When Trumpets Fade

Synopsis:

From John Irvin, the director of the gut-wrenching "Hamburger Hill," comes this HBO Original Movie, "When Trumpets Fade," a World War II tale set against the bloody Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. Private David Manning (Eldard, House Of Sand and Fog) is promoted to the rank of Sergeant, when the rest of his platoon is wiped out by enemy fire. Unable to cope with the pressure of leading a squad of green-horn GIs, Manning requests for a discharge, citing mental disability as the reason. However, Manning's commanding officer, Captain Pritchett (Donovan, Agent Cody Banks), offers him a deal: he will process his request only if Manning and his platoon take out a German gun-post. Make no mistake, war is hell - it's not about victory, it's about survival. "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Thin Red Line" may steal the thunder when it comes to World War II epics, but "When Trumpets Fade" is not to be missed for its equally powerful portrayal of war at its worst. As Churchill once said: there is no such thing as a good war.

Casts: Ron Eldard, Frank Whaley, Martin Donovan

Duration : 87 minutes