What with the American flags?

Rating: 9/10 (13 January 2000)

This film is excellent. Except for one respect. The toning in of the Stars and Stripes at the beginning and the end. Unnecessary, egocentric and downgrading. Most people who fought and died in WW2 were Europeans...
The thing that really made this film, is the opening sequence. The first 30 minutes are brilliant, horrifying and historical. Never, ever has war been depicted in such a realistic manner. It's genuine and true - not John Wayne waltzing out from the landing craft with the bullets whipping past him and his brave men. This is what it was like.
Other than that, this film is not too original. Most of the Germans are anonymous and disgusting, and even though the poor sod who gets to dig his own grave turns out to be a real b****rd. And there is one part I REALLY don't like: why on Earth does the guy they're looking for want to stay? It's irrational and unthinkable.
But all in all - this is a great movie. Not all too believable - but nonetheless, a realistic war movie. Just get rid of those flags, you guys!