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.

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.

this movie accurately portrays what is was like for green recruits to be on the front lines of battle. this movie is about a private Manning who is part of a squad that is entirely wiped out. having been the only one to survive he is promoted to sergeant and put in change of his own squad. After exemplifying himself is an act of heroism he is recommended to be given his own platoon. The movie accurately displays on how friends you have been fighting with and assume so naively would live actually end up dying in your arms. i enjoyed this movie because i enjoy movies about war with violence and gore. however i have to say that there was drama in the script that came up just out of the blue and it didn't really add anything to the story. on a side not Private Sanderson is the man! He should be made next company commander. to conclude i would recommend this movie to anyone who likes band of brothers or any of the call of duty games.