Battle of the Bulge (1966)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(8,090 ratings)

In December of 1944, the Allied high command is convinced that German forces in Belgium are in a low state of readiness, and perhaps even about to withdraw. Only one officer on the front lines, intelligence specialist Lt. Col. Kiley (Henry Fonda), believes otherwise -- that the Germans are actually… More In December of 1944, the Allied high command is convinced that German forces in Belgium are in a low state of readiness, and perhaps even about to withdraw. Only one officer on the front lines, intelligence specialist Lt. Col. Kiley (Henry Fonda), believes otherwise -- that the Germans are actually planning an attack. His opinion is rejected by his immediate superior (Dana Andrews) and his commanding general (Robert Ryan). Kiley spots several suspicious signs of German activity behind enemy lines on a reconnaissance flight, and he is at the front looking for evidence when the German counter-offensive starts. Taking advantage of Allied unpreparedness and a weather front that grounds all aircraft, their heavy tank units, supported by infantry, roll over the American forces, assaulting the lines at five different points in an attempt to ultimately divide the Allied forces in the west. The German top tank officer, Colonel Hessler (Robert Shaw), has planned his operation perfectly, but he is in a race against time, to take as much territory as possible before the weather front moves out and American aircraft can fly again, and to capture the American fuel supplies so that the offensive can continue right to the port of Antwerp. He has the total dedication of his men, but engenders doubts from his aide, Conrad (Hans-Christian Blech), who is weary of the fighting and wonders what it is all for. Meanwhile, Kiley is trying to uncover the weak spot in the German offensive, and he crosses paths with several other key players in this drama: Charles Bronson as a combat officer charged with the defense of the collapsing American position, James MacArthur as a neophyte lieutenant who becomes a leader, and Telly Savalas as a conniving sergeant in command of a tank who unexpectedly finds a nobler, less mercenary side of himself. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Ken Annakin
Written By: Philip Yordan, Milton Sperling
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1998 Wide
On DVD: May 3, 2005

Critic Reviews

John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...one comes away merely admiring its craftsmanship. (TCM Greatest Classic Films: War)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The most harrowing sequences in the show occur at the beginning and the end... It's the two-and-a-half hours in between that are the problem.
Keith Breese, Filmcritic.com
when all the dust settles, Battle of the Bulge is a really long, really talky movie
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Precise, compelling tale of one of WWII's biggest battles.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A WWII story that is interesting more for it's characters rather than the visual spectacle of the battle itself. Several sub-plots are interlinked involving Nazi spies posing as allied soldiers, a race against time to prevent the germans reaching a fuel depot, a self centred… More
A WWII story that is interesting more for it's characters rather than the visual spectacle of the battle itself. Several sub-plots are interlinked involving Nazi spies posing as allied soldiers, a race against time to prevent the germans reaching a fuel depot, a self centred operator's redemption and philosophical musings about the nature of war and the individuals who fight it. The many stories don't quite hang together as a whole, but Robert Shaw steals the movie as the cold-hearted professional soldier who commands the german tank column.
Jeffrey M

While not quite in the same league as the greatest war epics (such as the brilliant Patton), Battle of the Bulge is still a solid all around showing. Historical inaccuracies aside, the cast is strong, and the characterizations are especially well done, particularly with Robert… More
While not quite in the same league as the greatest war epics (such as the brilliant Patton), Battle of the Bulge is still a solid all around showing. Historical inaccuracies aside, the cast is strong, and the characterizations are especially well done, particularly with Robert Shaw's character, showing a willingness of the film to try and show some complexity of the conflict. This, combined with clever humor and good action make it a strong classic war film.
Jonny C

Beautifully shot war movie with an all-star cast and great battle scenes. I thought Henry Fonda was miscast in his role, as he wasn't very believable. However the rest of the cast were great, super tough guys Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Robert Ryan fitted the bill… More
Beautifully shot war movie with an all-star cast and great battle scenes. I thought Henry Fonda was miscast in his role, as he wasn't very believable. However the rest of the cast were great, super tough guys Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Robert Ryan fitted the bill perfectly, and Robert Shaw is excellent as the German Commander.
Barry L

Superb war film. Hasnt aged a bit.

Cast

            Henry Fonda as Lt. Col. Kiley

            Robert Shaw as Colonel Hessler

            Robert Ryan as Gen. Grey

            Dana Andrews as Col. Pritchard

            Telly Savalas as Guffy

            Ty Hardin as Schumacher

            George Montgomery as Sgt. Duquesne

            Anna Maria Pier Angeli as Louise

            Barbara Werle as Elena

            Charles Bronson as Major Wolenski

            Werner Peters as Gen. Kohler

            Hans Christian Blech as Conrad

            James MacArthur as Lt. Weaver

            Axel Anderson
            
            Richard Baxter
            
            Janet Brandt
            
            Victor Brandt
            
            Donald Pickering
            
            Steve Rowland as Bit part

            Ben Tatar
            
            Robert Woods
            
            John Clark
            
            William Conrad as Narrator

            Karl Otto Alberty as Von Diepel

            Carl Rapp
            
            Pier Angeli
            
See full cast