Violent WW2 saga with great cast!

Rating: 7/10 (12 December 2004)

Lee Marvin in perfectly cast as tough Major Reisman with a motley crew of murders and idiots to whip into shape for a crazy mission. John Cassavetes takes top acting honors as Franco, the street-wise punk with a smart mouth. Donald Sutherland plays a low I.Q. soldier who's quite funny. Charlie Bronson is a hard nut and Telly Savalas is a religious psychopath. Jim Brown was believable with a great scene near the end. A 7 out of 10. Robert Ryan seems ill at ease with the part he has to play, but he was a wonderful actor for many years.
The violence in this movie bothers some, but what can you do? It was a different time then (especially in films). Robert Aldrich also directed BABY JANE and ATTACK.