Winner 1994

The American Experience: The Battle of the Bulge

WGBH-TV, Lennon Documentary Group for The American Experience

By late 1944, it appeared that the war in Europe was nearing its end. The Allies had regained Paris, as well as Casablanca, Tripoli, Naples, and Rome. But in December 1944, Hitler struck back with the counterattack that has come to be known as the Battle of the Bulge, among the biggest and bloodiest battles ever fought by American soldiers. After more than a month of fighting 30 German divisions, with temperatures hovering near zero and in driving snow, more than 80,000 Americans had been killed, maimed, or captured. This stirring documentary retells this historic story through the recollections of those who made that valiant stand. Marked by exceptionally well-researched and restored archival footage, poignant recollections, and the unmatched narration of historian David McCullough, The American Experience and Lennon Documentary group reminds us of the price paid to preserve democracy. For so doing, a Peabody to Battle of the Bulge.