Battle of the Bulge.

R

This film is one of my favourites,depicting the horrendous Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.

The actual battle was fought in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium,with appalling losses on both sides as the American and German armies fought each other.It was also the setting for the infamous Malmedy Massacre,where American soldiers had surrendered to German units,and the latter shot many of them in cold blood.It's unknown to this day,if they ever caught the perpetrators of this dreadful crime.

In other respects,the film stars the late Robert Shaw,as a German tank commander in the battle.His character isn't a Nazi,and he fights honourably and decently.Even so,he does have his flaws,but Robert did a great job performing this role.

The beginning where he is introduced is good.If there's one thing I like about the Germans,they're great singers.I've listened to them myself whilst on holiday in Spain,and I was hugely impressed.

This opening scene gives a hint at how good they are.Indeed,the film features many excellent stars of the day,the late Telly Savalas as well as the late Charles Bronson.Many performed very well here,and I found the film very enjoyable and entertaining.There's a hint of grittiness,as it was clearly a desperate battle to survive,although it doesn't show the grim effects of war as Saving Private Ryan did.