John Huston's "The Battle of San Pietro" (Restored 1944)

Director John Huston's "San Pietro" was one of the most dramatic and controversial documentary films to come out of World War II. Almost alone, it portrayed dead and wounded American soldiers and civilians on the battlefield (though always with reverence) and unflinchingly revealed the face of War. When Huston and his crew reached San Pietro, the battle for the town they had been assigned to shoot was effectively over, so several of the scenes were "recreated" using the same troops who had fought there. (The area was still close to the front line & subject to artillery fire.) The footage of dead and wounded is very real.
The films release was delayed by the U S Army, who said it would be bad for morale and that it portrayed the controversial Italian Campaign in a bad light. (Commanding General Mark Clark, one of the most widely criticized US commanders, looks distinctly uncomfortable talking about the Battle in the film's introduction.) The Italian campaign was controversial because it's primary purpose was to draw German divisions away from France and relieve the pressure on the Soviets in Russia. That meant many months of heavy, costly fighting for the Allies slogging over mountainous Italian terrain that favored the enemy, with few tangible results, other than the opportunity to assault the next ridge. An ugly series of battles of attrition.
General George Marshall was the film's savior in 1945, saying, "This picture should be seen by every American soldier in training. It will not discourage but rather will prepare them for the initial shock of combat." The film was released as a training tool. Huston was redeemed, decorated and made an honorary major. The film was not seen by the public until after the war, with several graphic scenes edited out (Those scenes have been restored here.) In 1991, The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being, "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
In addition to engrossing combat footage, the film shows a series of maps that give an unusually thorough explanation of the ongoing tactical situation.
The Battle of San Pietro was fought from 8-17 December, 1943, with Fifth Army forces attacking from the south against the heavily defended German "Winter Line" in and around the town of San Pietro Infine, south of Monte Cassino, between Naples and Rome. The Germans held the high ground and poured fire down into the Liri valley on advancing, exposed, Allied troops. After four successive, costly Allied attacks and enemy counter-attacks, the Germans pulled back from San Pietro, once both flanks (Mount Lungo and the Sambucaro peaks) were in II Corps' possession. It took six weeks of heavy fighting -- from early November to late December--to overcome the Winter Line. Fifth Army sustained 16,000 casualties. By January the Fifth Army had reached the Gustav Line defenses and began the ferocious Battle of Monte Cassino.
When accused of making an "anti-war" film, the film's director, John Huston replied that if he ever made a "pro-war" film, he should be taken out and shot. Uplifting final scenes from the liberation of the town of San Pietro put into perspective why such a heavy price was paid.
See this Video and more on our "Battle of San Pietro" DVD. Also Includes "Operating the M-1 Rifle" video ad 74 page M-1 manual! bit.ly/1abXdVD
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