However, the movie starts very abruptly; not much background is given on any of the principle characters, and they aren't really given a chance to develop. The movie is also too slow, and drags quite a bit. It's also history-heavy; those without a firm sense of who these people are (as its based on a true story) will probably find themselves lost more than once. It doesn't help that Berenger and love interest Daniela Romo (who plays Marta, a Mexican servant) have very little chemistry together. Patrick Bergin has a small part as General Winfield Scott, and his performance is chilling - if General Scott had any redeeming qualities, these are not evident in the film.

Picture:
You get a choice of viewing the film in either 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen or in fullscreen. The picture is sharp and crisp in widescreen, although near the end there is a white crooked line that briefly appears near the right side of the film.

Sound:
While this movie depicts the brutality of war, even the battle scenes don't make use of the 5.1 DD as much as they could have. Near the end of the film, the surround is much better utilized, but its still lacking, as the rear channels mostly remain unused throughout the film.

Extras:
Not a lot here - you get your choice of Spanish or French subtitles and chapter selection. That's it. No trailer, no bios, nada.

Summary:
Unless you're a diehard history buff or you're extremely interested in either the Saint Patrick's Battalion or the Mexican-American War, I'd skip this title. You won't miss much, especially with a noticeable lack of extras, and only half-hearted 5.1 DD sound.