Last of the Great War Epics (some spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (13 November 2002)

Before some liberal comes down on me saying "since when is war ever great?" I would like to state that this is probably the last marginally-realistic "epic" from the second generation of war movies (1941-1977) that focuses more on the event rather than the people, as is the case with these films. The vast, expansive movie covers Operation: Market-Garden closely following dozens of grunts, generals, and civilians in the midst of it. General "Beanhead" Montgomery was one of the biggest flaws of World War II and had he been in charge longer, the British Army probably would've ceased to exist because he would've suffered too many Pyrrhic victories. Every time Eisenhower gave him the reigns to the war effort, he went off and crashed it leaving Patton to save the day. This is a shame because the British grunts of the war--as well put in the film--fought with great courage and skill, only to have their commanders make some of the worst decisions in military history. Heck, ALL sides are presenting as acting with great professionalism though the Germans are still shown in their stereotypical fashion of goofiness and mindlessness. While the film has too much in the pyrotechnics department and editing seems to be underdone, I find this much better than The Longest Day, The Big Red One, and Green Berets. 4/5