An excellent depiction

Rating: 8/10 (10 February 2011)

I, along with some others, feel this movie was very realistic in almost every aspect relating to the location and period. As a history buff I thought the battle scenes brought the horrors of hand- to-hand combat right into my living room; quite possibly the best I've ever seen (Ranks with the Normandy landing in Saving Private Ryan.) and I have viewed hundreds of war movies and programs. Unfortunately, there were moments in the film I felt were to easily anticipated, but all-in-all they were easily forgotten due to the gorgeous scenery and defined plot. Thank God they had enough sense to not add one of those ridiculous gratuitous sex scenes which seem to appear in practically every Hollywood movie of recent years! (I hope that information isn't considered a "spoiler". This is my first submission.) Far too many movies lose their entire head of steam with such absurdity. At least in foreign film any love scenes are essential to the plot and portrayed realistically. Of course, most Americans are so anal they cannot see past their self- appointed Moral Code!!!