Description: They were misfits, rebels and heroes. Oscar(r) winners* William Holden and Cliff Robertsontopline this riveting World War II saga based on the true story of the First Special Service Force.Capturing the drama of combat with "outstanding" cinematography and an "exceptionally strong cast" (The Hollywood Reporter), The Devil's Brigade is a thrilling tribute to this renowned fighting unit. Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick (Holden) takes on the daunting task of melding a renegade group of American and Canadian recruits into a crack team of commando warriors. Frederick's superiors doubt the rookies until Frederick volunteers them for a perilous attack on a Nazi stronghold in the mountains. His men will be outnumbered and outgunned, but that's a fair fight to "the devil's brigade."
Amazon.com: Dismissed in 1968 as a plodding rip-off of The Dirty Dozen--without that 1967 film's sardonic, antiestablishment satire--The Devil's Brigade now plays like a nostalgic last gasp of the sentimental World War II action genre. Celebrating the 1st Special Service Force (a commando-like unit formed to fight in Norway but ultimately deployed in Italy), this typically broad Andrew V. McLaglen production recounts the teaming of some miscreant GIs with "the handpicked best of the best-trained army in the world"--the Canadians--under a U.S. officer (William Holden) who had never commanded men in combat. The first hour, heavy on machismo and low comedy, depicts the unit's training at an abandoned base in Montana, with nonstop international rivalry until Yanks and Canadians bond in a lusty saloon brawl. After that, the Germans are easy meat. Holden is solid, as usual, and so is the widescreen work of veteran cameraman William H. Clothier, impeccably rendered on the DVD. --Richard T. Jameson
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Classic William Holden
Classic war genre movie, classic William Holden. It would be a good one to round out your collection.
Rating: - I'm particular about war films
There are MANY war flicks that I care little for but this is a good one. The first half of the movie brings together WW II American and British geurilla tactic trainees and, naturally, they fight amongst ... Read More
Rating: - The Devil's Brigade
This is a great WWII movie. It exploits the beginning of the current Rangers and Special forces that we have today. Any task that is given, the movie depicts that the task will be accomplished regardless ... Read More
Rating: - A few fun facts about the film
I thought that this film was knock off of the Dirty Dozen myself within the first half hour or so of the movie, but in all honesty I thought that it was a much better movie. And I have always liked the anti ... Read More
Rating: - Entertaining WWII movie about Special Unit
If you like vintage WWII action movies like The Dirty Dozen you will enjoy the Devil's Brigade. It tells the story of a commando type unit that fights in Italy. The story is pretty simple - a unit comprised of ... Read More
- Classic William Holden
- Entertaining WWII movie about Special Unit