One Surprising Helluva Movie

Rating: 9/10 (8 June 2004)

I didn't expect much the first time I watched this movie (Don Rickles?), but was hard up. I figured it would be a joke. What a surprise! This contains the most believable WW II fighting I have ever witnessed: men competent at combat through hard lessons, but who don't stick their necks out. And cynical to a fault. Realistic language, too. Plus the quirky incidents (the fecal happenstance included) that are characteristic of real combat. All of the equipment is phenomenal, especially for 1970, before it was popular to find old equipment and refurbish it.
My greatest criticism has always been for the Oddball character, who acts like a hippie and uses 60s lingo. The comment by Steve Willoughby put my mind at ease about this.
Not sure where the writer gained his insights into war, based upon his credits. But he sure did a great job on this script.
Not quite perfect, but this is a topnotch film for any WW II fan.