The film was directed by Russell Mulcahy, written by James Carabatsos, and stars Rick Schroder as Major Charles Whittlesey.

He is assisted in command by Captain George McMurty, a veteran of the Rough Riders, and James Leak, an inexperienced lieutenant from Texas.

Whittlesey and his men fight their way through the German line, believing they are going to be joined by American and French forces on their flanks.

During the siege, American artillery begins falling on the 77th's line, killing numerous men via friendly fire.

The second prisoner eventually agrees to take a message from the Germans to Whittlesey urging surrender after his captor says he wants to save lives.

The film has received generally positive reviews, praised for its historical accuracy, cast, and intense action.

The Lost Battalion gets around this problematic obstacle in two ways — it is based entirely on a true story and Jonathan Freeman blesses it with excellent cinematography...The movie is frenetic, chaotic, and completely breathtaking to look at".

[2] The review continued that "The Lost Battalion is filled with brutal and personal action that makes you feel like you're there as the men struggle to survive.

The movie has immediacy and a sense of claustrophobia as the enemy appears a few dozen yards in front of you, so close that you can see their eyes from your separate positions.

The trench warfare aspect of World War I comes alive in bloody color and pale brown dirt".