doug_park2001 WHEN TRUMPETS FADE is one of the very best recent WWII films. It doesn't have anywhere near the scope of something like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, but it captures what it was like to fight as a typical "grunt" in Europe during the winter of '44-'45--and what it's like to fight in a war anywhere--about as well as any movie can. Appropriately enough, its setting is the bloody, intense Battle of Hürtgen Forest, the longest single engagement in the history of the United States Army and one that, ironically, many of the history books largely ignore. Many experts now believe that this battle should have been avoided altogether.Ron Eldard gives a really fine performance as "Manning," a reluctant draftee-type who's "not about to take a bullet for anyone." One of the best aspects of this film is the way it shows the psychology--and irony--of how Manning's higher-ups use him via a combination of threats, flattery, and promotions just to take one small strategic spot during the battle. Just about everyone else in the film--American or German, I don't believe that there are any non-military characters --gives a commendably believable performance, but special mention goes to Zak Orth, who plays a typical replacement who, young, green, and unsoldierly though he may seem, turns out to be a fine soldier, and Martin Donovan as Captain Pritchett, a typically ruthless, uncaring commander to the men in his company but a bit of a Private Manning himself to his superior officers.Like most of today's war films, WHEN TRUMPETS FADE is gory, disturbing, and, by necessity (since it's about an unpopular and rather ineffectual battle), somewhat depressing. Still, the dialogue, battle footage, and various other aspects are nothing if not realistic. WHEN TRUMPETS FADE captures the cynicism of war-in-general incredibly well.

danielmorrison This entire film is one that should not be forgotten for its historical and psychological relevance. What I liked the most is how it shows how late in the second world war, US soldiers were often, if they had not done so already, their breaking points. The film displayed what war can turn someone into, where fear can cause valor, as is the case with the character Sanderson. The character of Manning was fascinating because he had only been in the conflict for a few days and he had already made his own opinions and options on the battlefield, and how he starts in the woods as a caring fellow, trying to save a wounded comrade, to being the instant battle hardened warrior he was when his squad was sent to take out the Flak 88 guns. I liked how this film gave an insight into what war does to people, and how during conflict they can be changed from average people into hardened-heartless warriors.

fats waller in this movie the leader is trying to get out of the war by claiming he is insane and he is trying to apply for a section 8 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_8_(military) ) that is the definition of the section 8. he makes a deal with a superior officer that if he takes out a couple of German artillery posts. he then finds out that that person was tricking him. throughout the whole movie they keep doing pushes into the German line there are always heavy casualties. he finally gets fed up with it and then he makes a renagade attack on the tanks that are shooting at them. i really liked it so much

Doug Lewis there was very little which was good about this. I'd say the only thing i REALLY found interesting/good was the odd choice of soundtrack - but that can probably be attributed to some degree to the budget - which is NOT what i'm complaining about here.there are things in this movie that are just stupid - such as a guy with a flame thrower in a forest battle who takes a 50 yard charge - by himself - across a flat, open area towards a half dozen armed Germans who are manning a few 88s. They all fire at him, but somehow miss - i guess his screaming deflects it - anyway, he managed to reach them, at which point they all take turns screaming and running from him as he chases them all down individually - in the open - and torches them.This pretty much explains a good chunk of this movies ridiculousness. I won't even get into the whole promoted from private to lieutenant in 3 days thing or anything else...