An under-strength US Army squad finds some strange goings-on in the Ardennes just before the Battle of the Bulge.
Saving Private Ryan is the epitome of the ultra-realistic war film. Another style is the allegorical WWII film exemplified by Castle Keep, Slaughter House Five, and A Midnight Clear.
My reaction to this one is mixed, but positive overall. This movie has its heart in the right place. It's faithful to William Wharton's book, but Keith Gordon did too good a job of distilling the novel down -- where the book was a little long, the film is a little short. The performances are right, but the characterizations are weak. The book's punch is still here, but we only get a little of its flavour. The novel is stronger on symbolism, and the eerieness of its mystery plot is only suggested faintly in the film.
To someone unfamiliar with the book, the movie's greatest weakness probably lies in trying to present the squad members as battle-hardened veterans. The response to that criticism is "It's not that kinda movie."
I think William Wharton was inspired to create a scenario expanded from a famous incident of the First World War. I think that he had a good idea. More important, I think you'll find it here.
Saving Private Ryan is the epitome of the ultra-realistic war film. Another style is the allegorical WWII film exemplified by Castle Keep, Slaughter House Five, and A Midnight Clear.
My reaction to this one is mixed, but positive overall. This movie has its heart in the right place. It's faithful to William Wharton's book, but Keith Gordon did too good a job of distilling the novel down -- where the book was a little long, the film is a little short. The performances are right, but the characterizations are weak. The book's punch is still here, but we only get a little of its flavour. The novel is stronger on symbolism, and the eerieness of its mystery plot is only suggested faintly in the film.
To someone unfamiliar with the book, the movie's greatest weakness probably lies in trying to present the squad members as battle-hardened veterans. The response to that criticism is "It's not that kinda movie."
I think William Wharton was inspired to create a scenario expanded from a famous incident of the First World War. I think that he had a good idea. More important, I think you'll find it here.