Alex Huys

History in film

 

 

 

The Lost Battalion

 

 

Release date:

December 2nd 2001

 

Directed by:
Russell Mulcahy

Writer:
James Carbatsos

 

Cast:

 

 

 Rick Schroder ...           Maj. Charles White Whittlesey

 Phil McKee ...               Capt. George McMurtry

 Jamie Harris ...              Sgt. Gaedeke

 Jay Rodan ...                 Lt. Leak

 Adam James ...              Capt. Nelson Holderman, Co. K 307 th

 Daniel Caltagirone ...   Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia

 Michael Goldstrom ...  Pvt. Jacob Rosen

 André Vippolis ...          Pvt. Lipasti

 Rhys Miles Thomas ..  Pvt. Bob Yoder (sharpshooter)

 Arthur Kremer ...           Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky (runner)

 Adam Kotz ...               Col. Johnson

 Justin Scot ...    Pvt. Omer Richards (carrier pigeons)

 Anthony Azizi ...            Pvt. Nat Henchman

 George Calil ...              Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead

 Wolf Kahler ...              Gen. von Sybel

 

Plot Overview:

The Lost Battalion derives almost its entire plot straight from the history books. This is what some would call a fact-based war drama. It tells the story of an American battalion of roughly 550 men who were ordered to advance into enemy lines during the closing weeks of World War 1. The entire movie takes place within the Argonne forest in France where some of the most brutal fighting of the war would commence. Major Charles Whittlesy(a historical figure and the main character) tasks his men with penetrating deep within enemy lines and then entrenching themselves until reinforcement arrive. His battalion was to be alongside British and French forces, but because of heavy German resistance the two allies never broke through. Being the only force to break through enemy lines, Maj. Whittley and his men soon found them-selves surrounded. But rather then surrendering they chose to fight.

 

Historical Accuracy: 100% accurate

To even question the merits of this movies historical accuracy would be almost ridiculous. From weapons, and dialogue to the very buttons on the uniforms of the soldiers, everything in this movie was done right. This movies historical accuracy is to the point where I would recommend this to any teacher or class for educational purposes if not anything else.

 

Entertainment: 100% Entertaining

Entertainment and historical accuracy almost never go hand in hand. Usually one has to be sacrificed for the other. Yet this movie seems to defy that premonition. This movie is highly graphic(even for a war movie), which should satisfy all the action/war buffs, but also very well acted, which would satisfy even the toughest of critics. If the statement “This masterpiece, in my opinion, is the greatest war movie to have dawned on mankind” doesn’t convince a viewer to give The Lost Battalion a shot, then I don’t know what will.