The Battle of San Pietro

The Battle of San Pietro

The Battle of San Pietro is a 1945 documentary film directed by John Huston about the battle of San Pietro during World War II. The film is unflinching in its realism (showing people close by dying on the field) and was first banned by the United States Army. Huston quickly became unpopular with the Army, not only for the film but also for his response to the accusation that the film was anti-war: Huston responded that if he ever made a pro-war film, he should be shot.

General George Marshall came to the film's defense, stating that because of the film's gritty realism, it would make a good training film; subsequently the film was used for that purpose. Huston was no longer considered a pariah; he was decorated and made an honorary major.

The film has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.