One swell picture!

Rating: 9/10 (18 March 2010)

I saw this film in 1967, at the age of 13. I had been watching "Combat" on TV, and I knew the "Krauts" were evil, and the "G.I. Joe's" were always good and heroic. What a surprise to find out that Americans could be evil as well. I will always enjoy Telly Savalas, as Pvt. A.J. Maggot. He has the most evil laugh, and he is a Bible-reading, avenging angel of the Lord. What an over-the-top performance. When he is walking around the château, saying "Come out you sinners, come out come out, wherever you are!" I always cheer. Go get 'em A.J. !! The cast is superb, the film was Donald Sutherland's big break, he was picked to play the "General", and he ripped into the part, like a pit bull, the perfect touch of comic genius. Even Trini Lopez, was terrific, as a felon, whose only problem, is that the guards won't let him have any strings for his guitar. He gets the strings, and gets to sing "The Bramble Bush".
John Cassavetes (oscar-nominated) is perfectly slimy, as the "little bastard", Victor Franko. Always bitching about the floor,or the hot water, just superb.
The terrific cast includes Robert Webber, as a brightly polished adjutant officer, the perfect counter-point to the undisciplined Major Reisman (Lee Marvin). Robert Ryan, plays a west-pointer, who has the perfect combination of rage and humor.
The technical side of the film is excellent. Superb camera work and cinematography, smooth editing, great close-up work on Telly Savalas. Frank DeVol's score is riveting: drumbeats, and precise military rhythms. We even get to hear Sousa's "National Emblem" march. Robert Aldrich's precise direction, keeps a fine pace, during the first half of the film, mixing some comedy with the efforts of the scum-bags to become soldiers again. The climax builds, and then the successful conclusions.
Ex-football player, Jim Brown, is superb. The Army was segregated in 1944, and Telly Savalas asks "Do we have to eat with n*****s?" and then a riot ensues. We keep waiting for Jim Brown to run. When is he going to run? Finally, he gets to run, blowing up the Krauts. Sort of a reprise to Jesse Owens, showing up the Nazis at the Berlin Olympics.
I never miss a chance to see this film, every time it is run on TV.