Correctamundo! There was supposed to be a striking difference between the Col. Hagmans efforts and Treat Williams'character's assault. Also, remember that when Williams came in, he came in "dressed to hunt bear." He had at least 2/3 battalion of US Rangers, who were also elite troops, armed with a scout car w/ quad mount and bazookas. I believe this was the author's "fantasy match up,' having the elites of 2 nations duke it out.
I was rather impressed by the battle sequence in that it was one of the few times in cinema where battle scenes are geographically consistent with the story. What I mean is that in most war films you only see small tight shots of the battle areas, with no idea of where once action sequence is (geopraphically) in relation to another. In EHL, the audience has a reasonable mental "view" of the layout of the town.
BTW: trivia: anyone know why it was important for Steiner to insist the Paratroopers have their German Uniforms under the british outfits?
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laszlozoltan
18 years ago
According to the Geneva conventions, a soldier wearing either civilian or the military uniform of another country may be considered a spy and is not subject to the rules of war protecting the rights of soldiers who surrender or are captured; this may mean execution, torture, denial of medical aid, food etc.
At least since the Napoleonic wars wearing the uniform of another country was a death sentence if captured.
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edestci
10 years ago
anyone know why it was important for Steiner to insist the Paratroopers have their German Uniforms under the british outfits?
Not british, are polish uniforms !
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