Since I reviewed "Where Eagles Dare", I have to review the mother of all WWII action adventure flicks, "The Dirty Dozen"! It is a tremendous work worthy of respect, just as many other incredible tales have been. It is not in the incredibility of the subject, but rather in the craftsmanship that is evident in the work. We can all find fault with the realities of WWII, how could they do such and such a thing given the limitations of the time... but I view the "Dirty Dozen" as a rousing tale of adventure, told by a master raconteur. I am willing to suspend my disbelief for a good tale, regardless if it is true or not! After all, nobody asked Kipling if "Gunga Din" was real or not, did they?

First, we have an all-star cast: Lee Marvin, the mother of all tough guys; John Cassavettes, the mother of all wise guys; Donald Sutherland, the mother of all idiots; Trini Lopez, the mother of all singers-cum-actors; Charles Bronson, the mother of all ethnic heroes; Telly Savalas, the mother of all psychopaths; Jim Brown, the mother of all athletes turned actors; Ernest Borgnine, the mother of all sharp guys; Robert Ryan, the mother of all pompous asses... How can you go wrong with a cast like that?

Second, we have a script that is beyond reproach: who can forget the opening of the movie, where Reisman (Marvin) has to watch a condemned man hanged before he gets to meet with the brass to get his assignment?

Major Reisman is under a cloud. He may just lose those oak leaves unless his next assignment turns out well. And what an assignment: the mother of all combat missions! Penetrate an impenetrable German resort for high officers behind enemy lines, kill everybody he finds, and bring his unit back alive! You remember, I said you have to suspend your incredulity!

I will not rehash the entire story, my fellow epinionators have done an excellent job covering that. Suffice it to say, there are no holes in this presentation. The Dirty Dozen can still show Hollywood how to make a compelling action adventure film.

Those who enjoy this film will also want to see "Where Eagles Dare", "The Blue Max", "The Siege of Firebase Gloria", and "Paths of Glory", all compelling films concerning war that ask the viewer to suspend his disbelief!






Recommended: Yes