Brilliant American War Movie

Rating: 10/10 (4 May 2014)

This movie was made twenty years before I was born an even though I had heard of this title I never saw the film, not even in passing. I thought I must have seen it on TV sometime but no I was wrong. Having just seen it recently I can honestly say it is brilliant. Turning a group of convicts into a trained militia, sending them off to do battle with the Nazis in advance of the D-Day landings depicts the cruelty of war & the chance to start a new life post war.
It is fascinating to see Americans in this period. Not knowing much about American colloquialism this gives a new more down to earth feel of what it was like back then. Gone are the days of the Cowboys and now even the criminals are being called up for duty. The interactions between Major Reisman the protagonist who is ordered to train this rabble are very amusing. One example of this which sums up the situation the convicts find themselves is this dialogue
Wladislaw (Reading the paper) He was going over the hill. My outfit was pinned down by the worst crossfire you ever saw. Half of them bleeding to death. And this lover took off like a rabbit. . .. . .with the medical supplies on his back. The only way to stop him was to shoot him. Anyhow, he had it coming.
Major Reisman: Yeah. But you only made one mistake,
Wladislaw: huh?
Major Reisman: (Leaving the room) Guard.
Major Reisman: You let somebody see you do it.
Just like Wladislaw the Polish American officer the other criminals are also bitter against the military authority. Victor Franco the Chicago petty mobster, Posey the Apache, Jimenez the Mexican, Robert Jefferson an African American who believes the white court deliberating convicted him. Not forgetting the actual mad man "Maggot". The other cast of lesser criminals that form this motley crew must work and fight as a team. Major Resiman is accompanied by Sgt Bowren in this task
The most likable character is Vernon Pickely a weak minded crowd pleaser with his service being required to impersonate a general on the orders of Major Reisman which is a court martial offense of itself. The one sleazy moment in the film is when the men must meet the women. This film shows how the criminals have the determination to win by breaking the rules while the Colonels and Captains are restricted by arrogance.