs of New York, is amazing and beautifully portrayed.

Even the Germans are well rounded characters, not just stupid Huns. they become human too, even if you don't much like them.

And over it all is the poignant underlying knowledge that this is October 1918, just 5 weeks before Armistice Day. It all seems so futile.

But the Battalion held and was credited with being the spearhead for the Allied breaking of the German lines in the area.

I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to all aficionados of war movies.

In 1918 and six weeks before the end of the war, Gen. Alexander orders an attack on the Argonne forest in France. New York lawyer Major Whittlesey (Rick Schroder) disagrees with the order but leads his men into the attack anyways. Alexander pushes Whittlesey forward despite the French having already withdrawn. Poor communications and general confusion leave Whittlesey and his more than 500 men stranded with everybody else retreating back to their trenches. They are surrounded by German forces while the Allies search for their exact location.

This is a well made war movie considering it's only a TV movie. The action is superbly shoot. The sets are good and muddy. Schroder gives an effective performance as the sincere warrior with a conscience. Most of the cast does well. The true story is compelling patriotism and filled with good tension. It is a simple but impressive story.

In 1918 in World War I, in the Meuse-Argonne Sector in France, the former New York lawyer and Major Charles White Whittlesey (Rick Schroder) is assigned by Gen. Robert Alexander (Michael Brandon) to a massive suicidal attack against the German forces in the Argonne Forest with his five hundred men battalion. However, the forces supposed to be giving support through the flanks retreat and the communications with the headquarter of the 77th American Division are cut. Major Wittlesey holds his position with his men, mostly Irish, Polish, Italian and Jew gangsters from New York, surrounded by the German army. Without food, water, ammunition and medical supplies, only two hundred men survive after five days of siege.

Based on a true event, "The Lost Battalion" is a great tale of bravery and courage. I do not know how accurate the facts are displayed, but I liked this movie very much. The battle scenes are very gore and realistic, in a war of trenches and bayonets, and the actors have great performances, being impossible to highlight an individual acting. Just as a curiosity, this film does not have any actress, only men in the cast. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Último Batalhão" ("The Last Battalion")

Without the extreme violence and profanity of "Saving Private Ryan" or "Black Hawk Down", Mulcahy's film achieves a higher level of cinematic and emotional success than either of its modern counterparts. The balance of true-life horror and tear-evoking courage and honor is perhaps more beliveable and acceptible than in the fictional "Ryan" or the questionable context of "Black Hawk". That is for history to evaluate. In the case of "Ryan", the ridiculous premise, based upon the true-life scenario of the deaths of the fighting Sullivan brothers, pales in comparison to the true story of Whittlesey and his battalion's mission to serve the entire American Army and its allies, not just one family. In addition, "The Lost Battalion" is a comparable technical tour-de-force, although perhaps Mulcahy derives some directorial inspiration from Spielberg. He compensates for this be eliciting a superior performance from Rick Shroeder than Spielberg did from Hanks, and by adding some nifty special effects shots here and there. This is a film that mixes the respect for the fighting soldier with a disdain for inept command, and war in general. There is no other agenda here, because the truth tells its own story. Rent this, or buy it. You will not be disappointed.

I must give the staff at the A&E Network thier proper praise, because everytime I watch one of thier origianl movies I'm always left feeling satisfied and entertained. Thier Original films like The Crossing, or Sharpe's Rifles are always on the mark, and never Disapointing. I must say that the A&E Studios is the best made for TV studio -bar none. Movies like the Horatio Hornblower series and this one "The Lost Battalion" are proof that A&E Studios are the best made for TV movie studio on earth. I'm surprised this film wasn't shown on the big screen.This film is easily A&E's most expensive and most elaborate production to date.

This film is a very Brutal look at World War I and It is based on a true story. and by the looks and feel of this film A&E Network spared no expense to get this film right. Rick Schroder gives a very Moving performance(even better than his role in Lonesome Dove)and all the other actors do a magnificent job in this film. The Special Effects are perfect and are comparable to any major big screen war movie I've ever seen(although the jerking/shaking camera shots and the overall dirty gritty feel did remind me of Saving Private Ryan). This film has a very touching human story that make you proud to be an american. I loved this film and I plan to purchase a copy on DVD. Even the Music score is very well done. I would recommend this movie to anyone(except it may not be suitible for young children). this film depicts dealing with losses, trusting in blind faith, and finding the courage to carry on. I cant say enough good about this film. I would have gladly paid to see this in a theater! I gave this film 9 out of 10 stars - a near perfect film.