The Dirty Dozen Comes Clean ***1/2

Rating: 9/10 (21 August 2006)

Faithful film detailing the army's attempt to recruit 12 men made up of convicted killers and rapists to do a major job by killing German officials.
The cast is top-rate. As Franco, a cocky killer, John Cassavetes received a well deserved supporting Oscar nomination. As a sadistic killer, who goes through religious rages against sex-driven women, Telly Savalas, who almost helped bungle the plot, deserved a nomination as well, but didn't get one.
Lee Marvin is their faithful commander who asserts himself and then gets the guys into shape for this daring fete.
The picture goes down some what as time is taken out for war games and the 12 men fooling Robert Ryan on two occasions. Ryan was always a difficult character to put it over on.
The film goes back to its greatness when the guys land to destroy the castle and the German officials in it. The action is strong and you leave the theater with the idea that people can be salvaged.