1960's sensibilities grafted onto a WWII story

Rating: 8/10 (8 August 2004)

In the same way "MASH" (especially the TV show) placed later moral attitudes onto earlier characters, this movie posits that a battleweary recon unit (assisted by a sort of hippy-who-kills-people, fortuitously available with some Shermans) would go for a 'big score' of gold. As such, it's not really a WWII movie - on the other hand, it's still a great fun war movie. Telly Savalas really shines as Big Joe, the iron sarge of the piece, while Clint Eastwood plays his basic man-with-no-name character for Kelly, the mover and shaker. Great music (except that awful theme song), and nicely done Tigers make it a fun watch. Above average combat scenes.