You'll recognize much of the cast in this good war drama that focuses on a rowdy bunch of soldiers who get past prejudices to continue the fight for freedom. Top billed William Holden, Cliff Robertson and Vince Edwards lead the pack of these devilish soldiers who don't initially get along, and in fact, the prejudices that are shown during the training period covering the first half of the film are presented quite realistically. Just because people are on the same side during a war doesn't mean that they aren't going to have their differences. An amusing but rather violent sequence shows a fight breaking out in a bar and the entire establishment destroyed because of the varying nationalities of these soldiers.
Richard Dawson of "Hogan's Heroes" fame is a part of the Canadian brigade that joins this team, their march to the training site in kilts with bagpipes playing, garnering some snickers from the other troops. Claude Akins as far from the heroic character he would play on TV and is quite the bully. But he gets his comeuppance several times throughout the film. Richard Jaeckel, Jeremy Slate and Andrew Prine are also part of the large ensemble with several guest appearances including Dana Andrews who has a great scene with Holden. The second part of the movie is active duty, a dangerous mission that brings everybody together. Perhaps not the most unique war movie made, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Richard Dawson of "Hogan's Heroes" fame is a part of the Canadian brigade that joins this team, their march to the training site in kilts with bagpipes playing, garnering some snickers from the other troops. Claude Akins as far from the heroic character he would play on TV and is quite the bully. But he gets his comeuppance several times throughout the film. Richard Jaeckel, Jeremy Slate and Andrew Prine are also part of the large ensemble with several guest appearances including Dana Andrews who has a great scene with Holden. The second part of the movie is active duty, a dangerous mission that brings everybody together. Perhaps not the most unique war movie made, but enjoyable nonetheless.