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Bill Mullikin, Bob Newhart, Bobby Darin

Don Siegel brings his tough worldview and crisp, no-nonsense direction to this quintessential World War II drama of an undermanned American platoon in France holding off a German advance through sheer...( read more  read more... ) bluff and bravery. Steve McQueen is curt and surly as the insubordinate loner whose tactical skills and soldiering savvy make him indispensable to his new unit. His reputation precedes him, but commander Fess Parker is in no position to be choosy when he learns that his tired platoon will not be shipping home as rumored, but tossed into a ragged new offensive. Harry Guardino costars as the soulful Sarge; James Coburn is the slow-talking, forever-tinkering mechanic; Bobby Darin is the scavenger with a small fortune in trinkets; and Nick Adams is the Polish orphan and unit mascot. Bob Newhart makes his feature debut as a hopelessly lost typing clerk drafted into the undermanned unit and re-creates his nightclub shtick making phony phone calls near a Nazi listening post in the pillbox. Like Pork Chop Hill, this film is less a patriotic flag waver than a "war is hell" drama that frames the battle not in its tactical importance (which is negligible) but in its cost in human life. McQueen's taciturn performance as a ruthlessly effective soldier and Siegel's tough, lean direction make it a modest classic of the genre. --Sean Axmaker

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73% liked it

303 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 89 min.

Directed by: Don Siegel

Release Date: June 26, 1962

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DVD Release Date: May 22, 2001

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Stats: 83 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (83)

  • bradwest
    January 6, 2009
    bradwest
    This has a great cast and is pretty effective for something that looks more like a jacked up television production.
  • garyX
    March 8, 2007
    garyX
    A strong cast led by the superb Steve McQueen tough it out in a gritty WWII story that concentrates on the soldier on the ground rather than the "big picture". One of my favourite war movies.
  • Simkiel
    August 9, 2009
    Simkiel
    watched 20 min. and that was enough.
  • TrekkieGirl16
    March 25, 2009
    TrekkieGirl16
    This movie shows what war is really like and it's more of a historical reinactment than a movie!
  • blacksnake2
    October 6, 2008
    blacksnake2
    Ruthless battle action glorifying the US Infantry against Nazi forces in WW2. Based on actual battle reports from the infamous "Murder Ridge" on the notorious "Sigfried Line". Director Siegel does his best with a strong cast of current and future greats even though he has to bow...( read more) to studio pressures and slip in some comic relief via Superstar crooner Bobby Darin and urbane Bob Newhart. James Coburn is a standout here, showing his toothy handsomeness against "Flint" type as a low key mechanic who goes ape-nutso in the infamous flamethrower scene, and Big Fess Parker is convincing as the Top Sergeant, plus egotist actor Nick"The Rebel" Adams typically tries to steal as many scenes as he can. Mike Kellin makes the most of his doomed character, and Siegel uses the Hitchcockian "God" camera angle to it's most terrifying effect in his death scene, shockingly realistic. The final panoramic battle scene was incorporated from an actual Army training exercise, so there is the proverbial "cast of thousands" being put to use here, no phony CGI. McQueen's characterization of the stripped-of-his- stripes-Butcher-knife carrying "Reese" is compelling, as a war-lover who, as the irascible Captain haplessly describes as not being able to understand a soldier "Who cracks up when the pressure is off". Reese lives for the adrenaline rush of combat. He drinks and whores enough to be a screw up when not "on the line" killing the enemy. I saw this film as a kid with my Korean War Veteran uncle who gave it a thumbs up and I'm sure it helped shape my persona somewhat, so it remains a nostalgic favorite of mine and an overlooked McQueen performance arguably as strong or even better than in "Bullitt", 'The Great Escape" or "The Sand Pebbles", because unlike those other roles, "Reese" is 110% hardcore. His only weakness is booze & cheap broads. It's obvious Reese was a killer long before he volunteered for the Army, (probably to stay out of prison), which is why he can't keep his stripes. Although this film has it's flaws (Even "Citizen Kane" is not 100% perfect) this is still seriously worth some buttered popcorn time for movie buffs with an open mind, who can appreciate one of the better examples of the "War Is Hell" (& "Badass MoFo') genre...
  • mikezillatron
    March 30, 2008
    mikezillatron
    a nice 'n grity war movie.
  • manly500usa
    December 18, 2007
    manly500usa
    A great war film from McQueen, very realistic.
  • katiecat77
    September 10, 2007
    katiecat77
    Another small budget WW2 gem. McQueen is fantastic. And catch Bob Newhart's first acting role.
  • williamleonard
    August 25, 2007
    williamleonard
    Black+white=this film.

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