One of the All Time Greats

Rating: 10/10 (29 September 2009)

Sutherland is sublime, and I never eat cheese and drink wine without channeling Oddball. Gavin MacLeod "is" Moriarty forever. Rickles in the blown up outhouse with Jeff Morris and Dean Stanton are priceless. I could go on and on. The cast, story, and understated anti-war sentiment make this timeless entertainment. Of course Eastwood, Savalas, and O'Connor all show again why they achieved cult status in front of the camera. I really wonder though, why more postings don't acknowledge the actor who in a very bit part, in my opinion, caps the entire climax and yes, almost steals the whole show, even from Sutherland. The Tiger tank commander (complete with Prussian traditional dueling scar) played by Karl Otto Alberty! Flawless direction sums up the Teutonic iron will of this character in one close-up. After the brief meeting, another artful close-up dispels everything, namely the tanks gun going off! So much for slavish devotion to Der Fuhrer! Satire relevant at so many levels, great comedy, action, and thought provoking insight into modern human nature all in one hugely entertaining film.