Reviews

I'm not sure what the 80's repackaging with the burning skull has to do with it but............ It's like someone filmed a community play. What's wrong with that? Definitely some good shoe clicking foley artist work. It's good to see a movie where people smoke cigarettes as they work/act - improv smoking. Cameron Mitchell movies are always watchable. Especially when there is an eye-patch involved. Some people called this a "Z" Movie and that's what it is, but good still under proper conditions. Would be good in IMAX 3-D. Gave it a "5" because it's definitely one of those get it or not movies. I think I bought a lawnmower from that detective guy in scene 29 over at ACE in 1974. Would actually be good at a drive-in with a six pack.

I read a few of the negative reviews here and they are way off the mark. Aside from some of the relationship development between DeNiro and Streep that appears to have hit the cutting room floor due to length, I do not see this as a "war movie" but about friends and the impact war has on them - a bunch of hard working, hard playing steelworkers form 60's PA (something I don't think exists anymore in the US of A). I saw this at the theater as a kid expecting it to be more of a war flick than it turned out to be (meaning more battlefield action) but having seen it over and over again as an adult, it has grown to be one of my favorite flicks of all time - occasionally topping "my list" as number 1. Watch the "segments" as they are intended and see how powerful this film really is - I know there have been complaints about the length and the first segment being too long, but always remember this is a movie about friendship and best friends and not the a war flick in the classical sense.

I saw this movie as a kid at the theater "in the back corner of the mall" that showed those "hardcore R" movies in the late 70's - nervous buying the tix but the theater guy always let us in. Without a doubt, watchable. I'm just getting my kids to appreciate "cinema" and this one is one the list. Most of it is where we saw it versus what we saw but it's now viewable in your home at your calling. Technology. I personally dislike CGI and the proliferation of computers as "film" so these are the type of movies that now define an era gone by. Sad but true. There is an appreciation to be had with this movie that's like watching Shakespeare in the Park with motocross and entertaining foley artist work (albeit laughable).

From what it sounds like, money issues limited the release of this film in the US and Canada in 1978 but me and my war film filmmaker buddies (in 8th grade at the time) were first in line for this one in the suburbs outside of Chicago. We were in it for the battle scenes and weapons (having gotten into the mercenary stories of Soldier of Fortune magazine) and were not left unsatisfied. The story line is that of an updated 60s WWII flick and one can't help feel much of it could have somehow been applied to a Gregory Peck or David Niven vehicle, but the flick is more than entertaining. Lots of side stories related to casting and the drinking capacities and potential of Burton and Harris but the film was completed and is more than watchable. Not you average date movie, but a good flick if you're in for one of those 50s/60s commando movies mixed in with a bit more timely "dirty government operations" stuff. A couple of beers on a rainy Saturday afternoon watching this is a perfect way to burn a few hours and enjoy what seems to be sort of a late 70s homage to those earlier commando flicks of earlier post WWII decades.

Hogan's Heroes meets Batman-like camp. Totally and utterly implausible and fluffy. A lot of dumb Germans, etc. But if you go int it thinking that way it's not THAT bad. After all, it is a movie. Lots of explosions and gunfire and flames. It looks like they had fun making it. A nice vacation for all involved. If not just a payday. weird jump to "current times" (1979?) at the end. I saw this twice as a kid at the local town theater. Probably had a pack of Sweettarts and a flat coke. End credits include "lingerie by.......". Definitely wouldn't pay $10+ to see it but if you catch it on cable, give it a try. I'm now trying to make the required 10 lines here for submission.

It's just great to watch so many people get together and try so hard to make a "good movie". All I can say is I'd like to build a time machine and go back to the premieres of these types of flicks as everyone must have had a good time. "Shakespeare in the Park" actors and just fun to watch. You don't need $100 million worth of CGI to keep you watching and being entertained. The music is key to the intensity!!! Stock footage of god knows what as well. Definitely 100% watchable under the proper conditions. Would make a good "bad drive in movie" list. As I've read elsewhere, cool "sci fi" doors on the time travel vessel and elevators (if bizarrely slow to open/close). Throw in the JO boss we've all have/had or remember from 60's/70's TV and cheers.