I think Battleground is one of the best war movies ever. I really like the fact the movie concentrates on the common foot soldier. Granted these guys are Airborne and somewhat elite.

I have a question regarding a vehicle in the movie. In a couple of scenes there is an AFV of some type. At one point a tanker says something to the effect of "I've only got 10 rounds left for old Betsy here", while patting the main gun. Does anybody know what type of AFV it was? It looks to me like it might have been a tank destroyer but I can't identify it.

Thanks.

I'd have to dig the video out to confirm, but if my rusty memory serves me, "old Betsy" is an M18 Hellcat tank destroyer.

I agree that Battleground is a classic WW2 flick -- definitely in my top 10. I always wanted to include a character like Holly with helmet full of "liberated" eggs in a diorama.

I need to see this do you think block buster has it?

Airwarrior, Blockbuster sells it online but I doubt any local stores carry it to rent. It's show fairly regularly on TCM, my wife and younger daughter even watched it with me the last time it was on.

Hollowpoint, I like the idea of modeling Holly. I was thinking a figure based on James Whitmore's character would be interesting. Imagine a figure in a greatcoat, hunched shoulders, rags wrapped around his frost bitten feet, and a weeks stubble on his face. THAT is something I'd love to see one of the better figure sculptures to make.

Thanks for the tip about the Hellcat. I was thinking about some kind of dio of a Hellcat with several fox holes in front with tree limbs covering them rifleman pokeing their weapons out from underneath.

This is definitely one of the early classic war films. Lacks all the excitement of Pvt Ryan, and Band of Brothers, but for realism....well this has got to be it. It truely shows the infantryman in his element and the tedium and uncertainty of day to day living on the front lines.

When you consider that this movie was made in 1949, it becomes apparent why the realism was there. The screenwriter apparently was in the 101st in Bastogne, and several of the actors were war vets.

This movie is also loaded with classic lines: "That's fer sure, that's fer danged sure..."