Teufels Brigade. The Devil’s Brigade is directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and adapted to screenplay by William Roberts from the book of the same name written by Robert H. Adleman and George Walton. It stars William Holden, Cliff Robertson, Vince Edwards, Harry Carey, Claude Akins, Andrew Prine, Richard Jaeckel, Jack Watson and Jeremy Slate. A Panavision/De Luxe Color production, music is by Alex North and cinematography by William H. Clothier. Based on real people and incidents, film follows the formation of the 1st Special Service Force (AKA: The Devil’s Brigade), their training and subsequent mission to seize control of Monte la Difensa, a Nazi stronghold during the Italian Campaign in World War II. Somewhere along the path of war movie history there was a wind of change that saw the all heroic soldier of sincerity replaced by the anti-hero thug! Where misfits, criminals and army bums were thrust into missions that gave them the chance of redemption or a semblance of honour via death. This format reached a pinnacle, arguably, with Robert Aldrich’s Magnificent Macho Movie, The Dirty Dozen (1967). A year later came The Devil’s Brigade, a film strikingly similar to The Dirty Dozen, yet unlike Aldrich’s movie is based on facts, it should also be noted that the novel The Devil’s Brigade was written in 1966. McLaglen’s movie follows the tried and tested formula, men from all w…

Being from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, this film has special significance, as there are still survivors from the actual 'Devil's Brigade'. This film was a hoot to watch and greatly enjoyable. Heartily recommended for those enthusiasts of war movies, and had just enough humour to be endearing rather than off-putting. Would make a fine double bill with the similarly-toned 'Three Kings' or 'Kelly's Heroes'.

Browse discussions about “The Devil's Brigade”

Jump to Reddit for live threads on this title.