This story is seen as a Brit-flick, but it has to be said, was a fine American production, with the great Robert Aldrich at the helm. Previously having done the 'Dirty Dozen', a hard act to follow, a kind of 'Motley Crew', in came this film.
A group, as I say of misfits, though not criminal are pitted with a neurotic officer, played well by Denholm Elliott, with American Lieutenant Cliff Robertson, the obligatory American to get the 'States audience to watch it, one would imagine (Just like his star part in 633 Squadron) along with the annoying but definitely watchable role for Michael Caine, one of his best in my opinion, even though it's not a million miles away from his true cockneyed accent! (Nor the kind of parallel with the great film 'The Long and the Short and the Tall', with Laurence Harvey playing the loudmouth).
The plan is thus, for the group/platoon to eliminate a Japanese radio/communications station on the 'other side' of the Pacific island they both occupy. The jungle terrain of the interior is brought to life with the atmosphere of the sweat and later blood throughout the film as the platoon battle forward.
Robertson's Lieutenant is quite an eye-opener too. Much like the reluctant William Holden's 'officer' in the 'Bridge Over the River Kwai', although he's not a 'fake officer' like that part, he's still an incredible workshy, lazy, enjoying the sun, sea etc, as he's had the cushy job of only getting his commission due to the fact he's an interpreter. Now he has a rude awkening as, being an interpreter with regards to this Japanese radio problem he's duty-bound for his talent to accompany the platoon, into the interior of the island and with a gun. The nice thing about his role is, that although we had the impression his 'cush gig' is over, he actually makes a fine officer, with tactics and strategy etc all along being at odds with Caine (Pte Hearne) and the 'off his rocker' Hornby. (Elliott) As Hornby cops out, Robertson makes good. Hearne takes on as platoon medic making sarcastic and insulting, but sometimes valid comments all the way. "He's got about as much class as a syphillitic roadsweeper!" he says about one of his compadres! The platoon are also made up of some great British character actors putting in fine performances too. Ian Bannen as the Scots roughneck but keeping the likes of the slimy equally excellent Ronald Fraser in line is worth watching and of course the great Percy Herbert. Although some on IMDb have said they found the scenes too talky, I think they had this mix of action and words just right.
The memorable scenes are the opener, which shows the remnants of the first platoon in the film 'coming in', across a wide opening from the jungle, trying to beat their Japanese pursuers to their lines, exhausted, bedraggled and zig-zagging to avoid the Jap machine gun fire, whilst all along their Brit chums on their line are shouting them on to get across. This is also where the film ends with the remnants of this present platoon and quite a shock twist. We see the only remaining members making for their lines and not knowing who is going to make it - the two that do are Caine and Robertson. Harry Andrews as the CO is then seen looking down at the only surviving platoon member - and lo and behold, it's Caine who gets up. All along I was thinking obviously the American is going to make it, but I was glad it was Caine - not because I am British or biased, but because I didn't think it was the typical ending I expected. Perhaps some Americans may say the same about Caine, as he's British and it was a British platoon, I don't know. But it was an enjoyable film all the same and one of the best, as I have said, lesser-known/publicised WW2 flicks.
A group, as I say of misfits, though not criminal are pitted with a neurotic officer, played well by Denholm Elliott, with American Lieutenant Cliff Robertson, the obligatory American to get the 'States audience to watch it, one would imagine (Just like his star part in 633 Squadron) along with the annoying but definitely watchable role for Michael Caine, one of his best in my opinion, even though it's not a million miles away from his true cockneyed accent! (Nor the kind of parallel with the great film 'The Long and the Short and the Tall', with Laurence Harvey playing the loudmouth).
The plan is thus, for the group/platoon to eliminate a Japanese radio/communications station on the 'other side' of the Pacific island they both occupy. The jungle terrain of the interior is brought to life with the atmosphere of the sweat and later blood throughout the film as the platoon battle forward.
Robertson's Lieutenant is quite an eye-opener too. Much like the reluctant William Holden's 'officer' in the 'Bridge Over the River Kwai', although he's not a 'fake officer' like that part, he's still an incredible workshy, lazy, enjoying the sun, sea etc, as he's had the cushy job of only getting his commission due to the fact he's an interpreter. Now he has a rude awkening as, being an interpreter with regards to this Japanese radio problem he's duty-bound for his talent to accompany the platoon, into the interior of the island and with a gun. The nice thing about his role is, that although we had the impression his 'cush gig' is over, he actually makes a fine officer, with tactics and strategy etc all along being at odds with Caine (Pte Hearne) and the 'off his rocker' Hornby. (Elliott) As Hornby cops out, Robertson makes good. Hearne takes on as platoon medic making sarcastic and insulting, but sometimes valid comments all the way. "He's got about as much class as a syphillitic roadsweeper!" he says about one of his compadres! The platoon are also made up of some great British character actors putting in fine performances too. Ian Bannen as the Scots roughneck but keeping the likes of the slimy equally excellent Ronald Fraser in line is worth watching and of course the great Percy Herbert. Although some on IMDb have said they found the scenes too talky, I think they had this mix of action and words just right.
The memorable scenes are the opener, which shows the remnants of the first platoon in the film 'coming in', across a wide opening from the jungle, trying to beat their Japanese pursuers to their lines, exhausted, bedraggled and zig-zagging to avoid the Jap machine gun fire, whilst all along their Brit chums on their line are shouting them on to get across. This is also where the film ends with the remnants of this present platoon and quite a shock twist. We see the only remaining members making for their lines and not knowing who is going to make it - the two that do are Caine and Robertson. Harry Andrews as the CO is then seen looking down at the only surviving platoon member - and lo and behold, it's Caine who gets up. All along I was thinking obviously the American is going to make it, but I was glad it was Caine - not because I am British or biased, but because I didn't think it was the typical ending I expected. Perhaps some Americans may say the same about Caine, as he's British and it was a British platoon, I don't know. But it was an enjoyable film all the same and one of the best, as I have said, lesser-known/publicised WW2 flicks.