Review of The Dirty Dozen (1967) by William T — 03 Jan 2008
It's a World War II movie.
It's a Vietnam movie.
It's an Iraq movie.
Soon, it'll be an Iran movie.
Just wait.
Cold blooded, manipulative Lee Marvin-he brings out the worst in desperate men and makes it work to his advantage.
Sweaty browed, bright-eyed Richard Jaeckel-the ideal farmboy fascist, ready to crack that whip. Kind of like a Mini-Marvin, the Major's ever ready, ever hateful homunculus.
Magnificent Jack o' lantern headed Ernest Borgnine, ordering desperate men to certain death, laughing his goony head off the whole way to Valhalla in a fruitcake container.
Charles "Ready to Kill" Bronson-nuff said.
Telly "Ready to Violate" Savalas-Kojak before he was Kojak. Here, he incarnates a delightfully cracked religious nutjob with serious woman trouble. Actually, it's the woman that's in trouble around this degenerate.
Jim Brown didn't want this war-but he'll take it to the wall if it means a chance at freedom.
John Cassavetes would rather be stealing.
And a bunch of other dudes.
Thrill to this wild bunch of dudes as they blow up a chateau filled with Nazi officers and German civilians, most of 'em women. Like the saying goes, ladies first.
Best line:
"Free the Frenchmen, kill the Germans!".
Watch it!
This review of The Dirty Dozen (1967) was written by William T on 03 Jan 2008.
The Dirty Dozen has generally received very positive reviews.
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