this movie be one of the overlooked war movie . it tell a powerful story about how history repeat itself . the american find themselves fall into the same trap that the french fell into just a few year earlier . their fear would be well found in just a few brief year . burt lancaster be great a the beleagured american major . his fate at the end of the movie be one that every combat soldier must surely dread . taut direction and combine with a strong supporting cast and a literate plot make this a must see for fan of the war movie genre . i would put it right up there with platoon and save private ryan . a strong 3 1\2 star .