The Devil's Brigade (1968)

70% of users liked it
(2,818 ratings)

During the early days of World War II, while the United States was massing its forces for the war, England hastily plans commando raids against the German forces to keep them at bay until America's troops enter the war. As a part of this plan, the Allies create the 1st Special Service Force to plan… More During the early days of World War II, while the United States was massing its forces for the war, England hastily plans commando raids against the German forces to keep them at bay until America's troops enter the war. As a part of this plan, the Allies create the 1st Special Service Force to plan and carry out an attack on Norway in order to tie up the German forces. This commando force of Canadian soldiers and American GIs is headed by Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick (William Holden), a paper-pusher given his first field command. Antagonism immediately erupts between Canadian Maj. Alan Crown (Cliff Robertson) and American Maj. Cliff Bricker (Vince Edwards). But Frederick utilizes their mutual dislike as a basis for a rivalry that turns this rag-tag group of misfits into a disciplined fighting force. But now that Frederick's men are ready to fight, Frederick receives word that the Norway mission has been canceled. After appealing to Washington for another assignment for the commandos, the brigade is sent on a patrol near the German lines in southern Italy. The brigade captures an enemy-held village and is then given the seemingly impossible task of taking Mt. La Difensa. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Andrew V. McLaglen
Written By: William Roberts
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1968 Wide
On DVD: May 7, 2002

Critic Reviews

Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
The characters are pretty standard but the dialog is snappy and the story is worthwhile.

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Cast

            William Holden as Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick

            Cliff Robertson as Major Alan Crown

            Vince Edwards as Maj. Cliff Bricker

            Andrew Prine as Pvt. Theodore Ransom

            Claude Akins as Rockman

            Richard Jaeckel as Pvt. Omar Greco

            Richard Dawson as MacDonald

            Dana Andrews as Brig. Gen. Walter Naylor

            Michael Rennie as Gen. Mark Clark

            Carroll O'Connor as Maj.Gen. Hunter

            Gretchen Wyler as Lady of Joy

            Tom Stern as Capt. Cardwell

            Tom Troupe as Manella

            Luke Askew as Hixon

            Bill Fletcher as Bronc

            Jean-Paul Vignon as Henri Laurent

            Norman Alden as M.P. Lieutenant

            Harry Carey Jr. as Captain Rose

            James Craig as American Officer

            Gene Fullmer as Bartender

            Paul Hornung as Lumberjack

            Patric Knowles as Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten

            David Pritchard as Cpl. Coker

            Jeremy Slate as Sgt. Maj. Patrick O'Neill

            Maggie Thrett
            
            Wilhelm von Homburg
            
            Jack Watson as Corporal Wilfred Peacock

            Alan Caillou
            
            Jerry Gatlin
            
            Hal Needham
            
            Rita Rogers
            
            Paul Busch as German Captain

            Don Megowan as Luke Phelan

            Dick Simmons
            
            Alix Talton
            
See full cast

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