The Battle of San Pietro

*

This film has been preserved in the National Film Registry in 1991.

The Battle of San Pietro is a documentary film directed by John Huston about the Battle of San Pietro Infine sixty miles from Naples during World War II. It was shot by Jules Buck. It was released in the U.S. in 1945 but shown to U.S. troops earlier.

Why It Rocks

1. It's a huge contrast to the majority of WWII documentaries made during the era. Most examples of the genre end with the lead team being victories, with the only dead allies being seen at funeral services with officers praising their honors. This one is completely different. The battle is portrayed in a full gruesome manner and is completely unflinching in its realism, to the point where it was held up from being shown to the public by the United States Army. But then a general came to the film's defense, stating that because of the film's gritty realism, it would make a good training film as the depiction of death would inspired them to take their training seriously.
   • Just to get the right idea: Somewhere around 1,100 men died in the battle and dead GIs were shown being wrapped in mattress covers, the soldiers slowly crawling along rocky heights, the pounding of heavy artillery, the frightened civilians hiding in caves, etc. They're definitely not watering anything down.
2. Another unique distinction between military documentaries is the director's cameramen filmed alongside the Army's 143rd regiment, 36th division infantrymen, placing themselves within feet of mortar and shell fire. The film is shot from ground level, the level of the foot soldier.
3. John Huston does an absolutely amazing job with the film as the director, writer, and especially the narrator of his own well chosen words that are impressive in describing both the events and the atmosphere of a desperate and costly struggle, and efficient in detailing what the battle was about, what happened, and why it happened.
4. It's extremely emotional and depressing due to all of the suffering everyone goes through. It's pretty much unmatched in terms of emotional scenes.
5. Well-done cinematography and astonishing actuality footage during the battle scenes, that looks like it was done in real time.