Review of When Trumpets Fade (1998) by Jim M — 01 Oct 2009

Novemeber 1944: The Battle of the Hurtgen Forest grinds on, the tense trees. cold weather, fog, and the German defenses combining to make a muddy mess for the Americans in a battle at times remeniscent of the First World War. Private David Manning is ether a coward or possessed of a keen sense of self preservation depending on who you ask. Desperate to get a Section 8 Manning instead finds himself promoted to Sgt. and given command of a squad of green recruits. Manning searches for a way out before becoming one of the growing casualties.

Focusing on the little known Battle of the Hurtgen Forest (September 19 1944-Febuary 10 1945 making it the longest Battle in the history of the American Army and the longest on the Western Front), director John Irving focuses on Manning and his squad. Ron Eldrad gives a great performance as a soldier who desperatly wants to stay alive and leave the war behind, but who's very survival ensures that he is constently thrust into the forefront of the battle. Not the best war movie (basically made to cash in on its big brothers released the same year Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line), but still features some good scenes and a great performance. If your into War movies check it out.