The Dirty Dozen: Stars in war

Rating: 7/10 (10 July 2003)

How stupid is "The Dirty Dozen"? How much does it tries to be nasty and cool? Does it fail? It might some kind of a pro-war movie, but claiming it to be is to make it easy. This is a movie which is hard to criticize in a simple way because it's motives are not as clear as some might think. Personally I didn't like the comic elements in it. They hadn't the timing they should have. Even if it is Bob Aldrich most famous film, it is not his best. It is a bit long, but mostly it is entertaining.
This film provides a heavy cast. I was surprised that Charles Bronson had such a big role, but it isn't one of his best. Even if Lee Marvin makes one of his most famous roles, it is far from his best (Point Blank, Hell in the Pacific, The Professionals, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance etc). I might think that John Cassavates potential wasn't used to maximum here. "The Dirty Dozen" has one of the most impressive star casts ever (such as Ryan, Borgnine, Kennedy, Sutherland and Savalas ), and at least uses it pretty good.
Rating: 7 of 10.